Piano Lessons in Rocklin, CA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Trumpet Fiddle French Horn Electric Guitar

While in high school and college, I mostly tutored other students in history, chemistry, and math. However I worked as a private instructor for students learning violin and guitar for much of 2017. I was trained classically in violin in the Suzuki method, took rock/folk-based instruction in guitar, and learned brass and percussion through my high school marching band, which also doubled as a concert ensemble for half of the school year. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

For children, I begin with Donald Waxman's Pageant for Piano series. The pieces are quite fun, and also good for technique. The illustrations also offer many opportunities for story-making and engagement. For adults, I begin with James Bastien's The Older Beginner Piano course, and for intermediate learners, supplement it with pieces from Bartok's Mikrokosmos, Czerny, Kabalevsky, Burgmuller's 24 Etudes, duets and various other literature as appropriate. Improvisational skills may also be taught. Read More

Instruments: Piano

For children or beginner students I start out with the simple basics of the piano and get them familiar with the piano keys.I then introduce theory to them slowly and learn how to read music. I teach composition, theory, performance, ear training, reading and much more. If the student has already had lessons prior I assess what level they are at and then I come up with a lesson plan to teach with. Read More

Instruments: Piano

Besides piano, my other emphasis is composition. My senior project was a song cycle using texts from poems by Robert Frost and was scored for soprano, mezzo-soprano and piano.  I received my Bachelor’s degree from UC Davis in Music and Psychology in 2009. As an active member in the Music Teachers Association of California (MTAC), I have held numerous positions in the Yolo County Branch. I have recently finished my tenure as Branch President and in the past I have been Recording Secretary and Chair of the Composer's Today Program, a program designed to encourage student composers with an annual recital to showcase their original works. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar

It wasn't until I was 12 years old that I really started to play and learn guitar, being further motivated by my brother who was just learning guitar himself. We started out learning songs by Metallica and Led Zeppelin. Later, I took a deep interest in learning blues, classical, jazz, and more classic rock like Chuck Berry, Jimi Hendrix, Santana etc. After years of studying and practice, I believe I have a firm grasp of music theory, how to play different styles of music, and the ins and outs of guitar playing. 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 Voice Organ Synthesizer Keyboard

Smiley has studied piano since the age of 5 and has been fortunate to study with the Carl Wheeler the musician who wrote and played for Tony Toni tone, as well as Beyonce and high profile headliners. Smiley has played for celebrity singers including Carlos Santana, comedian Tommy Davidson, as well as John Witherspoon. He a Degree in music from the University of Berklee, and has taught piano and voice since 2005. he enjoys working with people and uses his patience and perceptiveness to communicate music to others. Read More