Music Lessons in Woodside, CA

Instruments: Piano Guitar

I'm a multi-instrumentalist, improvisor, composer and educator who takes great joy in teaching and sharing music with people of all ages. I've been deeply fortunate to have studied closely with multiple master musicians of various traditions. Perhaps the teacher who has had the deepest impact on my teaching methods is W.A. Mathieu, former arranger and bandmember of the Duke Ellington and Stan Kenton orchestras. I studied with Mathieu for three years. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Music Electric Guitar

I always begin with an informal conversation to get to know your interests and music goals are. Depending on the instrument and objective, I might follow traditional curriculum, such as Hal Leonard or Alfred Music. In reality, every student has a different way to approach the music. My job as a teacher is finding out what makes you tick, and use that to cultivate your passion and develop a study practice. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For all of my students, I like to blend what they need to know and what they want to know. I find that especially teaching guitar, learning it is very goal oriented. My students and I always come up with their goals during each lesson so they can have something to work up to for each week. Practice does make perfect, so I do strongly encourage practicing at least a couple hours a day. 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: Drums

Technique: grip, stroke methods, posture, symmetry, breathing, set up. Rudiments: with and without metronome, increasing tempo by 5 bpm, great way to warm up for any lesson. Beats/Rhythms/Styles: rock, pop, jazz, funk, hip hop, reggae, Arab, African + more. Genre/style identifiers and characteristics. Independence: hands and feet exercises for fluidity and freedom of expression. Orchestration and Arrangement: utilizing the variety of percussion instruments available at the studio to demonstrate rhythms and sounds. 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 Trumpet Trombone Euphonium Tuba Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I first began taking private students in the 1990s, and continued to teach privately through my undergraduate years in the early 2000s. Though I stopped for some time to pursue artistic and professional ventures in music, I recently returned to the teaching realm, and am exciting to take on new students. In addition to private brass lessons, I have taught music in public schools through various non-profits and, above all, enjoy the light that comes on in a student's eyes when he/she "gets it." It is why I do what I do. Read More