Viola Lessons in Baldwin Park, CA

Instruments: Violin Cello Viola Double Bass

I am teaching the students by wide range from beginners to most advanced. I use Suzuki method combined with traditional teaching materials and traditional teaching methods for advanced students. For younger students, I mainly use Suzuki teaching method, combined with etudes, like Alwin Schroeder's 170 Foundation Studies. Teaching all age group students with scales as well. For older or advanced students, I teach mainly with traditional method, etudes, like Dotzauer, Franchomme, Merk, Kummer, Gruetzmacher, Piatti and Popper etc. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder Fiddle French Horn Piccolo Oboe

For stringed instruments, I uses the Suzuki method for teaching the basic repertory of the instruments. This method is an ear training method in which the student plays by ear. It starts out very simple so students of all ages can learn and progress very quickly. For learning to read music I use one of the method books like "A Tune a day" or Strictly Strings which teach the fundamentals of read music and music theory. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer Harp Accordion Harmonica Lap Steel Guitar Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Recorder Lute Electric Violin Fiddle Double Bass Euphonium French Horn Tuba Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Shakuhachi Oboe Bassoon English Horn Conga Latin Percussion Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Most recently Derek was the lead trombonist of the 2018 Disneyland All-American College Band. He has recently performed with Wayne Bergeron, Gordon Goodwin, Dave Holland, Randy Brecker, Dave Liebman, Jimmy Heath, Shaun Martin, Christian Jacob, John Beasley, Troy Roberts, Frank Greene, Brian Lynch, Jeff Jarvis, Steve Houghton, Jiggs Whigham, Sal Lozano, and John Clayton. Derek has had recent performances at Dizzys Club Coca-Cola, the Smithsonian Institute, and the New World Symphony. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Viola Mandolin Keyboard

I also have great expertise working with retired active senior citizens. I headed up the gerontology arts division for Orange Coast College/Coastline College and taught music/acting at active senior sites for over 14 years. Many of my current students are retired seniors. I have written several text books on jazz theory, jazz piano, jazz vocal and musicology subjects that are used by schools and universities. As a professor of University of West London: London College of Music (US rep), I am able to offer internationally accredited music performance grades (1-8) for piano (classical, jazz pop), digital keyboard (pop, music industry), voice (musical theatre, opera/classical, pop, rock, jazz). Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Viola Bass Guitar Ukulele Mandolin Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I have taught quite literally all ages. 5-75. Styles and lesson books used varied depending upon student and school. I usually taught Suzuki for violin, viola and classical guitar (tend to prefer Scott Tennant Pumping Nylon book for classical guitar though). And usually Faber Piano Adventures for young piano students. Eventually going to Clementi Sonatinas and Chopin Preludes. Also Mel Bay Modern Guitar for beginning rock/jazz guitarists. Then eventually going to Mickey Bakers Jazz Guitar books. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Cello Viola

For beginning string student's, I use Essential Elements for Strings and Schroeder method books. Once the student has grasped the basic fundamentals and note reading, I begin to introduce solo repertoire from the Suzuki String method. Along with technical studies and solo repertoire, the student will learn scales ranging from one to four octaves. For beginning piano student's, I use the Bastein Piano series. This method is complete with a method book, solo repertoire, theory studies and scales. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Flute Drums Bass Guitar Organ Electric Violin Double Bass

I have an interactive yet focused style of teaching. I can(but don't recommend) to use the Suzuki method. I feel that all aspects related to the instruments weigh much importance in teaching the student. However, with the Suzuki method, the student's primary focus is to learn pieces rapidly and climb the level of difficulty as fast as possible. This prevents him/her to fully understand and analyze the piece and lesson and it can also turn the student away from pursuing the instrument further.  Read More