I believe that if you want something, you have to go for it. I encourage my students to pursue their passions with music and reach as far as they dare imagine. I act as a resource and a guide, helping my students to find their way to their music goals.

Hi! My name is Mike C. and I am excited at the prospect of teaching you or your child.

I absolutely love to teach, but not just because of my love for the drums or my life-long appreciation of music, but because of my enjoyment of people and the learning process itself. I feel that this is important to mention, because if I didn’t enjoy what I did and take pride in working with people, then my teaching skills, curriculum, and experience would mean nothing. As anybody who has played a musical instrument can attest to, learning something new is difficult, and having a patient teacher who enjoys working with people is mandatory.

Throughout my life, I have had the opportunity to study with some amazing teachers, including Carmine Appice (author of “Realistic Rock” and drummer for Rod Stewart, Vanilla Fudge, Cactus and Jeff Beck), Jason Lingle (Berklee School Of Music), Keith Harris (drummer for The Black Eyed Peas) and Lee Nichols, to name a few. My experiences with...

I am a young (27), and energetic lover of music. I want to instill that love in any student that I teach so that a long-term skill can be developed and cherished. Lessons with me can help in a variety of ways: improve your piano skills in general; grow in your appreciation for music, especially Jazz; learn chord theory and how to read lead sheets; learn how to write a good tune that can get noticed.
I have a Bachelor's of Music in Jazz Studies from Brigham Young University where I had the chance to work with renowned musicians such as Cannonball Saxophone sponsored artist Ray Smith, BMI Jazz composer's workshop member Steve Lindeman, and first-call drummer Jay Lawrence. I am currently studying with Grammy award-winning composer, arranger, and Jazz pianist Bill Cunliffe at Cal State Fullerton as part of my Masters of Music degree in Jazz Performance. I have been teaching piano lessons for over 7 years now, and also have been working as a freelance musician.

I love being a teacher, but even more than just that, I thoroughly enjoy assisting others on their journey to learning and making music a personal experience for themselves.

Having said that, here is my teaching philosophy, including what you can expect from me as a teacher and as an individual:

PHILOSOPHY OF TEACHING

Each student who comes to me is an individual. I customize each lesson, keeping in mind the student’s level of interest, goals, and intent. I put great care into judging when to push, when to pull back, and when to stop altogether and regroup.

Sometimes there is frustration and as a teacher it is very important to take that experience and turn it into a positive learning situation. During the course of a lesson, we’ll take a "breather" and simply talk about the day, or work on material that is enjoyable and instills a sense of self-confidence —anything to release the tension of acquiring a new language-the musical language. Within moments, we are...

Music has been a part of my life since I was 5 years old, when my father would record my brother and I singing. I always loved singing and learned many of my favorite songs as a child.

I started playing the trumpet in the 4th grade, which has led me all the way to receiving my degrees in Trumpet Performance and Music Education! I was lucky enough to attend one of the nation's top music schools, The Peabody Institute, and I now work toward my Master's degree at California State University, Long Beach. I have enjoyed performing in everything from big-band-lead to principal trumpet in the orchestra, leading brass quintets and brass ensembles, and much more! The trumpet has been a huge passion for as long as I can remember now!

While I was learning songs as a child, I decided I wanted to join a band! Now here we are 10 years later and I've have the fortune of performing as a lead singer in bands across the country, and let me tell you there is no bigger thrill than getting...

Kris has been hired to perform with with many top musicians including: Clare Fischer, Smokey Robinson, Stu Goldberg (film,T.V., John Mclaughlin. Pat Martino), Doc Severensen (Johnny Carson), Otmaro Ruiz (Sheila E, Alex Acuna), Vinnie Falcone (musical director for Frank Sinatra), Tim Bogert (Jeff Beck. Rod Stewart), Luis Conte.

Kris has been on the teaching staff of the Musicians Institute in Hollywood since 2001, and has received his Bachelors Degree in Music from Cal State Northridge.

