Piano Lessons in El Cerrito, CA

Instruments: Piano Voice Keyboard

Ive been teaching music since I was a teenager. Ive taught at various music schools in New York and also California. Ive worked with very young beginners as well as seniors who are beginning. Ive worked with people who have all kinds of learning and physical disabilities. I really love teaching (people who want to be taught and who love music). I dont love people who are being forced to take lessons. Read More

Instruments: Piano Ukulele Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

I'd say my teaching style is first tailored to each individual student- their learning style, their genre interest, and their goals. Some student respond to more traditional classical structure, and some respond to improvisation as a way of learning musical concepts. What's exciting is finding out which style each student has, and always come back to the joy keeps them motivated. While I am flexible in this regard, I do have specific practice assignments and repetition exercises that are the work of learning an instrument. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Synthesizer Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I think of two things as being central to my teaching style: Fun, and Growth. I think too many music lessons dry out the material, and suck the fun out of something that should be inherently joyful! I try to make every music lesson interesting, and keep my students engaged by giving them material that gets them hyped. Second, I think music is a great chance for people to experience the joy in Growth. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I have started piano students off with Piano Adventures Primer Lessons and Theory, and have taught adults using the Alfred Basic Adult Piano Course. I do have students learning from John Thompson's Teaching Little Fingers How to Play method (moves more quickly than Piano Adventures), and have a Blues Piano student learning from various sources including How to Play Boogie Woogie (Hal Leonard/Wise). I teach beginning guitar using the Hal Leonard Guitar Method, also Mel Bay's Modern Guitar Method, and Mel Bay's Fun With Strums. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Organ Synthesizer

Progress is made at the student's own pace. I try to set goals that are both far-reaching and realistic. Anything is possible if you don't give up too easily! I've used a variety of different lesson books in the past. It's important to note that the Bastien piano books, as well as the Clark, Faber, and Alfred methods all play to different strengths. Since different students respond better to different methods, I try to incorporate some variety which focuses on several concepts: developing ear-training (i.e. picking up melodies and chords from ear) as well as sight-reading, technique, and choosing interesting repertoire. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I couldn't imagine my life without teaching. To nurture a love for music in another, especially a child, is a gift I would not give up. I strive to find the correct balance of technique and performance, practice and play, focus and fun for each of my students. Every one of them comes to me with different skills, ambitions, and needs; building honest, open relationships with student, parent, and teacher is essential to meeting those needs. Read More

Instruments: Piano

Being a daughter of a piano teacher, music has always been the most indispensable part of my life - Having a master of music degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy (Bowling Green State University) and a bachelor of music degree in Music Education (San Jose State University), my education humbles me and elevates my uttermost love and unspeakable crying need for music. I've had the honor to study with some of the most renowned pianists, including Dr Gwendolyn Mok (whose teacher's teacher was Maurice Ravel/doctorate from Stony Brook University), Dr Namik Sultanov (doctorate from Moscow Conservatory), Dr Solungga Liu (doctorate from Eastman School of Music), and Michael Lewin (graduated from Juilliard School). Read More