Cortaro, AZ Songwriting Lessons

ve a strong jazz and theory background.

I look forward to working with you and being a part of your future success as a performing artist!

Sincerely,

Elizabeth; BFA & MEd, MA

*** Lesson Details ***
Lessons: Guitar, Songwriting, Jazz
Ages 6 to 106, children through adults

I provide well-structured lesson plans designed to take students from beginner to advanced levels, lessons are custom tailored to the student’s interests, goals, and particular learning style. Whether you are interested in learning to play the acoustic/electric guitar or are an aspiring songwriter, I have the perfect program that will cover all of the fundamentals and advanced skills.

Learn to play guitar, understand music theory, how to improvise and read music. Learn your favorite songs, write songs and marketing and music career development.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Guitar and study/practice material

*** Travel Equipment ***
Guitar and study/practice material

*** Specialties ***
Pop, Blues, Folk, Jazz, Americana, Rock, Acoustic, Classical

on. Whether you want to learn to play songs from your favorite band, rock out with awesome guitar solos, play beautiful spanish guitar pieces, or write you masterpiece, I can help you realize your musical dreams. My goal is to inspire the next generation of musicians to get the most out of their instrument, and foster a life long love of music that can enrich their lives and the world around them.

*** Lesson Details ***
I am a laid back teacher with a diverse and serious knowledge of music. I truly love music and inspiring new or continuing musicians. I can adapt my lessons to the student so that if you have professional goals I will do my best to challenge and help you to reach them, or if you are a child who is just beginning I will do my best to teach you in a fun and relaxed manner that keeps you excited to come back and learn more the next week. No matter what the age or skill level I take my job very seriously, and try to make the process seriously fun.
If the students is interested in reading standard music notation I teach from the Hal Leonard Guitar Method series, which are the books of choice for countless music instructors. After 3 to 6 months most students have finished at least the first book in the series and can read and play simple songs easily.
If you are interested in reading tablature or chord charts, I have many lesson plans from years of experience that can quickly teach you how to play everything from simple folk songs and popular music to complex Jimi Hendrix solos.
If you are interested in classical guitar, or vocals I start with books of simple spanish guitar etudes and can work with you all the way up to complex advanced works from Segovia and the other masters. In a few months, even beginning students can play beautiful pieces that will impress family and friends.
If you are a banjo student I teach from the Hal Leonard Banjo Method series. I can work with simple clawhammer techniques, or more complex bluegrass methods. In a few months most students can play many simple country and folk songs.
If you are a vocal student I can teach anything from rock/country styles, to showtunes and classical techniques. In a few months I can show how to sing and breath correctly, and help learn how to read music and train your ears to sing in tune.

*** Studio Equipment ***
practice room, amps, and the paper to write down the lessons

*** Travel Equipment ***
I have all the necessary equipment, guitars, banjos, amps, etc. I expect the student to have their own instrument, but I can provide something for the lesson like an amplifier.

*** Specialties ***
I can teach any genre or method. I base the lessons on the students desires and abilities, not on any predetermined plan I may have. I can teach in standard notation, tablature, chord charts, or improvisational methods. I can also teach songwriting, performance/recording techniques, and classical composition.

3 season. Also in 1992 I started my own business as a pre-school music specialist and that has been my day job for the last 20 years. I'm known as "Mr. Ray" to tens of thousands of Tucson pre-schoolers and see about 1500 little guys a week!

I have been teaching guitar and voice privately for 35years. I've had students as long as 8 years! Teaching is one of my greatest passions in life. I have a wealth of experience to draw from and would love to help you or your child realize your dreams! Obviously I specialize in kids but have had many adult students also.

I am also a recording engineer with a multi track project studio. I have produced 2 children's CD's: "Mr. Ray Sings the Dinosaur Dance and Other Favorites" and "Mr. Ray Sings Lullabies".

I've been writing songs since the 70's and can help you in many ways in that field!

