Cortnee L
5.0
(2)
Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Voice, Violin, Viola, Ukulele, Keyboard, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Folk, Country, Musical Theater, Showtunes, Spirituals, Soul
Cortnee L
5.0
(2)
Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Voice, Violin, Viola, Ukulele, Keyboard, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Folk, Country, Musical Theater, Showtunes, Spirituals, Soul
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 4-80
Bachelor Degree: San Francisco State University
I am a San Jose music instructor specializing in voice, songwriting, beginning-intermediate guitar, piano and violin. I have extensive training and experience in music, theater and dance, on and off stage - I have written and recorded albums and live performances, I know what works and what doesn't. It's my objective to cultivate a healthy sense of artistry in my students and inspire the same in everyone who is interested. As a professional musician and performance artist, I am interested in creating insightful performance art and sharing my process with my students.
Music has always been a part of my life. I became involved in music, theater and dance at a young age, performing in countless professional productions. In my teens and early adulthood, I began writing and recording music and became involved in a number of recording projects that led me to teaching. I gave my first lesson over a decade ago and I continue to perform when I can. I graduated from Interlochen Arts Academy with concentrations in Theater and Music, and I worked for Women's Audio Mission in San Francisco. I worked in numerous music studios and performance non-profits before opening my own studio. I look forward to working with you!
I typically perform an assessment with every individual during the first lesson. Depending on goals, I will recommend curriculum to achieve the desired results. If a classical approach is desired, I use the Alfred's Basic Piano series and the Hal Leonard method for guitar, along with scale and chord theory literature depending on the level of the student. I also teach jazz/pop accompaniment style improv playing so I print music out from various sources. On violin I teach from Suzuki and assorted fiddle books, as well as scale and arpeggio literature.
'm here to motivate and inspire. There is no one right approach to learning music and I'm adept at understanding how each individual learns. I can help to formulate and achieve goals or simply offer an expressive outlet that is safe, enlightening and encouraging. I offer mentorship and help with choices, in a professional or recreational capacity, within the music and entertainment fields. I facilitate the most enjoyable approach to practice so my students develop skills, confidence and a love of music.
Christy K
Cortnee brings incredible energy and compassion to every interaction and I highly recommend her as a music teacher. Earlier this year, I attended one of Cortnee's recitals that she put on for her students so they could share/perform their musical skills. She went above and beyond, bringing all sorts of amplification, microphones, and a mixing board so the students could hear themselves amplified in a professional way. After the recital, families crowded around her, eager to tell her what a valuable experience it has been receiving her lessons. One parent even shared that Cortnee's sessions seemed to be more helpful than the therapy sessions her daughter was receiving. As a long-time friend of Cortnee, it was an honor to witness all the love and appreciation that everyone had for Cortnee and to see the powerful impact she was having on people's lives. Cortnee has lived a life focused on music: traveling the country as a kid as a part of a musical theater company, going to art school for music, singing in church choirs, performing in bands, and devoting herself to writing/recording her own gorgeous songs. Cortnee has a real gift for songwriting and conveying complex emotions with powerful metaphors and striking visuals. I think one of her gifts as a teacher is as a coach for anyone wanting to dip their toes into songwriting and composing their own music. Cortnee is also very sensitive to the pressures that society can put on young girls and women in the music industry, and in this way, she is a protective mama bear with her students, giving them support and advice on how to guard themselves against the pressures that might be put on them while walking the musical path. Cortnee is a powerful mentor in this way to the young girls that she has taught.
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