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AA, El Camino College
Attended Sonoma State University
Certificate of Completion: Recording Engineering at UCLA
Studied with Metropolitan Opera Singer: Geraldine Decker
Studied with John Novello of "Contemporary Keyboardist"
2007 - Present Performing countrywide at Universities and Performing Arts Centers
Recipient of Arts in Education Grants - City of Ventura, CA
Recipient of Arts Grants to perform concerts - Brooklyn, NY
Teaching private music lessons over 20 years
No. 1 Billboard World Artist for "Four Celtic Voices" ensemble
I am an enthusiastic and upbeat teacher always looking for new ways to inspire my student's to learn a vast repertoire of music in several styles. Having great pride in individually designed lessons, it is of prime importance to keep lessons both educational and entertaining. Music is a gift to be enjoyed.
I also am a strong believer of participating in Music Recitals with my students at least once/year as it facilitates a passion for sharing our gifts together!
A comprehensive and fun upbeat approach to music including repertoire building, ear training, theory and much more!
In college, at age 18, I was asked to tutor beginning piano students via my advanced piano teachers. I have always enjoyed sharing my knowledge and look forward to many more years of fun and upbeat lessons to share with my students.
Acknowledging that technique and theory is important, I encourage students to practice some scales and chords without it being a centrifugal type of focus. Blending both technique and piano skill in an entertaining and interesting style is paramount as music is supposed to be fun!
For beginning students who are children, I usually start with Bastien Primer as I find it a good way to get started. From there, I find the Alfred Series helpful to bring the students through Levels 1 and 2. Faber & Faber books are extremely popular with students of all ages and therefore we focus on the Classics and Pop Series.
We begin immediately to learn songs by heart as it's an important part of all musicians' journey to memorize songs and build a wide selection of repertoire.
For adults, I enjoy the Alfred Adult Beginners Course books.
Many times I will begin a lesson with a question such as "What is your favorite song at this time?" Then we will play that song to get the student in the mood (especially if he or she is a little tired after school).
My goal for each student is to initially cover their assignments while keeping space open for new questions and conversation for future songs the student is interested in pursuing.
I was most pleasantly surprised recently when one of my students asked to learn one of my original songs called "Timberline Jig"!
Celeste is a great teacher and has made me to be a better player. I have learned lots and she makes it very fun to learn.