Music is the means to create a portal into our souls, so that we may see each other for who and what we are, not merely as what we do. I want to help foster those young, middle-aged, and not-as-young how to tap into their own soul portals through music so that they may find others' as well. I believe that in order to entertain others with your voice or your instrument playing, one must first be able to entertain oneself - all the while having fun doing it! As a recent graduate of the University of California, Davis with a double major in Music History & Ethnomusicology and African-American & African Studies; a former co-host of the popular hip-hop radio show ATF Radio: All Things Fresh on KDVS 90.3FM; a former Music Director of The Afterglow of UC Davis; and a current Vocal Music Performance graduate student at the University of Redlands, I have come in contact and learned from a vast amount of different musicians and professionals. A classically-trained bass-baritone with roots...

With many years of experience in both piano and vocal performance in Los Angeles and in England and my teaching in the Inland Empire, my students experience a rich and rewarding time of learning.

I received my formal education in piano performance from the Royal Academy Of Music in London and in Rhodesia. I also attended the Kwanagoma College Of music in Rhodesia and studied organ under the famous Dr. Olaff Axelson of Germany.

I also attended the University Of Redlands where I studied piano pedagogy.

I studied voice with Suzann Luckather of the Alhambra Academy Of Music in Los Angeles and also with Maestra Marya Basaraba, director of the California Philharmonic 200 voice chorus.

I further studied with the international vocal coach and concert pianist, Armin Gazulamian.

My current vocal coach is the world famous tenor, Guiltiero Negrini of the Metropolitan Opera House New York.

Education: Bachelor of Music - University of Redlands 2010
Master of Music University of Redlands 2012

I have worked extensively in different age groups and settings teaching piano and in classroom settings for the past 7 years.

One of the greatest joys as a music educator has been to see students reach the weekly/ monthly/ yearly goals that we have established together. From beginners to advanced students, I am dedicated to helping my students reach their musical goals.

This is one of the biggest reasons that I focus on having students build up their skills from whichever level they are at, and working their way to success. I emphasize rhythms, ear- training, harmony, music theory, and of course musical reading and understanding of the musical language of piano.

EDUCATION

HOWARD UNIVERSITY— Washington, DC
BA in Music Therapy, with Minors in Bassoon & Piano

UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX— Pasadena, CA
Master of Business Administration (MBA)

I absolutely love teaching! I've been teaching music for 25 years!
That's all I've ever known. Coming from a family of educators and musicians of two generations we wanted to do something for the community, so I co-founded Piano Play Music Systems,Inc. (an award winning inclusive private & group music program for children voted” The Best Piano School for Kids in LA”) 400+ student aged 19 months -adults. I further developed an advanced group piano pedagogy series of method books by editing, creating and developing characters, lyrics for songs within the books to enhance more enthusiasm for learning with older children.
As a trained music therapist, I also co-founded Keylife Foundation,(a non-profit organization that offers services for special needs children, primarily in the...

I grew up in Indianapolis Indiana where I attended High School. While in High School I studied Classical Clarinet with Achille Rossi of the Indianapolis Symphony orchestra. My interest at this early stage of my career was and still is in Classical Music. I went on to play with many of the All-City and All-state Orchestras.

After my graduation from High School, my interest in jazz began to blossom. I went on to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston Ma. Where I was a Performance Major and earned my four year professional performance certificate. Studying all aspects of Jazz Composition- Arranging- Performance. I studied Clarinet with Andre Lizotte ( Principle Clarinetist with the Boston Opera Co.) Improvisational techniques for Tenor Saxophone and Flute with Joe Viola ( Woody Herman). Composition with James Williams ( Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers) Paul Schmiling who is the Dean of Composition at Berklee College of Music and Pianist of the Late Great Sarah Vaughn. And...

