Our rigorous hiring process requires a completed application; an interview with
our professional recruiting specialists; personal and professional reference
checks; and annual criminal background checks for the duration of each teacher's
employment with us.
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Levels: Beginner to Advanced
In-Home Lessons: No
In-Studio Lessons: Yes
Ages: 5 & up
Subjects Taught
Piano, Singing, Violin, Cello, Music Performance, Music Theory, Songwriting
Education
Foothill Jr College - - 1977-1978
Specialties
I teach violin with an emphasis on body mechanics and ergonomics. I insist on economy of motion and strictly correct technique in order to take the student up the the level they wish to go and to ensure they never sustain injury by playing.
Lesson Details
When a student signs up with me, I find out what level they are at and tailor make a program just for them. In this program, we ensure that they learn at an acceptable gradient so they never get overwhelmed. Since it is so important for a student to understand everything they study, I ensure that there are no questions or misunderstood concepts after each lesson. Students are expected to learn Music Theory so that they have the tools to do whatever they please with music. I teach Music Theory
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in a very easy to understand way and even those who profess to hate Music Theory, end up loving it. Another very important aspect of teaching in whatever instrument the student picks up is ergonomics. It is my duty to ensure that the student has the know how to avoid injury to their body or their voice by using correct mechanics.
The final and most important point is that I stay in great communication with my students. I want them to feel comfortable enough with me to tell me when things are not going right so that we can work together to correct whatever is out. I am very good at finding what is bugging a student and correcting it. And as long as a student is willing to work, no matter how slowly they may learn, I will continue to teach them because I firmly believe that EVERYONE CAN LEARN MUSIC.
I started music in third grade when I started studying violin. I played in many school orchestras as well as with groups. After high school, I started studying electric bass and singing. I studied bass with Myron Dove who later played with Carlos Santana. I studied singing with Robert Bernard who was an opera coach in Palo Alto, California and was coaching Joan Baez at that time. During the 80's I played bass and sang with my original band "The Tearmagnets". With The Tearmagnets, I warmed up
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stages for the likes of Robin Ford, Ric Emmett of Triumph, Clarence Clemmons (Sax plyer for Bruce Springsteen), Bourgeois-Tagg, Ronnie Montrose, Rory Gallagher, Tony McAlpine (Currenty with Steve Vai) and many other famous international acts. In the 80's my original song "Insanity" won 8th place in the Haight Ashbury Free Press song of the week beating our Jerry Garcia that same week. In the 90's I returned to my first love, classical violin. I also played in several country bands as violinist at that time. Having decided to master the violin, I set up my own personal study program and supplemented that with violin intensives wtih Clayton Haslop (concert master on the Avatar sound stage). I currently perfom at private functions and local events.
