Voice Lessons in Nicolaus, CA

Instruments: Voice

I began teaching right after college, but put that on hold when my career took off. After having children, I returned to teaching and have taught in schools and privately for the last 15 years. I teach a classical , bell canto foundation so my students learn how to use their voice properly and then add different techniques to help them shape their sound for different styles of singing. I specialize in helping musical theater singers find and strengthen their mix and belt voices. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trombone

For three years I was a camp counselor in the La Honda Music Camp (Hayward, CA). As a counselor, I looked after 10-12 middle school-aged girls, oversaw brass sectionals, coached trombone, and assisted in the junior wind ensemble. In high school I used to coach my classmates in the trombone section. In my grad school years I began to teach beginning piano and trombone. My hope when teaching music is that the kids have a lot of fun learning their instrument, so I always encourage them to learn songs they'd like to sing/play along to. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Synthesizer Ukulele Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Music Instruction Expertise in teaching modern guitar performance, music technology, songwriting, audio engineering, and music production. Music Instruction Employers 2007-present Takelessons.com (Shingle Springs, CA) Community School of Music and Arts (Menlo Park, CA) Sierra Music Academy (Rocklin, CA) Newton Center (Foster City, CA) DJ Buddy Holly DJ Buddy Holly is a company I began in 2009 as a sole proprietorship. The company focuses on DJing at parties, clubs, and corporate events. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I try to find a balance between being laid-back and offering my students enough structure so that they can develop at an appropriate pace. While encouraging my students to find ways to express themselves, I also try to be realistic with them about the importance of musicianship and technique. Empathy is the most important thing for me, as I try to help and nurture my students to explore their own musical talents. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I assess what the student's current strengths, weaknesses, and needs are. Every student will have a different approach in the lessons as everyone has different taste in music and different learning styles. I cater to the student's interests to make the lessons easy and interesting while making sure that the student is aware of the reason that they are understanding how the topic they are currently learning blends and builds into their overall playing and musicianship. Read More

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: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Conga Electric Guitar Djembe Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

No matter the skill level, I like to keep my curriculum concise, applicable, and easy for all students to understand. I begin with a crash course in music fundamentals to give students a classical understanding of their playing, reading, and writing techniques. Next, I teach them scales, chords, and playing techniques that correlate with their level of playing and music comprehension. Once they have mastered said curriculum I teach them songs that they are genuinely interested in. Read More