Piano Lessons in Courtland, CA

Instruments: Piano Voice Ukulele Keyboard

For beginning and intermediate students on piano, I generally teach out of Piano Adventures as a supplement, but teach other songs the student requests. For voice lessons, I tailor my supplemental book teaching to the students individual learning abilities, as well as learning songs they are passionate about. My philosophy on learning music is that a students should NEVER play a song that they hate! I tailor my instruction accordingly to keep lessons engaging and fun, no matter what their skill level. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Piccolo Music

I incorporate method books into all of my lessons, as well as any technique books that are appropriate for each specific student. The method books that I begin with are Essential Elements, the I Recommend series, Standard of Excellence, and Tradition of Excellence. The technique books depend on the specific instrument and ability level. I feel that it is very important to get every student playing actual sheet music as soon as possible, regardless of skill level. Read More

Instruments: Piano Cello

For ten years, I have been teaching successfully from my home studio, teaching students of all ages and with different music backgrounds.In 2015 I joined The J St Orchestra in Sacramento, CA playing the cello under the direction of Krystyna Taylor. This year also, I've had the oportunity to partner with the Sacramento Performing Arts Conservatory to teach a music program in an elementary school in Elk Grove,CA Read More

Instruments: Piano Clarinet

Playing piano is my greatest reward in life, being able to bring a smile to a face of any age. After graduating from Cal Poly with a concentration in performance and theory, I was musical director of The Great American Melodrama and Vaudeville theater. I was able to broaden my horizons performing, teaching, composing and arranging all different styles of music.and can even play piano upside down now! I was also music director of a local Christian church which has enabled me to become proficient in sacred/praise music as well. Read More

Instruments: Piano Bass Guitar

My experience as a musician goes back to when I tinkered around on an organ as a young child, then continued when I started formal piano lessons. As an adult, I have performed on bass guitar in two bands and participated on an ongoing basis in church worship bands, which involves learning a new set of songs for every service. During college, I began as a music major and received further training on piano as well as took three semesters of music theory courses. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I like to use supplementary materials if a method book isn't covering musical territory that the student wants to explore. Although I insist a student learn to read music, I encourage learning by ear and have helped students find a melody on the piano by ear rather than reading notes. Patience is my watchword but I will always encourage and document practice times. I tell the student, you can't achieve your music goals without practice, preferably every day. 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