Voice Lessons in Clayton, CA

Instruments: Piano Voice Organ Synthesizer Keyboard

If you’ve tried and failed, or even if you’ve never touched a piano, Smiley can teach you. And, you’ll have fun doing it because with my easy approach to learning, you will start playing the songs you like from day one, not practicing endless scales all the time, and boring music language that would be difficult to understand the first day. With my easy learning how to play approach, you would lean your first song and be able to play it, over and over until you learn a new song to share. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice

I like to teach lessons that move step-by-step, with each lesson building on the one before, so that the student can see the improvement as they move ahead. If they are children beginners, they can begin with simple chords, a strum and a C scale. Over time more chords, fuller strumming rhythms and understanding how chords come from scales is introduced. With more advanced players, depending on the style that they want to play, they can learn more advanced chords and progressions, licks and fills, and creating intros and endings and generally sculpting the songs. Read More

Instruments: Voice Music

When I teach my students, I allow them to choose songs (even original ones they've written) they are interested in singing. I know when I'm assigned a song I'm not fond of, I'm less likely to take the time to practice it during the week! During our lessons, I take the time to warm up their voices and bodies thoroughly before we start singing any repertoire. Singing is a full body experience, and I teach my students to experience that as soon as they work with me! Read More

Instruments: Voice

 I have been a professional Actress, Show Singer, Commercial Voice-Over Artist and Teacher for the past 25 years in the Bay Area. I have a BA in Theater Arts from University of Minnesota, as well as from San Jose State University. I have studied Theater, Dance, Music, and Mime at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. I have 30 units in "Early Childhood and Development" from DeAnza College in San Jose, CA. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

For Piano: I usually start with the Alfred's Basic books and work my students through those lessons until they reach a point where I can begin to use other repertoire books with them to give them supplemental work. I always use scales as warm ups for the hands, even if they are very basic for new students. If someone is more experienced, I gauge their level of experience and interests to help determine exercises and repertoire. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Conga Latin Percussion

I like students to learn their favorite songs while learning technique, such as scales and chords, as well as music theory.   Read More