Cortaro, AZ Songwriting Lessons

tial scholarship to the Art Institute of Philadelphia, and relocated to NYC shortly after graduating.

Her unique music, performances, art and internet videos have won many awards and critical acclaim.

She has performed her music and written segments and songs for television (including ABC’s “Good Morning America”, MTV’s “I Bet You Will”, Fox News “Red Eye with Greg Gutfeld”, IFC's "Comedy Music Hall of Fame", HGTV's Flea Market Flip, TBS’s “Saving Grace” website and “The Tyra Banks Show”), radio (including "The Dr. Demento Show", "The Jackie Martling Show", WFMU's "Spreading Yourself Thin with Jessica D" and “The Opie and Anthony Radio Show” on SiriusXM, BBC’s “Loose Ends Radio Programme” and BBC’s “The Simone Show” in the UK), feature films (including “What Would Jesus Buy?” directed by Morgan Spurlock), commercially for major clients and also on stages across the US and the UK (including London’s prestigious Soho Theatre, NYC’s Irving Plaza, Joe’s Pub and The Bowery Ballroom as John Waters’ opening act, and LA’s Troubadour).

*** Lesson Details ***
Jessica brings a lot of fun to her lessons. She is like a cool aunt or a big sister who likes to have a good time but who also wants to teach you to play guitar or ukulele and sing, hopefully at the same time. Jessica's laid back style and attention to your needs as a student will help you reach your goals, whatever they may be. Together, you will go as fast or as slow as is comfortable for you. Jessica works with classic rock, pop, folk and all your favorite songs as your step ladder for learning. Jessica also can help you develop your own musical style and teach you to write YOUR OWN SONGS from beginning to end, if that is of interest to you.

*** Studio Equipment ***
amp, microphone, keyboard, guitar, ukulele, music stands

*** Travel Equipment ***
Guitar and Ukulele. Students can rent instruments initially but must get their own, as soon as possible

*** Specialties ***
Classic stringed instruments such as acoustic / electric guitar and ukulele, and several unusual instruments such as singing saw and electronic and standard autoharp, singing, songwriting and guidance on how to monetize your band, including acquiring sponsorships and arranging local and international tours.

***What Are Lessons Like?***
Student(s) and teacher sit together and start with the basics, then move on to learn others' songs (The Beatles or other classics are a good place to start) and then may even try to compose original songs, if that is of interest.

***Affiliations***
Women In Music
ASCAP
The Recording Academy, Associate Member
Comedy Musician's Coalition

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

d chord charts.Pick and fingerstyle techniques,Improvisation and playing by ear.
HOW TO PLAY LIKE!!!!
Break down songs and techniques into easily digestible chunks. Individual segments are played slowly first,then brought to speed.
You'll find you're learning and improving faster than you ever believed possible.
CLASSIC ROCK: From Aerosmith to ZZTOP.
GUITAR HEROES:From Randy Rhoads to Yngwie Malmsteen
TEXAS COUNTRY: From Randy Rogers to Charlie Robinson.
TEXAS BLUES: From Freddie King to Stevie Ray Vaughan.
METAL GUITAR: CLASSIC 70's to Today's Heroes
PROGRESSIVE ROCK-METAL: From Dream Theater to Periphery..
CLASSICAL GUITAR: From Bach to Vivaldi.
And many more Styles, send me a question and ask about your personal music choice.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Located in Specious one room of a three bedroom condo, Marshall amps ,Martin,Taylor Jackson, Dean, ESP,Takamine, Epiphone and Ovation guitars, use a plasma TV, guitar pro software, keyboards, recording softwear.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Guitar and amps. books.
Student: metronome and tuner.

*** Specialties ***
Finger Picking Techniques,MusicTheory and How to get a good sound with your guitar.

een a member of the Music of Oz Studio staff in Crown Point, Indiana since Jan. 2011 and is looking forward to teaching out of her home now as well. Chrissy is crazy about all her students and wants them to succeed! She's very much looking forward to working with you and having buckets of fun! :-)

d many others. She has been producing music and vocals in the recording studio, coaching voice, piano, songwriting, rap writing, performance, studio, jazz, blues, classical, pop and artist development for the past 20 years. She was operatically trained by Juilliard instructor Sylvia Bagley, trained as a jazz singer at world re-known Berklee College of Music, where she won several songwriting awards, and was R & B/Pop trained by Vocal Coach To The Stars, Seth Riggs. In 2010 she had a #6 Billboard hit dance song, which she wrote and sang and 2 top 10 hits in 2016. She has written, recorded and performed songs in several different languages for a variety of films, television shows, and commercials such as Nickelodeon's Hollywood Heights, The Natalee Holloway Story, Spike Lee Productions, Barbie, Ponds, Target, Ford, Mazda, Pontiac, The Guiding Light, The Young and The Restless. MTV and several others. Fawn has also sung, written and played in many different styles from Jazz/Blues to Classical to Pop to children's to Opera.