*** Lesson Details ***
I have a patient style that is infused with energy! My curriculum depends on age and student goals. Acoustic guitar and voice are my specialties. Texts include Hal Leonard Guitar Method Books 1 - 3 and Beginning Classroom Guitar by Philip Hemo as well as strumming patterns and finger picking. I do assign homework. Voice lessons include ear training, vocal exercises, accessing all notes in your range and , of course, working on songs of music styles/artists you like. All students are furnished with a cd recording of the lesson. The goal for most is to perform and I have many opportunities including recitals and X-mas shows. After 3 - 6 months? Progress depends on you!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Lessons in a music room, recording equipment, keyboard, PA system, mic, multi-track recorder, double french doors in glass so parents can see the lessons without being in the same room. Students take home a CD of the lesson.

*** Specialties ***
acoustic guitar, all styles vocal

ty world premiers and re-imagined classics. Most notably she played the lead role of Keely Smith in the big band jazz musical “Louis and Keely: Live At The Sahara” during its eight-month run at Westwood’s Geffen Playhouse. She also formed her own rock band, The Honeysuckle Jones Revival, with whom she performed her own songs all over Los Angeles. And she began working as a studio session vocalist, providing demo vocals for other songwriters, as well as arranging and performing back-up vocals for original artists, including Laura Roppe (currently in the Top Ten on Billboard’s Uncharted list of emerging artists.) Crystal played the lead role of Brooke in the new operatic rock musical “The Burning Opera LA” during its Los Angeles run in 2011 as well as providing ensemble vocals and playing piano and bass. She also performs holiday tunes from the Golden Age of American songwriting with musical quartet The Sleigh Belles.

Crystal believes that music is serious business but that it should be fun. She encourages her students to play music they love, as well as expanding their musical knowledge. She is a firm believer in basics first and emphasizes theory and technique as the tools to support creativity and provide freedom, power and control. She believes effort beats talent every time and the student who practices consistently will see results, whatever their level of ability. Most of all, she believes we were all born to make music.

*** Lesson Details ***
Lesson structure varies depending on the student's instrument, age, level of experience and musical style. However, all lessons focus on:

Technique
Music theory
Performance style

After 3 or 6 months of consistent lesson attendance and practice, students will have a clear understanding of how their instrument works and how to care for it. They will be able to read basic music notation. They will be working toward clearly defined musical goals and they will have at least three performance pieces learned.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Loft Space: full size electric piano with weighted keys, small digital recorder, microphone, Garage Band, parents can sit in on lessons

*** Travel Equipment ***
I bring a small keyboard for vocal students with no piano, karaoke tracks and a digital recorder. I also bring a selection of games. Students are expected to purchase all necessary books and sheet music.

*** Specialties ***
Young beginners (piano)

d directing. I have experience working with singers, songwriters, live performers, DJ’s, producers, recording artists, stars and celebrities. From beginners to pros, I teach piano and songwriting in many styles: classical, contemporary, pop and rock. I specialize in classical and electronic pop.

I maintain professional association with ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers), IMDB (Internet Movie Database), LAWIM (Los Angeles Women In Music), NSAI (Nashville Songwriters Association International), the CCC (California Copyright Conference), and Phi Theta Kappa Honorary Society Alumni.

SPECIALIZATION
My unique journey as a musician/artist has led me to deeply understand what it takes to break away from the traditional grind of work and life to pursue professional musicianship and greatness as an artist. Although I train musicians of any age or skill level, I focus on those who are either professionals or who are motivated and committed to becoming professionals. I specifically teach (i) piano (with classical emphasis) (ii) the craft of songwriting, which has many multi-faceted components and (iii) composition. With extensive experience in classical and contemporary (pop, ambient, down tempo) music, I put equal focus on technique and fostering a musician’s personal style and passion for music.

PHILOSOPHY
I want you to achieve your greatest musical abilities. Moreover, I want to help you discover who you are as an ARTIST. So, to pull the very best out of you as your coach, I consider it my job to be requiring of you. To challenge you. To assign homework when needed (most often theory-related), but to balance it with fun. To encourage technique which will allow you the ability to play, or even write music, free form. To set realistic goals with you that you can be accountable for, and to dream beyond those initial goals.

