Dante Z
5.0
(15)
Instruments: Cello, Bass Guitar, Double Bass, Music
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Gospel, Musical Theater, Opera, Latin, Funk, Hip Hop, Showtunes, Reggae, Latin Jazz, Swing, New Age, Soul, Avant-garde
Dante Z
5.0
(15)
Instruments: Cello, Bass Guitar, Double Bass, Music
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Gospel, Musical Theater, Opera, Latin, Funk, Hip Hop, Showtunes, Reggae, Latin Jazz, Swing, New Age, Soul, Avant-garde
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 10-80
Berklee College of Music - World Tour Scholarship, 2019-2023
Berklee College of Music - Mike Gordon Scholarship, 2020
National-Level First Place Winner - NFMC Junior Composer Competition, 2014-2018
Hello! My name is Dante Z. I am a professional freelance musician, specializing on the electric bass, double bass, and the cello. In addition to my experience and training in playing almost every genre of music, I am also an experienced educator and an award-winning composer. Originally from Vernal, UT, I am currently based in Nashville, TN, working primarily as a live performer, studio musician, and music teacher. I graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2023. I originally started out on the cello before picking up composition, the double bass, voice, piano, organ, clarinet/bass clarinet, electric bass, bassoon, and more. I've been fortunate to have an extensive education, learning a great deal from some of the world's best musicians and music educators and also from some bad teachers, too, which taught me a lot about what not to do when I teach.
Teaching music has been one of my greatest musical passions for a long time. I've been teaching privately since I was about 14 years old, soon being recruited to teach in a new local music school, Music for Life, which was approved by the Royal Conservatory of Music and the Music Teachers National Association. Since, I have taught over a thousand students privately, in after-school jazz workshops, at music schools, and more. At Music for Life, I have taught individually for cello, double bass, electric bass, composition, theory, and more, as well as teaching a variety of group lessons, such as cello technique classes, theory classes, co-songwriting classes, and groove workshops. Additionally, I have experience adjudicating soloists, small ensembles, large high school bands and orchestras, and multiple pop, rock, and country groups. I have given well-attended presentations and group lessons on subjects such as theory, improvisation, ensembleship, and listening. I love to voluntarily visit school music programs to offer any advice or encouragement that he can to the youth in music. Please see my website for more: https://dzubel.wixsite.com/dantezubel/lessons.
My methods vary as I cater towards the individual and his/her respective needs and wants. Some of the methods and resources I draw from include the Suzuki Method, Effortless Mastery, and the philosophy of Music As A Language. Music is a language and I aim to teach it like one to the best of my ability. If I had to put it into one sentence, I would say that my overall personal goal and philosophy as a teacher is to teach myself out of a job. If I can heuristically teach my students musical fundamentals and, therefore, fundamental skills that are applicable to all aspects of life, all while teaching them how to teach themselves, I would consider that to be a great success, both for myself and for my students. Please see my Lesson Handbook for more, which can be found on my website here: https://dzubel.wixsite.com/dantezubel/lessons.
I strive to be an effective teacher who’s able to provide a catered, caring, and educated learning experience for my students. I like to grow with my students as well, hopefully learning just as much from them as they learn from me. To grow as a person is the ultimate goal for myself and for my students and we use music to get there. I like to believe that I have found many ways to create a fun, productive, and educational environment in my own home or in a separate teaching facility. Please see my Lesson Handbook for more, which can be found on my website here: https://dzubel.wixsite.com/dantezubel/lessons.
Halle Hacking (cello)
Dante is a phenomenal teacher. He was always so supportive whenever I felt like I didn't match up or I wasn't good enough, especially when entering a certain performance or competition. Yet, he still managed to give me good criticism that I could use in my performances to make my pieces influential. I have missed taking lessons from him as I appreciate his professional attitude and the way he follows through with what he says he is going to do. I've learned so much from watching the way he plays and expresses himself and by listening to the wise teachings he has. The lessons Dante taught me before going to college helped me realize that all your efforts pay off when you are prepared for performances. I was able to receive a full-tuition and housing scholarship to Southern Utah University through Dante's help with my cello audition. He stressed the importance of practice and how it really is so fundamental in developing your skills. He makes it very easy to understand how when someone plays, they should have a story that goes along with the piece, whether that be a made up story or one that can be attached due to the similarities of the notes and the plot line of the piece. He still supports me in college as I am studying cello performance, even though I am no longer his student. He gives so much expression to the music he plays. I want to one day be as expressive and influential as he was to me. Thank you, Dante!
Danny George
I took guitar lessons from Dante for about two years starting in my early 40s. My experience with him was amazing. I use the things he taught me every time I play. His grasp of theory and his wealth of knowledge is incredible and makes him an excellent teacher. Not only can I play guitar, but I have even written my own songs using what he taught me. Seriously one of the best learning experiences of my life.
Kathy F. (double bass)
In the late Spring and Summer of '21, I found myself retired and looking for a new hobby. I sang with a group of friends that played folk songs on the guitar, banjo, fiddle, and mandolin, so I decided I wanted to play upright bass. I had some music knowledge, but had never played this instrument before. Dante was very thorough, patient, and kind in his instruction of how this instrument is held, fingering techniques, etc. He also taught me a lot of theory I missed as a piano student. Because I wanted to play with the group sooner rather than later, he let me learn with the same music the group was playing. I was able to perform at a festival and farmer's market after just a couple months. All too soon, he had to leave town for Boston, but he gave this senior citizen a new hobby and talent that will last a lifetime. I would definitely like to lessons from him again!
Breanna Lynn
Dante was my teacher for about 3 summers while I was in high school and it was pretty cool. We talked about jazz and how to make my overall playing playing better. Him being a string guy and myself a brass guy didn't stop him from being willing and able to help me out. He still found ways to improve not only my knowledge on the theory behind what I was working on, but also my musicality and playing. He was always a great teacher and would be highly recommended by anyone who has been fortunate enough to work with him.
Jill Boyd, composer
It’s a story: Dante’s lessons changed my life in a profound way. I studied from him as an adult; from 2017-currently (yes, I still use him for music editing, copying, and occasionally orchestrating). I believe I was in my early 30’s when I started taking from Dante and, over the past 8 years, I’ve found he’s the best teacher I’ve ever taken from. I live 3 hours away from any college that teaches music, so one-on-one was my only option; and I think I got lucky taking the path that I did! I went from local piano teacher, to resident composer and professional composer, all due to the foundational principles of composition, arrangement, notation, and music delivery that Dante taught me. He taught the history of string instruments. We covered the history of hymns when I needed to write one for a competition. He assisted with feedback on which songs were best to perform when I recorded my first studio album at an iconic historical studio in Hollywood. He brought me to the level I needed to be at in my mindset. With every piece of music I wrote, he helped to edit, structure; make sure the notes and chords were written correctly. Any question I threw at him he knew a solution for. I cannot recommend him enough for being not only a teacher, but also: music editor, orchestrator, copyist, studio musician, performer. I watched him perform on stage with professionalism in many venues; from the orchestra to live bands. He is top-tier and anyone who has the privilege of working with him will be impacted in a similar way.
Check out our A+
Rating from the Better Business Bureau
100% Risk-Free Trial Lesson
If you are not satisfied after your trial lesson, you will not be charged and we can match you with another teacher.