Viola Lessons in Los Angeles, CA

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Viola Mandolin Keyboard

My teaching style is well rounded approach. I teach not only music performance which includes technique, memorization, practice techniques, body mechanics and health, and memorization but also theory, ear training, music history, performance and music business. All my students have opportunity to perform, learn how to audition for local musical theatre productions, how to record and how to prepare for careers in the arts (if they choose). Many of my students are composers/songwriters, produce albums, perform with local companies, Disney performers or are actors in theatre, television and motion picture. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

I’ve held a studio of 35-40 students for the past decade and have had some of my students go onto pursue professional degrees in music at top conservatories around the country and perform for television and studio recordings. I teach students of all ages as young as four. I specialize in teaching students as young as 4 to reach a very high level of skill and artistry with just a few years of lessons. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

I have been teaching for the past 11 years and have had a full studio of 20-25 students during that time. Over the past four summers I have also directed chamber music and fiddle music camps. I specialize in starting very young children on the violin, as young as age 2, although depending on the child starting between ages 3-6 is ideal. It is very important to me to tailer my teaching to each student and their developmental and musical level. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Music

I believe in the power of demonstration and playing along with the students. I also encourage students to practice vocal-instrumental coordination when establishing the concepts of musical expression within structures. I adopt some ear training for younger students as they develop a sense of pitch and theoretical knowledge for adults who learn better with checkpoints. I design and adjust learning plans constantly for individual students as they learn and help them with specific goals, long-term and short-term, and have achieved them 100% of the time. 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

Derek is most known for his association with the John Daversa Big Band. Derek has had the pleasure of meeting and performing with many of his musical heroes. He has recorded live and studio albums with Arturo Sandoval, Jon Faddis, John Fedchock, James Morrison, Greg Gisbert, Roger Ingram, Paul Stephens, Scott Englebright, Donny Dyess, the Tastee Bros, Bernard Wright, Gene Coye, Steve Reid, Kate Reid, Melvin Butler, Ed Calle, Richard Todd, Mike Brignola, Alex Norris, Dante Luciani, John Hart, Martin Bejerano, Chuck Bergeron, Rick Margitza, and appears on the Gary Lindsay album "Are We Still Dreaming" with the South Florida Jazz Orchestra. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Viola Drums Conga Latin Percussion Music Electric Guitar Djembe Acoustic Guitar

I am very flexible with the students I work with. Depending on how you learn best, I will adapt to your needs. I can teach through the use of books (such as the Suzuki Method, John Thompson, etc) but I am also an advocate for learning by ear, transcribing and chord charts. I am also a great transcriber and arranger. With that, I am able to adjust any song to any difficulty for the students I work with. Read More