I will provide you access to materials and opportunities unique to your interests, in and outside of lesson times. But I will let you determine your own pace. I will encourage and inspire you to move beyond any misconceptions; that notions of age or talent have nothing to do with achieving the success you desire. But I will respect the level of success you wish to achieve.

LESSON DETAILS
Basically, what you need to start is motivation and commitment! I will then spend the first lesson discussing your materials needs based on what method/keyboard you currently use or prefer to use (if you have one), allowing you to make requests for information before proceeding further. Otherwise, I will provide you with informed recommendations. Equally important, at your first lesson I will work with you to determine what specific goals you have so we can track them, together, and meet them, one by one!

I make special efforts to invest in each student’s particular needs to help them move beyond blocks and weaknesses, utilizing a variety of tools such as flash cards and supplemental workbooks, e.g. ear training, sight reading, note spelling, etc. as necessary.

Set your own pace with flexible teaching times--Suggested reading materials--Suggested mobile downloads to complement learning--Opportunities throughout L.A. county to practice, perform and/or learn musically--MIDI training with Logic Studio

UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES!
2011 marked the successful launch of Rockstar For A Day, a trademarked artistic development program and production I developed to help give music students a taste of rock stardom. You’re invited to participate!

TESTIMONIALS:
"I started to learn to play piano at the age of 31. Dorothea introduced me to the world of piano. She was very patient with me and tailored the class toward my pace and interests. She is a fun and enthusiastic person. I felt really sad when she told me that she had to move." ~Duoli, PhD, Tucson, Arizona

"Dorothea's teaching style and level of comprehension from a students viewpoint is unprecedented. Her ability to naturally sync with my learning style has left me with an absolute understanding of my musical abilities, ones I never thought I possessed. She has a seamless ability to progress from musical theory to practical application, and it continues to feel as if she knows the right direction to continue that progression. I drive from San Diego to Los Angeles to attend her classes, probably passing at least 50 other instructors along the way. I would, without a doubt, recommend Dorothea to beginner, intermediate, or advanced students of all ages and backgrounds. With her you will succeed." - Jesse, radio broadcast DJ, San Diego, California

. Jeff prides himself on customizing every student's lessons based on their particular preferences, goals and skill level. "It's a very personalized kind of instruction, as I never take a cookie-cutter
approach to teaching…".
Jeff's 3 promises to all students is to give them personalized lessons, be attentive to their needs and goals. and to make them feel like every lesson is worth their investment of time and money. As long as students practice regularly, they can expect to dramatically increase their clarity of playing, their chord "inventory", their musical ear and awareness and play the songs they've always wanted to learn.

After honing his craft as a songwriter and performer, Jeff created and taught songwriting and music business classes at colleges,universities, and music schools throughout the country for many years. Some of the places he taught include UCLA Extension, Santa Monica College, Pasadena City College and The Harrison School Of Music.
When asked to summarize his views on teaching and music: "Teaching and playing music always puts a smile on my face; especially when I see that the student is having fun, learning what they want to learn and feeling the passion about music that motivated me to pursue my own musical career".

As a working singer/songwriter/guitarist, Jeff is known for his memorable melodies, intelligently crafted lyrics and heartfelt vocals. His compositions have earned him over 35 awards from various national and international songwriting contests and he's a former staff songwriter for the long-standing New York City-based publisher, Bourne Music. He has also won best music video awards at 3 international film festivals.

Some of the artists that Jeff has been compared to as a guitarist and vocalist include Keb' Mo', James Taylor, Kenny Loggins, Ry Cooder, John Mayer, Bill Withers, Jim Croce, and Don Henley.

Jeff is a NJ native, but lived and performed in Los Angeles for many years, where he worked in the studio or shared the stage with well-known artists such as Dave Koz, Norman Brown, John Daversa, Hiroshima, Little Richard and N'Dea Davenport.

