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24 Years
Since We Started
41,456+
Happy Customers
10,769
Cities with Students
3,123
Teachers in Network
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Here are just a few of the many teachers offering Piano lessons in Palo Alto . Whether you are looking for beginner guitar lessons for your kids, or are an adult wanting to improve your skills, the instructors in our network are ready to help you now!
Instruments: Piano Voice Drums Music Keyboard
I work with my students at the level and pace that they are comfortably happy. We all come to music and music lessons for different reasons. My work is to honor that space and demonstrate that making music is an option for anyone who wants it, regardless of any perceived “barriers” in place. I am currently learning and researching models of Universal Design for Learning. I apply as many techniques as possible to engage with students and make the music both cognitively appropriate and musically enjoyable. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Keyboard Acoustic Guitar
My teaching experience dates back to high school, when I tutored fellow students in Mathematics. I went on to teach music at UC Santa Cruz as a member of the music department, including teaching an original course I developed entitled "Sound, Listening, and Consciousness". My dissertation research included inquiries into cognition, learning, as well as educational methods and the ways that humans learn. I have given talks about this work, and consider myself to be an educational professional, as well as a pedagogue. Read More
Instruments: Piano Organ
I love forming partnerships with my students. When we work together, we begin to speak the same language and work toward your goals in a positive way. You will have an opportunity to play music from various styles and musical periods. There is no predestined path here. I tried that when I was in my 20's, and learned very quickly that every student is different. Everyone's paths diverged, and all those notes I had taken to plan ahead for the next six months didn't work at all. Read More
Instruments: Piano Trumpet
I'm a caring, straight-forward and passionate instructor who believes anyone can achieve greatness when it comes to music. I graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Music in Trumpet Performance. I received my Master's Degree in Trumpet Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. I have performed in many countries including Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Czech Republic, Austria, China, Taiwan and Japan in venues such as the Kennedy Center, the Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and the Berlin Philharmonie. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Flute Drums Ukulele Recorder Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Acoustic Guitar
My experience in teaching dates back to my time in college, where I coached a few music education majors on the flute. Since then, I have offered my expertise towards community flautists, Emeritus band flute players, and a wide range of percussion and flute students. I am committed to the advancement of my students and feel really encouraged to see them grow and change. From younger to older - beginning, intermediate, or advanced - I will always try my hardest to keep you engaged and moving forward. Read More
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 Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Music Keyboard
After I graduated high school in 2007 I began teaching wind instruments in a friend's private music school as a way to earn money while in college. As I studied music in college and played in as many groups as possible, I became a more established musician and the number of student's who wanted to learn from me grew. In addition local schools began reaching out and invited me to teach clinics and classes to aid their band programs. Read More
Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet Oboe
If you play more than one instrument, how did you decide to start playing the second? (Or 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc)!
I started playing clarinet because the private sax teacher I had during high school insisted that I learn. I'm glad I did. I'm not as accomplished on clarinet as I am on sax and oboe but I can hold my own on most pieces. If you want to improve your technique as a woodwind player, I highly recommend learning clarinet. I chose oboe while in the military because I wanted to get promoted. In the army at the time, oboe was a shortage instrument and saxophone was not so I started taking oboe lessons. I had no idea I would fall in love with the instrument.
Does music run in your family? Tell us a little about your musical family members.
Music did not run in the family I grew up in. I'm the only one of five children that play any instrument. My sister begged my parents for a clarinet then it sat under her bed for 3 months. My father used to say, "The only thing I can play is the radio." My children on the other hand are very musical. One of my daughters took guitar lessons for a while and was very good. Her teacher would end up staying an extra 30 minutes many times because he loved teaching her. As I mentioned in an earlier post my son Ruben is very good.
When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
As a military musician I was already being paid to play but I think the defining moment came when I saw friend's band performing in Germany. My friends R&B group was better than anything I had ever heard. I grew up near Atlanctic city and have heard awsome casino bands. My friends band was better. At that moment I sarted getting involve in different groups. When I retired from the army I started finding places to play. Within a couple of years I had work myself up to playing 5 and 6 nights a week.
If you weren't a musician what do you think you'd be doing instead?
If I weren't a musician I would be a carpenter. I think carpenters are one the greatest professions around. Being able to take wood and build a house is an amazing thing to me. Then you have the specialist like cabinet makers. I met a master carpenter from Ireland many years ago, he made the most amazing cabinet with hand carved features with Teak panels. I love everything about carpentry, the smell of the different woods. The sanding, the staining, look of the grain. I guess making a woodwind instrument like an oboe, clarinet, or bassoon would kind of be like a master carpenter.
What is your favorite style/genre of music to play and why?
I have several favorites, I don't think anyone has just one favorite style unless they are the most boring person in history. I guess my first favorite to play would be R&B because that's what I grew up listening to. Next would be Jazz just because there are so many directions to go in. When I was around 28 years old I rented to movie Black Orpheus. Ever since watching that movie I have been in love with old Brazilian music. I'm talking about Jobim, Bonfa, Gilberto era Bossa Nova music. The genres I have mentioned are timeless. Every time I perform this music heads turn and start to nod to the beat.
What is your dream piece to perform and why?
I have several dream pieces of music I wish to perform. All of them would be to test my abilities. The first piece I would love to master and perform is by Yellowjackets, the piece is called "Out of Town." It's like a modern Bebop tune. Another piece is by Michael Franks call "You Belong to Me." It's not hard technically but its a Bossa Nova which is one of my favorite styles of music. Joshua Redman has a piece a called Hide and Seek. It's a just a blues progression but he wrote a Kick-A melody that would take me a few weeks to learn. On oboe one of my favorite pieces is Trios Pieces for Woodwind quintet. It just very challenging for oboe I love it1
24 Years
Since We Started
41,456+
Happy Customers
10,769
Cities with Students
3,123
Teachers in Network
Trusted as the industry leader, for over 21 years the teachers in our network have been providing Piano lessons in Palo Alto to students of all ages and abilities.
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