Piano Lessons in Portola Valley, CA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

For voice, I will typically start with technique and breath. The first lesson is heavy in feeling the anatomy of the body to cultivate a coordinated breath for the most optimal and healthy singing. From there, we move into warm-ups, and will adjust vowels to find resonant spaces. Generally, with the voice, after the initial work with anatomy there is an improvisatory style of teaching that I develop, catered to the individual. Read More

Instruments: Piano Keyboard

I see no difference between method and style so I will just try to add more to what has already been mentioned. I think of myself as very supportive and encouraging but I believe in having standards. When a student does well I applaud them and let them know how happy I am to see their progress. I will also let a student know when they are not doing well and not meeting some reasonable expectations. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Flute Drums Ukulele Recorder Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

The key ingredient to learning is interest. I believe that my students need to have an interest in what they are playing so that they can keep their minds and spirits engaged. Rudiments require attention and practice, but there is much more to learning an instrument than just technique; passion also needs nurturing. If a student is really in to Star Wars, for example, I will gladly incorporate the 'Imperial March' into their rudimentary studies. Read More

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: Piano Voice Ukulele

I am a pragmatic teacher. I coach my students in order that they succeed in all areas of life, not just in the performing arts field. My lessons ensure that the students mind and body are working optimally. I published a thesis at Sonoma State University, which validates that those who sing and play piano, are more likely to attend graduate school as well as think with excellent cognitive ability. Read More

Instruments: Piano

However, I consider these method books as merely one of the tools of my teaching (very often, I do not follow exactly the order/content of the book, but design my own lesson plan using the aid of the book) - Because I believe I am responsible for most of the teaching, not the book. I also occasionally provide supplementary repertoire, as well as incorporating a limited amount of rote teaching. 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