Voice Lessons in Sacramento, CA

Instruments: Piano Voice Music Keyboard

As a teacher, my aim is to help students unlock the meaning and message of any piece of music. For me, teaching and learning are both about exploration, inquiry and experimentation. And I approach each lesson fully committed to spark a student’s imagination and musical understanding through these principles. The joy in my teaching is seeing students’ ideas develop and being there to guide them each step of the way! Read More

Instruments: Voice Music

I have performed the professional role of Lady Ella/Chorus with Cimarron Opera in their performance of Patience. I was previously a member of the Wichita Grand Opera Chorus, and recently performed in their productions of Turandot, Don Carlo, Tosca, Guillaume Tell, Otello and Le Nozze di Figaro. I have alsoperformed other professional roles such as a Belle/Chorus in The Forum Theater's production ofA Christmas Carol. Throughout my various degrees, I have also performed roles in Hansel and Gretel, Bastien und Bastienne, Dido and Aeneas, Die Zauberflote, The Lonley Empress, Les Contes d'Hoffman, Dangerous Liasons, Ariadne auf Naxos and Eric Hermansen's Soul. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

For beginning students who are children, I introduce theory, rhythm, as well as the instrument to give them a basic understanding of all of the aspects of music. Once the students has a basic grasp of the fundamentals, we will learn songs appropriate for their level. For adult students, I try to teach based on their interests, choose appropriate repertoire and help them meet and accomplish their own goals. The most important is that the students are enjoying themselves and learning - my main goal is to help the students succeed. 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 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 Violin Flute Bass Guitar Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar

I always use variety of method books depending on the capability of each student in grasping the instructions. I have a syllabus that I am following base on the Music Teacher's Association syllabus in preparation for a Certificate of Merrit examination. And for those younger students that are not ready yet in taking the Statewide Music examination, a Royal School of Music syllabus is what I am using in order for our studies to be on track. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Ukulele Keyboard

For beginning and intermediate students on piano, I generally teach out of Piano Adventures as a supplement, but teach other songs the student requests. For voice lessons, I tailor my supplemental book teaching to the students individual learning abilities, as well as learning songs they are passionate about. My philosophy on learning music is that a students should NEVER play a song that they hate! I tailor my instruction accordingly to keep lessons engaging and fun, no matter what their skill level. Read More