Piano Lessons in Monte Sereno, CA

Instruments: Piano

My students are provided with a solid musical and technical foundation that allows them to feel comfortable in any of the countless musical contexts they will encounter as they embark on a life-long musical journey! Most piano methods books are "C and G-centric," causing students to learn to only feel comfortable playing on the white keys and then become either terrified or bewildered any time there is more than one sharp or flat in the key signature. 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 Voice Drums Music Keyboard

I have been teaching prviate music lessons in since 2008.  Currently I am only teaching remotely.  I currently teach piano, percussion, voice, theory, conducting, and eartraining.  Several of these will overlap during a student's curriculum over the years.  I also strongly encourage students to listen to music frequently and see live performances when they are able.  I incorporate music history and music theory into many lessons as well. When I am not teaching private music lessons, I work as the advanced music theory instructor and general music faculty at Cabrillo College. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Clarinet

I firmly believe that every student is different and therefore has their own learning style. it is very important for me to understand what their learning style is so that I can cater to that in our lessons. Through this methodology, I have found that my students have more productive lessons and grow faster as vocalists and piano players. Given that I believe every student is different, I will set goals for them based on how quickly they're able to make progress. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin

I like to teach at the student's pace or what their parents have in mind. When I learned piano, my parents wanted me to learn at a high pace, and forced me to rush everything. As a result, I was able to play a lot of pieces, but the quality of the songs were not the best. I ended up slowing down and spent time to actually work on the tiny details of each song. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Music Keyboard

The first lesson is always a trial lesson, in it I attempt to access where the student is musically. I also use the time to find out what the student's musical goals are . We look at things like reading, theory, dexterity on the instrument. If the student plays a wind instrument we look at things like embouchure and breathing. Once I have gotten a good idea as to the student's skill level and have spoken to the student about their musical goals and interests. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Trombone Euphonium

I encourage trombone mouthpiece exercises and long tones at the beginning of my lessons as proper embouchure flexibility is important to practicing and playing better. Breathing is another aspect that I look at and always breathe by expanding the diaphragm. I use the essential elements series for trombone beginners and melodious etudes for more experienced trombone players. I believe in breaking down difficult pieces into chunks to work on in order to improve upon more difficult passages. Read More