Hello everyone! :)
I am a piano teacher from the Los Angeles area! I have two big passions in life. Music and teaching! And putting both together is truly a rewarding experience for me. That being said, I feel so lucky that I am a music teacher! I absolutely love to instill my passion for music in others, and I feel very accomplished when a student not only learns their instrument well, but also develops a passion for playing it! I always say that my main goal while teaching piano, is to make lessons both fun and rewarding! I believe that in order for a student to learn piano well, he/she must love playing it! I know that I've accomplished this "main goal" many times in the past, and I'm absolutely thrilled about doing it again and again!

I hold a Bachelors of Arts in Music degree from USC (my focus was Classical Piano). While pursuing this degree, I studied classical piano with renowned pianist Norman Krieger (among other teachers at USC). Also, I recently graduated with a...

I have performed professionally at Disneyland, was former musical director for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, and have toured professionally with many groups; including Phil Wilson's Rainbow Band and the AlcoSKAlics.

Teaching has been a passion of mine since the mid-'90s. I have taught students that were as young as 5 years old to 80 years old. I can teach and play a variety of instruments, including: keyboards, bass, drums, latin percussion, brass instruments and acoustic guitar. I also teach compostion, arranging, and conducting.

Many of my formers students have gone on to become professional musicians, teachers, and recording artists.

I am a guitarist, composer and teacher specializing in classical guitar and Latin American music. I have loved music for all of my life and my primary expression of that love is playing guitar. I currently teach private guitar lessons, lecture at San Bernardino Valley College and work as a freelance performer in the Inland Empire and greater Los Angeles area.

I began my study of music at the age of thirteen when I taught myself how to play folk, rock and blues guitar. Though, to be honest, I didn't just teach myself. I had many friends who played guitar who would show me songs or correct mistakes in the songs I had learned from the internet. I remember thinking that music had a special ability to bring people together, and I became determined to understand what exactly it was that gave music that power. I began my formal study of music at Foothill College in Los Altos, California where I studied guitar, music appreciation and music theory. In 2002 I transferred to the University...

As a music teacher, I am very passionate about my trade. Not simply because I enjoy music or have a talent in the area, but because I literally love talking about, working on, and helping others understand music. I have had tons of real world experience in music, from teaching to performing, from composing to producing. I have taken this experience to the lesson room by making sure to adapt each lesson uniquely to each student. I like to take a very practical approach; conquer the basics as well as delve into song writing, theory, production, or technique at different levels based on the needs and wants of each student.
As for myself, I have been in love with music from a very early age. I started playing piano at the age of 5, being taught by my mother who was also a pianist. Early on in my teen years, I started playing in bands as a bass player and/or keyboardist and I have been hooked on performing ever since. I went on to get my degree in music from California Baptist...

Music is my life. I love music and all of its aspects and I love to teach it. The number one thing about me is that I'm patient. I have taught many students of many different age groups and with much success. My main instrument is voice and I can teach all types of singing: musical theater, pop, jazz, classical, and opera. In addition I can teach up to intermediate level piano and guitar. I can teach all the major and minor scales, chords, and progressions in addition to different types of music. I can also teach beginning drums and intermediate marching percussion.

I am also now available for online lessons for Singing and Guitar!

Welcome to TakeLessons.com... My name is Vai and I am extremely passionate about educating the world in music. I have been trained in music since the age of 7 when I learned to play classical piano. I began singing at a very young age in church and school. At the age of 17 I received proper vocal training for the first time at the California State University, San Bernardino. In the Spring of 2011 I completed my BA in Music from CSUSB. I believe in sharing the gift of music with as many souls as possible.

I began playing piano at the age of 5 and never stopped taking lessons until halfway through college. I entered into various competitions and festivals throughout myr young life and did pretty well. I began taking violin lessons at age 9 and continue to play violin as well as sing in a rock band called, The Denouement. My mom was an excellent music teacher and very successful choir director for almost 40 years so I have absorbed all kinds of musical wisdom from her. I have been playing music consistently for over 20 years and teaching music for over 2 years. I am extremely patient, encouraging and kind, but am also very particular when it comes to my students playing the best that they can play.