Music Lessons in The Haight, CA

Instruments: Piano Flute Music

Learning about music involves so much more than technique or scales, but also relies so much on their emotions and mindset. I want to prioritize their own independence within these lessons in regards to choosing their own repertoire or experimenting with their own compositional style so that they can embrace how liberating and fun learning about music and being creative can be, rather than seeing it as a chore! I also want to make sure that their musical journey is built with the right mindset - a lot of the time there is unnecessary toxic, competitive energy within other musicians which defeats the whole purpose of inspirational collaboration that can come from playing music with others. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Conga Latin Percussion

I like students to learn their favorite songs while learning technique, such as scales and chords, as well as music theory.   Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet

From 1981-1993, I was the music director for URCS, a private school in Long Island, NY. I developed pedagogy and taught the high school band and choir. Since 1985, I have taught private lessons. Many of my students have gone on to be professionals in the industry. I absolutely love seeing my students click with understanding on their faces when they get the next piece of the puzzle they may have been missing regarding their playing. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice

For voice, I like to start with making sure the placement is good and that the tone begin produced is nice and full. After that working on moving smoothly though notes while keeping the voice aligned, handling vowels and consonants, and gradually extending range. Repertoire is used to help support the lessons and gradually increases with the ability of the student. For guitar, in either the styles that use a flatpick or the finger-styles, I like to build a library of chords and progressions linked to an understanding of keys and scales (music theory). Read More

Instruments: Flute Piccolo

I have been teaching since college, where I frequently filled in as a substitute for private and group lessons and offered coaching to other music students who were pursuing flute as a secondary instrument. I then taught several students at several middle schools during my time in Texas for my master's. Now, I hold a private studio for private lessons in person and over Zoom. I love teaching and encourage my students to both develop discipline and great practice habits as well as have fun and pursue their individual interests on the instrument. Read More

Instruments: Piano Organ

Teaching piano classes is something I continued at UMass/Amherst with Continuing Education students who were mostly from foreign countries. I thrive on meeting people from all age groups and skill levels. Collaborating with others is what floats my boat! I will ask questions to clarify what you are thinking without using musical jargon. (It can be done!) My goal has evolved with experience. Facilitating my students' understanding of music has the wonderful result of their increased enjoyment in listening to recordings and attending live performances. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

I mix theory, ear training, and intrumental technique into each lesson. I believe it is important for a student to not only be able to play a song, but to understand, and hear it on a high level as well. I teach my students how to listen to themselves while they are playing, which is the difference between and OK musician and a great musician. Read More