As far back as I can remember, music has been a central part of my life. I grew up in a musical family; my father a drummer and pianist, my mother a woodwinds player, and my brother a bassist, I have been surrounded by music as far back as I can recall.

In 3rd grade, I remember seeing a brass quintet play at my elementary school auditorium. This was the moment I knew the trumpet was for me! From 3rd grade to my senior year in high school, I took private lessons and played in the top groups on trumpet and percussion - eventually achieving such awards as "Best Soloist at a College Jazz Festival" and "Musician of the Year at San Diego School for Creative and Performing Arts." Upon graduating from San Diego SCPA in 2005, I became interested in recording and audio engineering – eventually working as a 2nd engineer at Signature Sound in Clairemont, and main engineer at Proxy Music in Oceanside. This afforded me the opportunity to work with some of San Diego’s finest musicians...

From my involvement as a soccer referee, my participation in University Greek life, and as a teaching assistant and mentor, I've developed a positive mental attitude and I apply it to my work style. I understand the importance of discipline, rules and policies, communicating effectively, and teamwork.

I tutor math as well as science subjects, and I also teach English: grammar, reading, and writing.

My name is Jessica and I am your piano teacher.

I have been teaching piano for 8 years and I absolutely love it! I am a piano teacher at heart. I am a 2nd generation piano teacher. My Mother is a teacher and has taught for 30 years. I have been playing piano since I was 5 and haven't stopped since. I grew up around my my mothers studio teaching along her side since I was 11 years old...of course, I don't count those early teaching years as professional experience. Just as great learning experience most teachers don't receive.
I love watching the light in a students eyes when something new is understood. I find great joy in assisting and watching my students develop their skills with success! My life has been spent teaching piano and using
a curriculum that works for everyone!

I have been playing drums professionally for over 15 years. My styles range from traditional jazz, to jazz/fusion, Latin, Brazilian, rock and funk. I have studied music at Diablo Valley College, Southwestern College, and UCSD. I am a founding member of the critically acclaimed James Abbuhl band where I drummed and co-produced the CD "Voyages and Homecomings". My focus will be to get you to play musically. The drums should fit the music, meaning that as a drummer, one should play what makes sense for the music.

I've been teaching/tutoring music since 2007 with experience teaching music theory, aural skills, piano, and guitar. I can help students with a variety of musical tasks. The program I was enrolled in at SDSU ensured that I had a good grasp of a wide variety of instruments.

I am passionate about sharing with you all the knowlegde that I've obtained from over 45 years of of studying piano with some of the best teachers available in the country. I will help you to both discover that sound image that is only yours and then to work on how to make that image come alive for you at the keyboard. I promise that working together will be a fun and inspiring adventure into that most expressive form of communications which is Music. One of the best ways to judge a teacher is by the way he plays. I am a performing teacher, still studying, and will be giving my second solo recital at The Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad in February 2013 and will be playing masterpieces by Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin and Liszt. You are, of course, invited to the recital or it would be my pleasure to play for you at my studio or your home. Looking forward to sharing and learning more about our craft by spending some quality musical time with one another.

Music has been my number one passion since childhood. It was in third grade that I discovered the snare drum in music class, and I knew there was no turning back. At the young age of 7 I had already decided that I wanted to be a teacher. My passion for drumming grew stronger as the years went on, and I was constantly searching for new challenges to conquer. Relocating to San Diego contributed to this as it introduced me to a huge constantly evolving music scene.

I'm currently obtaining my associates in music at Mesa College. I have been performing professionally and teaching around southern California for close to ten years. I've worked as a session drummer and recorded several albums and EP's for a number of bands. I co-managed San Diego Drum Shop with Jon Oren in 2011 to early 2012. I now play for a hand full of groups ranging from bluegrass and jazz to rock. When I'm not behind my kit, you can find me painting, cycling or enjoying almost any other physical outdoor activity.

Music is my life and drumming is my passion...
I first sat behind the drumset back when I was in middle school and suddenly, life had made sense and it was through rhythm that I defined myself. My obsession led me to a broad musical expansion in High School where I became strongly involved in the music programs there. Marching drumline, indoor drumline, symphonic, orchestral, concert and jazz ensemble filled my life with love and purpose. Some of my defining moments from those days were my involvement with the collegiate district honor band, coming in 3rd place for indoor drumline in all of Southern California, and being awarded the jazz soloist award for drumming excellence at the Cuyamaca jazz festival. After graduating I joined up with DCI group "The Velvet Knights Drum and Bugle Corp" and became the Tenor Section leader.
Now, Being a student in college, I have taken a multitude of music courses including, Jazz Improv, Afro-Cuban, Piano, Modern Drumset Technique, and Music...

EXPERIENCE:
With 30 years of performing and 15 years of teaching experience, (teaching beginning to advanced drumming, and beginning guitar, piano and voice) there is much to give back to inspiring music students. Rick has performed and recorded with a variety of musical groups, and is currently working on a new CD with guitarist-songwriter Dave Wagner. Rick continues to perform with many local San Diego rock, funk, soul, pop, blues and Christian praise bands (including an Elvis Presley Tribute Band and a Jimi Hendrix Tribute Band).

EDUCATION:
Rick has studied with many professional music Instructors/Musicians: Troy Luccketta (Tesla), Gene Hoglan (Testament), Greg Gerson (Gloria Estefan, Billy Idol, Roger Daltrey), Dave Wagner (Doctor X, Bleedstreet). Rick continues to study with local San Diego, world class Musician/Educator, James Morton. Rick has also studied music with James Morton, among other professors, at San Diego Grossmont/Cuyamaca College.
Rick is a full time...

I completed my Doctorate of Musical Arts in 2006 at the Shenandoah Conservatory, but I have been performing music since I was three year's old. Music is a passion on mine and I want to share that passion with my students. I teach in a relaxed yet technical style. I currently teach Voice, Piano, and Celtic Harp (Lever). I believe learning music should be fun no matter the instrument, style, or genre. My students have also expressed how nurtured and safe they feel in my studio.

I come from a long line of talented musicians and teachers. My parents and other relatives played live for radio shows in the early 1940's and we have all performed at hundreds of other venues over the years. I basically "grew up" in a music studio and began teaching professionally at the age of 16. Over the years I have enjoyed seeing my students develop their own musical talents and abilities. Many have reached out to become professionals in their field, receiving musical scholarships and starting their own bands, etc. I have 2 beautiful adult children and I am the proud Oma (grandma) of 4 beautiful grandchildren, two boys ages 10 and 6 and twins (girl and boy) age 2. The two oldest have special needs yet they love learning music and music theory. Even the twins sit for extended periods of time playing "at" the piano and love to dance! Statistics have shown that children who learn to play a musical instrument get higher grades in school, have better concentration and become...