Jeff catalog of over 450 songs and compositions spans virtually every genre, but many of his tunes are amalgams of pop, blues, jazz, R&B, country and rock. Quite a number of Jeff's songs
have appeared in film and TV. One that Jeff is particularly proud of, is the dynamic pop ballad, "Journey Of The Heart" (co-written by Jeanne Smith), which was licensed by the N.C.A.A. (National
Collegiate Athletic Association), who deemed it "the official anthem" of their NCAA Hall Of Champions facility in Indianapolis.

Jeff has commercially released 4 CD's of his original material: The most recent of these is his 2013 release, "Blujanova" (a merging of blues, jazz and bossa nova), which was praised by platinum selling and Grammy-nominated jazz star, Dave Koz: "Jeff's voice is so clean and pure...the production is lovely...warm and inviting...I love the interesting and surprising takes on some classics too, especially 'I Feel Good'…that brought a smile to my face!".
The other CD's stretch into other genres. "Truthteller" (bluesy pop/rock and singer/songwriter material) "Me, Myself, and I" (acoustic) and "The Spin" (pop, rock, and country-tinged singer/songwriter material). All of Jeff's albums are on his label, Relevant Records. The late great John Braheny, author of the best-selling "The Craft And Business Of Songwriting (Writer's Digest Books), gave high praise to Jeff's CD, "The Spin", calling it "honest, crafty, melodic and the songs are all exceptional". Patch.com called Jeff "a consummate songwriter".

*** Lesson Details ***
At the first lesson, I will ask you to tell me what songs you want to play and artists you want to play like and I will set the table for that by providing the chords you'll need, chord and scales and exercises to enable you to play them and guidelines and tricks on how to make it happen as quickly as possible. I know a wide variety of songs in all styles and styles, including current hit songs as well as pop, rock, blues, jazz, country songs. if you have a song or artist that I don't know already, I will learn it (often on the spot) and if not right then, at the next lesson. I have taught my students to play songs by artists as varied as Taylor Swift, U2, Jason Mraz, Adele, Eric Clapton, Django Reinhardt, Doc Watson. And that's just naming a few.

I always make it clear to my students at the first lesson: "There is no such thing as a stupid question". I want you to feel comfortable to stop me at any time to clarify what I am teaching you, ESPECIALLY if it is too difficult or vague. I pride myself on always being organized for your lesson and making sure that you grasp whatever it is I am teaching you. The goal is to get you to be able to play what you want as quickly as possible. This will take practice and dedication on your part, but I will do everything in my power to help you get there.

I never force anything on any of my students. but I feel it would be beneficial for you to learn to read music OR read tablature and chord diagrams. You tell me which one and we'll go in that direction. If you'd like to read music, then we can decide on a book for you. I have used Hal Leonard instructional books (with CD's! this way you can play with a backing track and get a sense of rhythm, which is very important), but I'm open to other method books you might have or like.

After 3 to 6 months, you will feel you are significantly more skilled on the guitar than you were before we started lessons. You will know more chords (and move from chord to chord), be able to do at least some basic fingerpicking and be able to read some music or tablature.

*** Specialties ***
Acoustic fingerstyle guitar (a la James Taylor, John Mayer, Eric Clapton, Keb' Mo', Jason Mraz, John Martyn, Jim Croce, etc.

Blues guitar a la Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Keb' Mo', Jorma Kaukonen, Ry Cooder, etc.

Bossa nova guitar

Songwriting (any aspect and any level; musically, lyrically, structurally, etc.)

the songs of Taylor Swift---quite a few of my younger students want to play her material, so I have about 15 songs ready to teach you and always learning more (by popular demand)

Adapting songs that are keyboard-based and creating arrangements of them for acoustic guitar. Examples include songs by Adele, songs by Elton John, Irina Menzel's huge hit song from "Frozen", John Legend's "All Of Me", Coldplay's "Viva La Vida", etc.

Recording on Garageband.
I became so skilled with Garageband that I was asked to give seminars at Apple Store locations, showcasing my recordings and how to use the program.

Voice-overs; performance, recording, etc.

cupy Olympus, performed by Magis Theatre Company at Flamboyan Theatre, New York International Fringe Festival in 2013.

e a living do what I love and want to share that love for life with the next generation of players!!