Guitar with Justine D.

I love music and believe in its ability to bring people together. It's been a part of my life since I was 5, practicing piano at home in Michigan. Music was a big part of every single one of my school years, and I was lucky enough to be able to double major in music and psychology at Kalamazoo College once I graduated from high school. My passion for music has taken me abroad, to London, where I studied Western & Russian art music and took classes in popular music studies at Goldsmiths College, University of London. It spurred my move across the country to New York, where I developed a better understanding of how important creativity is to all of us -- especially musicians! -- at Teachers College, Columbia University. And, most importantly, it's allowed me to do what I love from my home in San Diego, teaching privately both in-person and online. I've recently moved to private teaching full-time and couldn't be happier! I'm excited to get started with you and help you set and reach your musical goals! *** Online & In-Person Lesson Details *** It's most important to me that you are excited and motivated about your music lessons! I am a flexible instructor and am always open to hearing your ideas for songs. After working together to identify your beginning knowledge of music and your instrument, we'll progress from song to song to develop your musical abilities. All of my online and in-person lessons begin by warming up with a quick exercise, scale, or even an improvisational activity. We'll use the music you love to develop your guitar technique, learn new chords, and sharpen your listening skills. You'll gain an understanding of what makes the music work and why the notes, rhythms, and harmonies are what they are. The music we study can also serve as inspiration for creativity. I may ask you to come to the next class with a short composition of your own or we'll finish a lesson by improvising together on related musical themes. I'll do my best to make my expectations for you clear and at the end of every lesson, we'll go over what we accomplished together and make sure you understand what to work on before our next class. *** Additional Online Information *** Online lessons can be just as effective as in-person lessons for teaching you the basics of your instrument, developing technique, and achieving your musical goals! I'll use screen sharing to display music, chords, and scale charts during the lessons. Materials will be emailed to you as well for you to use at home. And communication is extra important when it comes to online lessons; because I can't make physical adjustments, I'll often assess how you hold your musical instrument and describe how you can make the adjustments yourself. Please note that a high-speed internet connection is needed in order to make sure that we can see and hear each other appropriately. In addition, I expect that you will be able to provide your own musical instrument (and amplifier, if you have an electric instrument) to use during the lesson. *** Additional In-Person Information *** I teach my in-person lessons from my home office with comfortable seating for both students and parents. I expect that you will be able to provide your own musical instrument to use during the lesson. I will have music stands available for use during lessons and will accompany and demonstrate on my musical instruments. I will have an amplifier and cables, but if you prefer to bring your own amplifier you can do that, too! Please note that I have two cats; they'll be in an enclosed room away from where we will have lessons, but if you have cat allergies this may not be a good fit.