Piano Lessons in Salmon Creek, CA

Instruments: Piano Voice

I have been teaching piano for over twenty years. My teaching philosophy is that every piano lesson should be fun. For young beginners, I focus on basic technique. The reason is that it is very important to form good playing skills right from the beginning. For older students, I broaden their musical knowlege by introducing piano literature from different time periods. I also encourage them to pick songs that they like to play. Read More

Instruments: Piano Keyboard

Stiffness is the enemy of piano playing and it can also cause harm to tendons, ligaments, etc.... I always give exercises to illustrate the different "touches" (finger dexterity, legato, staccato, singing-tone, octaves, etc...) used in playing the piano. It is also very important to have a good sense of musical style - baroque, classical, romantic, modern, etc... I focus on being as true as possible in honoring what I believe to be the wishes of the composer. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet

If you are beginning and are a child, then Hal Leonard's Essential Elements is a very general and safe place to start. I firmly believe that establishing a solid set of fundamentals is a great place to start. It is important to not lose motivation during this period, progress is rewarding and it gets even better! After a solid foundation is established fundamentally, the individual is opened into a musical world with limitless possibilities. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Ukulele Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I believe in encouragement, fun and positive focus on the students progress at whatever speed that they progress. This makes each student look forward to each lesson with eagerness and actually accelerates their progress. I never push a student and instead encourage and edify the student and try to use their own favorite pieces of music to keep them excited about their next lesson. Acknowledging small progress is the key and I never let a student leave without celebrating their accomplishments no matter how small! Read More

Instruments: Piano Trombone

Trombone - I utilize the books Abrams and Rochut-Melodious Etudes. I develop custom curriculum for each students level and learning style. At the first lesson, I evaluate what the student wants to get out of the lessons, what sparks their interests in music, and skill level. From there, I share exercises from the books, exercises I create for developing certain skills, and later on, creation or exercises by the student. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I fell in love with music at the young age of four years old. I began taking lessons then and studied music formally until I was twenty years old. I went on to play in several bands, compose songs and musical scores and make recordings. I have a lot of experience teaching classical and pop music styles and I have a lot of patience. After high school, I began setting my poems to music which led to a reenactment of the well-known songwriter fable, moving from Toronto, Ontario, to California to follow my dream of becoming a successful songwriter. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Ukulele Music Keyboard

Hi! My name is Willa, and I've been teaching music for twelve years! I began learning piano at age four, and it became a deeper and deeper passion as the years passed. I dedicated myself to my craft and went on to become a Perry & Walters Music Foundation Scholar, attending Harding University and graduating Cum Laude with my BA in Music (emphasis in piano). I taught for a time in Searcy, (privately, and with the Searcy Community School of Music) and started a weekly music therapy program at a school for kids with mental and physical disabilities (The Sunshine School). Read More