Fawn is a very fun, yet honest and straight-forward coach. She loves working with adults and children, and considers lessons a 'team effort to reach her students' goals. Being that music and the entertainment business are her career and life, she is current and relevant, yet has plenty of old school training to be well rounded and help students build a strong foundation. Music and the entertainment business are her life, and she loves helping people reach their goals and meet their dreams. She has released 5 albums, several singles, won numerous awards and worked with such talents as Grammy winners Lalah Hathaway and Paula Cole, Meredith Brooks, Vampire Diaries Kat Grahm, BT, Jeff Goldblum, Right Said Fred, Ed Townsend, QD3, Club Nuveau's Val Watson, Robbie Benson and shared the stage with Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Carol Channing, Kevin Sorbo, Pink, Joss Stone, David Guetta, Katy Perry, Moby, Dionne Warwick, James Torme', David Foster, Thelma Houston, David Pomeranz, War and countless others. She has also worked with Kevin Costner, Alexandra Paul, David Marshall Grant, Florence Henderson, Jay Leno, Hulk Hogan, Darryl Hannah, Tommy Lee, Martin Lawrence, Magic Johnson, Pamela Anderson, Jermaine Dupri, Rae Dawn Chong, Eva Longoria, Joan Rivers, Erik Estrada, John Amos, and others appearing with them in film, TV and benefits for worthy causes.

Over the years, Fawn has been known to bring students into her inner circle, so they can gain more experience and exposure, taking them to red carpets, events and even putting them up onstage to perform. She remembers having piano, voice and songwriting coaches, and being frustrated in voice because instructors were not addressing issues that needed to be addressed. This is why she creates a positive and comfortable, safe environment so students can open up and progress quickly. Fawn moves straight to the heart of the matter and gets whatever needs work figured out, so students can move on to what their goals and dreams are. She has helped actors be able to sing parts for their TV shows, helped popular bands be able to have good stage performances and presence with precision dancing and singing and has helped vocalists find their true voice. She is able to get piano students as young as 5 to a high-level Concerto level of playing with in 3 years, completely reading the pieces on their own. The youngest person she has ever taught was 3 years old and blind. The oldest person she has ever taught so far taught was 89 years old, after suffering a stroke. She was able to help her get her voice back within 20 minutes of her first lesson. Fawn also does vocal rehabilitation, vocal therapy, and music therapy. She has worked with special needs children with Downs Syndrome, ADHD, ADD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Pit Hopkins Disease and more. As far as being a songwriter, Fawn generally writes words and music at the same time but she has also written lyrics and music separately, as well as composed instrumental pieces. Fawn trained with Pat Pattison and Grammy winning Lyricist Marty Panzer in lyric writing and she is a master at producing, recording and editing vocals, and is happy to help you with your recording projects, as she owns Terrace Recording Studios in Los Angeles, CA.

Brief Synopsis of Professional Experience:

- Platinum and Gold Award Winning Vocal Coach
- Began in the Entertainment Industry at age 6 months, starring in several National TV Commercials
- Recording Artist and songwriter of Billboard Top 10 Hit song "Wish U Love"
- Recording Artist and songwriter of Top 10 Hit song "Solitude"
- Recording Artist and songwriter of Top 10 Hit song "Where Has Your Love Gone"
- Award Winning Songwriter/Lyricist
- Grammy Winning Vocal and Songwriting Clientele
- Berklee College Of Music
-Seasoned Jazz, Pop, Blues and Commercial vocalist
I can get them to Concerto level in 3 years, completely reading music on their own and self sufficient. I teach all of the important fundamentals for a strong foundation, but to the PERSONALITY of the person, because each of us has different styles, different points of view, different things that block us, different things that inspire us. I teach the same, important fundamentals necessary for a strong foundation, but tailor make it to each individual. I teach all styles of music.