Kris has studied privately with: Luis Conte, Peter Erskine, Jeff Hamilton , Joey Heredia, Jimmy Branly, Gerry Brown, Wally Snow, Roy Burns, Peter Donald, Joel Leach , Karen Ervin, John Magnussen, Brian Kilgore, Rob Carson.

Diane has been teaching music for 10 years. She is an artist, singer/songwriter and music producer with a full Pro Tools recording studio. She produces and performs all her own music. Diane specializes in voice, guitar, keyboards/piano and songwriting and teaches students ages 16 and over.

She also works with students who are aspiring artists and/or musicians and are interested in a career in music. She has a coaching background that is a great asset and foundation with which to help her students create and follow a step by step plan that will lead them to fulfilling their music aspirations and goals.

Diane teaches both in a studio in Mission Viejo and Aliso Viejo, CA.
Training Includes:

Voice

Gloria Bennett, private vocal instruction (*Gloria is the vocal teacher to Keb Mo and Axel Rose to name a few other successful voice students)
Guy Babusek, Seth Riggs Method
Bronya Dvorsky, Bello Canto Technique

Piano

Diane learned to play the...

My name is Alice B. I've been playing piano for a total of 20 years and have been singing since before I can remember! I was Classically trained in piano from the age of six to eighteen and had the privilege to compete in various regional competitions throughout Southern California and perform in a number of recitals during that time. I studied voice for 3 years from the age of seventeen to twenty-one in both Classical and Contemporary/Jazz music. I had the amazing experience, 5 years ago, to record a 3-song demo and will hopefully get another opportunity to record again. I currently perform weekly at my church and music is my passion!!! Music to me, is a beautiful oxymoron - both intricate and simple! Intricate in its technicality...Simple in the emotional imprint it leaves behind!! As a teacher, my goal is to convey these elements and teach my students the importance of discipline, patience, determination, and hopefully open their eyes to the wonderful world of MUSIC!!

I have been playing music for over fifteen years and have been teaching professionally for over five. I really enjoy teaching and performing and I have won awards in music composition. I have a BA in Education and have taken numerous music courses in my academic career including Harmony, Musicianship, Composition etc. I have also taught in all cities in South Orange County. I am 25, I live in Laguna Hills, and I have always done well with younger students because I can relate to them better than a lot of teachers from my experience. It's always nice to see the expression on students faces when they learn to play something they listen to and really wanted to learn. It's a skill that you will carry with you for the rest of your life. I specialize in electric and acoustic guitar including rock, pop, and folk music.

My journey with music began in 2004. I started playing guitar and piano while attending College of the Desert. The guitar led me to take several music classes, including guitar ensemble and piano. I soon transferred to Cal Poly Pomona to pursue a B.S. in Civil Engineering in 2005. While attending Cal Poly, I declared a Double Major in Music Performance (Guitar Emphasis) since I enjoyed it so much. I began studying guitar under Dr.Yates (UCLA) and Dr. Gravelle (UCLA). They both inspired me to take the instrument seriously. During my 6 quarters of Private/Studio lessons with Dr. Gravelle, I began learning challenging pieces of different genres (jazz, classical, and bossa nova). Each quarter I would perform in front of a panel of professors for a grade. I also performed throughout Performance Seminar classes. My other performance experiences include: Cal Poly Pomona Concert Choir, Guitar Ensemble, Citrus Pop/Rock Ensemble (Pianist), MIDI Band Ensemble, Salsa Ensemble,...

Crystal brings a lifetime’s experience of professional musicianship to each of her lessons. Born into a family of musicians, she sang her first solo at age 2. She also benefits her students with an extraordinarily diverse musical background, having worked as a vocalist in gospel, country, musical theater, jazz, classical, rock, pop and soul styles. Her performing career has taken her from L.A. church meetings to London’s Houses of Parliament.

Crystal hails originally from Los Angeles, CA - where her musical parents gave her a head start by including her in the family business the moment she was able to contribute. She went on to study classical voice, piano and music theory at The Boston Conservatory of Music. After concluding her studies in London, she returned home and began working regularly as a theater performer, appearing in twenty world premiers and re-imagined classics - most notably she played the lead role of Keely Smith in the big band jazz musical “Louis and...