Hi everyone! I'm a hard-working musician with a background in live performance, songwriting, composition, and home recording. I want to help you perform the music you love, whether you're playing to your family, your webcam, or a 15,000 seat arena. I have been teaching private music lessons since 2007.

I am a graduate of UCSD, where I completed my bachelor's degree in music theory and composition. I have taken years of private lessons, played bass, guitar, and mandolin in local and touring bands, and released three albums of original music. I want to make your goals accessible.

Francesca has over 20 years of experience polishing her guitar talents. While working towards her BA in Music Education and English, she carried a full teaching roster with over 30 students and still managed a 4.0 GPA from Cal State University at Los Angeles. Francesca's musical dexterity has taken her touring in four continents and has allowed her to perform with some of the most prestigious artists in the industry, including the Donald Briniger Singers, her own pop/rock bands Minor Setback and Franki and the Ntelegents, and even playing the banjo in The Three Penny Opera.

Francesca started teaching music at the early age of 16 with great success. She was on the faculty at California Music Academy, Cornelia Connelly High School, Pasadena Saturday Music Conservatory, and Sawday and Holmes Music and she has taught classrooms of up to 70 choir students. Francesca has high expectations and is skilled in helping her students reach their goals. With a constant effort to maintain...

Kevin T. is a music professor at MUM, Vice president of the San Diego Songwriters guild, and CEO of Songwriting Planet. He is an instructor of guitar, bass, voice, piano, songwriting, composition, orchestration, jazz arranging, music theory, ear training, production and engineering, and music business and career development. He graduated from Musicians Institute with a performance certificate, received his BA degree with honors from Berklee College of Music with a dual major in Songwriting and Performance, and received his Masters degree in Music Composition from the University of Miami's Frost School of Music.

Kevin has written and performed myriad and diverse styles of music which include everything from jazz, rock, funk, country, blues, fusion, R&B, and classical, to world music and avant-garde. Kevin has recorded CDs and has been the songwriter, arranger, and bandleader for several original music groups. Stress Factor Zero combines rock with funk and jazz. Cloud Ex is...

From Oklahoma, comes the talented and charming, Taylin. With her powerful vocals, unique looks, amazing stage presence, and music to capture and entertain audiences of all ages, Taylin truly is the complete package. Singing in front of audiences by the age of 11, touring by the age of 18, Taylin’s journey landed her in Dallas, TX, where she pursued opportunities as a professional singer, actress and dancer. Taylin has toured with bands such as Vince Vance & The Valiant’s, who currently have a number 1 hit, "All I Want For Christmas Is You". As well, Taylin has toured around the world, with several National Acts, and for the USO in Ecuador, Cuba, and the Bahamas. From Dallas, Taylin moved to Nashville, TN, where she was quickly snatched up by Gaylord Entertainment, (Sony Records),and offered a major label record contract. Throughout the process, she was able to hone in on her songwriting skills, which validated her role as a leader in the Nashville music scene. Taylin...

TEACHING/COACHING/CONSULTING
Ayanna has been teaching private voice & piano lessons as well as facilitating group vocal labs & workshops, seminar presentations and lectures since 1991. She has received a BA in Metaphysical Sciences, is currently working on her Masters in Metaphysical Sciences with an emphasis on healing arts utilizing vibrational frequencies & sound, in particular the human voice. She is currently writing articles and a book about the techniques and psychology of performing arts as well as finding ones' "true" voice for singers, speakers and pure everyday enjoyment of life.

Students can expect to have fun learning in a sensitive, relaxed and supportive environment with Ayanna. She encourages students to explore and develop their creative styles while learning the fundamentals of making music, & music theory with a playful and joyful approach. To her, parents play an integral role in a child's learning experience and their questions are always invited and...

Jessica is a professional vocal soloist who performs with ensembles around the world. Her performances have garnered praise for their “…virtuosic whimsy” (New York Times), “expressive flexibility combined with imagination…” (The Sydney Morning Herald) and “…upmost security and power...” (Chicago Tribune).

Her students have ranged from opera singers to singer-song writers, to enthusiastic children and teenagers. She loves to teach a variety of genres, but always from the foundation of a body-oriented vocal technique. She encourages students to become knowledgeable about the music they perform and to develop the skills to be clear and expressive vocal communicators.

Jessica holds a Master of music performance from the University of California and a Bachelor of Music Performance from the Victorian College of the Arts. She is also an alumna of the Young Artist Program at the Victorian Opera Company. As a performer, she specializes in adventurous repertoire;...

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've sung most of my life. I've been teaching since 1991. I listen to a lot of different singers but my real passion is jazz, brazilian music and blues. I've recently been singing with Hip Graffiti and now I'm working under my own name.

I teach many different styles of music and work with beginners to advanced. My teaching studio is equipped with a P.A. system so that my students can also work on their performance skills.

What's the first lesson like? When I first meet a new student I ask about what experience they've had singing. Even beginners sing in the shower or along with their favorite CD's. It's good for me to know if they feel strain, tension or raspiness. Finding out what kind of music the student listens to and wants to sing is also a big part of the first lesson.

I find that it is more motivating and fun to work on songs that the students enjoy. I explain a little about how the vocal cords work, visualizing or picturing the action of the vocal cords and...

I offer a fun, interactive teaching style that encompasses more than 20 years of performing and 15 years of teaching experience. As a performer I have worked as a professional singer, actor, musician, and dancer. I have always had a passion for teaching, directing, and composing. While my love for performing has lessened over the years, I have found my true calling: teaching, directing, and helping others to find their passion for music and the performing arts.
I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a special emphasis in music, theatre, dance, and psychology. I am a graduate candidate working on completing my thesis as my final requirement for a Masters of Arts degree in Music at San Diego State University.
Member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), California Association of Professional Music Teachers (CAPMT), and Music Teachers National Association (MTNA).

Hi! My name is Marla and I am a teacher with TakeLessons as well as owner/director of a music academy in North San Diego County.

My Background:

I have taught piano and voice lessons professionally for 19 years. I have experience as an instructor, music director, choir director, and song writer. I have been honored to serve as an adjudicator for both state and national piano and voice competitions. I have University training as well as professional recording and performing experience. Most importantly, I'm dedicated to learning about your personal musical goals and helping you to achieve them.

About My Current & Previous Students:

My students include Grammy nominated artists (2011), music producers, church music directors, college music professors, and a professional actress. I teach all ages and levels of difficulty, as well as all styles of music. As a student with me you will learn to read and play music by note, by ear, and by chord charts. I can also develop...