I love working with individuals and groups who want to meet their musical dreams, achieve success in their entertainment careers and/or take their abilities and talents to a higher quality level. I have been known to take some of my students on red carpets with me as well as get them performing opportunities and put them in high level networking situations as well.

- Patient
- All ages (have taught 3-89 so far!)
- Great with kids (of all ages!)
- Studio Session Vocal Coaching
- I teach children and adults with special needs
- Injured Chords/Vocal Therapy/Voice Rehabilitation
- Live Performance and Stage Presence
- Music Therapy for special needs

SONGWRITING
Learn song form, tighten lyrics and melodies, get inspired when you don't "feel" like writing, good prosody, copyright, legalities, how to place songs in film and TV, record your finished song in the studio.

PIANO LESSONS
Emphasis on reading music, classical training, music theory, fingering, improv, chords and ear training. All styles of music are taught-Classical/Jazz/Ragtime/Pop/Broadway/R&B-Chord Charts, How to Accompany a Singer, Compose Music, Write songs and Play Piano while Singing. Learn about the origin of music, composers, how styles of music evolved.

VOICE LESSONS
"Make A Stop at the Vocal Shop"
Learn correct breathing, how to put emotion in your voice, how to connect with your fan base and audience, how to expand your vocal range, style a song, address pitch problems, microphone technique, ear training, how to change your voice for different styles of singing, Opera/R & B/Pop/Jazz/Gospel/Broadway/Jingle singing - Studio singing vs. Live singing, performance, songwriting, lyric writing, stage presence, recording artist packaging, preparation and auditions, recording studio vocal coaching for studio sessions. I have also studied with Seth Riggs and teach his methods. For people who are tone def, or completely off pitch, I can get you on pitch with in 3 lessons.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Recording Studio:
Complete professional home studio with vocal both. Equipment confidential, but includes piano, guitars, microphones, vocal booth, music stands, step master and much more.
Billboard Hit Song, Best Dance Album of the Year and Best Dance Single of The Year Recorded there, as well as many other songs for film and TV.

Kitchen and Bathroom. 400 square feet. Seating for additional guests, parents. Lighting and Disco ball! :)

*** Travel Equipment ***
Amp, Microphone, Teaching Materials, Video Camera, iPad, recorder, other

*** Specialties ***
*Voice-I specialize in Body Programming, Vocal Rehabilitation, Music Therapy, as well as Seth Riggs's technique. I combine those two techniques, plus my own experience of being in the entertainment industry since the age of 6 months old. Some of the things I cover are range, singing correctly, finding your mix, finding your middle, strengthening your head voice, strengthening your chest voice, vocal placement, correct breathing, singing with feeling, singing in different languages, opera, jazz, pop, Broadway, jingle singing, scat singing, blues, rock, hip hop, r and b, children's, and more.
*Piano-all genres are covered with an emphasis on classical, but I also cover-jazz, pop, songwriting, ragtime etc. Theory, technique, ear training and more
*Songwriting- good prosody, melody, lyrical meter, chords and more.
*I teach what is needed, and tailor the lesson to the personality and individual goals. All students have are given a strong foundation to build on.

nesthetic learners or a combination of the three. By adapting teaching methods to these learning methods, great results can be produced in a short time.

sity of Illinois, specializing in Ethnomusicology (the study of music of different cultures). This education gave him a strong background in music theory and history in the Western tradition, but also opened him up to a vast experience of a diverse cross section of music from around the world. His insatiable love for learning new instruments started here, where he studied music from West Africa to Bali.

Currently Ryan is a co-lead singer, songwriter and stringed instrument player for the local band Distant Brothers, a folk rock band based out of Chicago. They play venues throughout the Midwest, with some of the notable venues being House of Blues, Metro and Cubby Bear in Chicago. Another highlight of his time with the band has been a collaboration with Oistrakh Symphony Orchestra, where he not only was able to play in collaboration with the orchestra, but joined in the arranging and conceptualization of some of the pieces played.

lues Raga video if you want to hear a good story about what I mean.

Recently I've had several articles published by the TakeLessons Blog. Check out my most recent post here.
http://takelessons.com/blog/how-to-play-acoustic-guitar-like-john-mayer-z01