Music Lessons in Santa Catalina, CA

Instruments: Piano Voice Ukulele

Since I'm focusing on voice lessons, I work with all students on being aware of their breathing. Having the right breathing patterns (since there are many varieties) is what can give you the edge and really bring out the best voice inside of you. Honestly, I mostly will give students recent pop songs that are good for the voice unless one is a stickler for classical songs, in which I sometimes use the 24 Italian Art Songs and Arias. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Music

I believe in the power of demonstration and playing along with the students. I also encourage students to practice vocal-instrumental coordination when establishing the concepts of musical expression within structures. I adopt some ear training for younger students as they develop a sense of pitch and theoretical knowledge for adults who learn better with checkpoints. I design and adjust learning plans constantly for individual students as they learn and help them with specific goals, long-term and short-term, and have achieved them 100% of the time. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

I have been teaching for the past 11 years and have had a full studio of 20-25 students during that time. Over the past four summers I have also directed chamber music and fiddle music camps. I specialize in starting very young children on the violin, as young as age 2, although depending on the child starting between ages 3-6 is ideal. It is very important to me to tailer my teaching to each student and their developmental and musical level. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I believe music is about expression and it is rewarding to find a way to help students to develop their own style. Therefore, it is important to know the student's needs and wants in order to establish a lesson plan. After reaching this first step it is easy to create some goals for each lesson. When the student feels that his needs and wants are fulfilled in the lessons, s/he gets more confident to work on new challenges. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I tend to use standard materials, especially for beginning players. But I will also mix in exercises and techniques tailored specifically to the students needs. It is good to learn from books, but also important to vet information that is not necessarily needed or already soundly in their techniques. Every musician is unique and they have their own way about learning and progressing. For more advanced students, learning as much repertoire as possible will be stressed. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

For younger beginning students, I typically use a method book, such as Accent on Achievement or something similar. For older beginners, I typically use the Rubank beginner's book. With this book, the student learns the fundamentals for their instrument. Once the student demonstrates an understanding of this, we will move on to sheet music. For more advanced students, we will typically use an etude book like Klose to explore the technical aspects of musical performance (such as technique development, phrasing, dynamics, etc.). Read More

Instruments: Trombone Bass Guitar Euphonium

I began teaching trombone and bass after my first years of college at Cal State L.A. and went on to become a clinician and teacher in Los Angeles teaching trombone, bass, and percussion as well as working with musicians and conducting clinics around the U.S. and the world while touring and during my time as a cultural ambassador for the U.S. State Department. I now teach primarily from my home in Los Angeles and have had great success inspiring my students to progress. Read More