Music Lessons in Santa Fe Springs, CA

Instruments: Flute

I began teaching 13 years ago though the Yamaha Teaching program, followed by giving private lessons 13 years ago back in my college years and have been teaching students all around the world since then, both in person in California, and through Zoom, online. I also offer college and career advisement as well as help in competition and audition preparations. Additionally, I am serving as a guest artist, giving masterclasses and coaching at the multiple different music festivals in the United States as well as adjudicate music competitions. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion

My first emphasis is that you have to like what you're playing. I really try to focus on what music gets the student excited. For some of them, it comes quickly. Others it might take a while, and that is okay. Once I find the switch that engages the student's interest, that is my focus. I really emphasize getting students to read music and also understand the key components of music theory, so that they understand what it is they are playing. Read More

Instruments: Drums

My teaching experience is 16 years deep starting with teaching drums and art in after school programs and to the point I have now in my day job where I work as a registered behavioral technician for Arcadia Unified School District in a moderate to severe autism classroom. I have a deep love for music and education, so bringing them together in my own way has been such a fulfilling experience. Read More

Instruments: Drums

In later years, I came to appreciate teaching more, because I learn a lot from my students as well. I teach drums out of my home studio in Van Nuys, CA. It is a private studio space in a friendly environment. Here I have 2 drum sets I can play with. I have happy students and we work on all kinds of different things. One of my drum students didn't even know how to play when she started! Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Recorder Euphonium Tuba

In my methods of teaching I typically like to focus on what the students want to get better at while also incorporating fundamentals and good habits. I feel that this gives the student the ability to choose what they want to do as well as my chance to show them the right way to learn it and create good habits while playing the instruments. Usually older students I try to focus more on fundamentals and I play through method books like Rochuts or for more advanced students maybe the Bitsch book. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar

I make an individualized curriculum for each of my students based on their learning desires and their talent levels. For beginning students it is important to learn standard techniques such as chords and techniques, I use songs and beginner method books based on a student's learning goals, age, and talent level for lesson materials. For intermediate students I teach sight reading using the Melodic Rhythms for guitar book by William Leavitt and jazz music theory. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Mallet Percussion

I really work hard to customize the lessons to each student, discussing with them (or their parent) what their goals are.  For beginning students who are children, I use a few great books, some of which I even learned out of when I took my first lessons at age 6. For older students, I try to be open to any material they're intrested in.  If a student  is set on learning to play Beach Boys songs, we don't spend so much time on the classic technique and rudiments BUT over the last 15 years I've developed a system of incorporating fundamentals into practical application that gets my students playing real songs right away while improving technique. Read More