Voice Lessons in Walnut Creek, CA

Instruments: Voice

I prefer to take on students who are considered "intermediate" or at least working toward the intermediate level and advance because I specialize in developing a singer's performance quality. It's important that the student has basic vocal technique training prior to training with me because they'll have a technical foundation and sense of confidence that will allow them to explore (or as I like to call it "play") more of their vocal capabilities. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Ukulele

My methods of teaching cater to the students interests and strengths. I use material and songs that the students want to learn. I draw the learning from these pieces of art. I also use Suzuki, Hal Leonard and Bastien piano materials. My specialty is popular, sacred, arias, jazz and folk music. I create diversity in my lessons and keep them fun and exciting. In my lessons, I teach body mechanics, proper vocal warm ups as well as piano exercises and drills. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

For Voice: I always start with basic exercises. Breathing, Scales, Etc. After a few lessons, when the student is solidified in basic techniques, I will begin to introduce basic Art Song repertoire and work with the student to branch them out into their desired field of study, whether that be Opera, Pop, Musical Theater, Rock, etc. I always feel a strong base in Classical Technique is important to start with though. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Ukulele Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I believe in encouragement, fun and positive focus on the students progress at whatever speed that they progress. This makes each student look forward to each lesson with eagerness and actually accelerates their progress. I never push a student and instead encourage and edify the student and try to use their own favorite pieces of music to keep them excited about their next lesson. Acknowledging small progress is the key and I never let a student leave without celebrating their accomplishments no matter how small! Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Viola Ukulele Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I typically perform an assessment with every individual during the first lesson. Depending on goals, I will recommend curriculum to achieve the desired results. If a classical approach is desired, I use the Alfred's Basic Piano series and the Hal Leonard method for guitar, along with scale and chord theory literature depending on the level of the student. I also teach jazz/pop accompaniment style improv playing so I print music out from various sources. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

I am an Artist who loves to see his students succeed. I have a strong passion for music, and utilize that passion and the skills I've developed throughout my career to cultivate students into fellow Artists. My primary goal as a teacher is to tap into the potential artistry of the students. For that reason, I am not as focused on the technical skills, as I am about spotlighting the inspiration that will facilitate the student to embody the Artist with original expression and purpose in their art form. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Conga Latin Percussion

For beginning guitar I start out with Chris Parkening: classical guitar book...learning finguring styles, rudiments, and notes. We then go into various techniques and develop song repetoire and chording and strumming styles. For beginning piano I start with level one Hal Leonard book for beg. piano and various beginning classical composers: Beethoven, Mozart, Tchakovisky, Jazz, etc. . I split this class into musicianship-learning notes and reading music, fingering and scales, and theory. Read More