Voice Lessons in Modjeska, CA

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Viola Mandolin Keyboard

I'm an internationally recognized classical and jazz pianist/recording artists. My digital albums are readily available at I Tunes, Cdbaby or Amazon. I'm a published musicologist author. My credits include: The Cocktail Piano Companion, Jewels of Jazz: The Undiscovered Vocal Gems of the 1950s-1960s, Les Baxter, Lady Liberty: The Definitive Julie London Handbook and Artist Development. I'm the creator of the Cocktail Piano Hour series of albums, which are regularly played on international radio podcasts including: Cocktail Nation, Evenings at the Penthouse, The Cool Jazz Connection and Martinis at Midnight. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Drums Ukulele

My teaching style is goal-oriented and centers on positive reinforcement. This should be fun, not a chore. I love creating weekly/monthly/yearly goals so the student has something tangible to work towards. That might be a showcase for parents, a more formal recital, or an audition for a group! Each student brings a unique perspective to the lesson room, which is what makes it so exciting for me. No two students are the same, which mean I can learn something from the student as well. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Organ Keyboard

Typically, I favor using traditional curriculum for beginning students (Alfred, Faber, Bastian). As a student progresses we typically incorporate Clemeneti sonatinas and the students favorite pop/modern songs. When a student achieves an advanced level of difficulty curriculum is purchased depending on the student's goals, college aspirations, and learning objectives. I typically administer a Classical Method of education, whether in private lessons or the classroom. It is my hope that time in my classroom encourages dialectic conversation and reaps gains in every learning situation. Read More

Instruments: Voice

Since studying the technique of Speech Level Singing for my own vocal growth, Ive begun to incorporate a portion of it into my private instruction. This style has opened up my voice like no other ever has (in a healthy and powerful way) and Ive noticed incredible growth in my students, which has been immeasurable. An overall idea of what a typical lesson would look like is this: starting with warm-ups/placement exercises to ready the voice for the work we are about to do. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Ukulele Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Regarding the actual playing, I emphasize playing slow and steady while keeping the flow of the music, even when it may be tempting to play an easier phrase faster while stopping to play a harder one. I find that progress is fastest playing with that patience in mind, getting a great feel for the music. Also, it's essential to come up with a unique practice plan for the student, accommodating their weekly schedule to find a consistent amount of practice time at their own pace. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Harmonica Recorder Electric Violin Fiddle Piccolo Oboe English Horn Keyboard

I never yell or scold. I can keep the boat on even keel, and not sink to drama. I am warm but firm about requiring hard work on improving. My teachers include some of the world's greatest professors at prestigious Universities. My teaching is world class as you they say. I am familiar with the textbook techniques handed down for centuries, so you will be learning the tried and true technique that the world's best musicians use. Read More