Piano Lessons in West Menlo Park, CA

Instruments: Piano

Being a daughter of a piano teacher, music has always been the most indispensable part of my life - Having a master of music degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy (Bowling Green State University) and a bachelor of music degree in Music Education (San Jose State University), my education humbles me and elevates my uttermost love and unspeakable crying need for music. I've had the honor to study with some of the most renowned pianists, including Dr Gwendolyn Mok (whose teacher's teacher was Maurice Ravel/doctorate from Stony Brook University), Dr Namik Sultanov (doctorate from Moscow Conservatory), Dr Solungga Liu (doctorate from Eastman School of Music), and Michael Lewin (graduated from Juilliard School). Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Organ

It is important that each student progresses at their own pace with reasonable and realistic goals that they can reach. Acknowledging accomplishments helps fuel a students desire to achieve even greater challenges. My desire is to find what motives the student and create a curriculum that will refine them based on their desire. Read More

Instruments: Piano Organ

I try my very best to avoid criticism, encourage curiosity, and open doors at every lesson. Constant criticism can put a permanent damper on a student's love of music. Exploration can lead to a lifetime of enjoyment! In the Photo Gallery above, the first pic is of David, age 6-1/2, playing organ for the first time. He has been watching me play during a church service, so I offered to show him a few things. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Organ Synthesizer

I have no hard strict rules when it comes to teaching, because every student is different and they all learn at different speeds in different ways. I've taught out of the following books: Bastien Piano Basics Alfred Piano Method Faber Method John Thompson's Teaching Little Fingers to Play For more advanced students, I'm open to spending on time on whatever concepts they most want to cover. I also have a broad repetoire of jazz and classical as well as modern pop, rock, and even country and TV Themes to select from if the student has a specific style or song in mind.  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 Voice

I began taking piano lessons when I was about four years old and voice lessons when I was seven. I was involved in Certificate of Merit for voice and for piano. I studied music at UC Santa Cruz and graduated in 2012. I was exposed to many contemporary pieces and had a wonderful experience in a small but strong department. I have continued singing since graduating and love sharing music and the vocal technique I learned in my undergrad. Read More

Instruments: Piano Keyboard

With others, we work on reading and learning to sightread effectively. Others are very creative and I teach them how to compose and do improvisation. I have taught and overseen instructional programs so I understand everyone learns differently and I customize to teach different learning style. I also pick music the student loves. Students learn to play much faster and are more engaged if they can do music they love. Read More