Coronado Music Lessons

opera, operetta, and church music. With solid vocal technique my students are able to cross genres with ease, and sing whatever inspires them musically.

I currently play viola with the La Jolla Symphony, and have sung with the San Diego Master Chorale and the San Diego Symphony. I was concertmaster in several symphony orchestras and have played as section leader for viola in numerous groups. I also play in and manage a string quartet and am also currently coaching small group string ensembles. My siblings and I have played in our family string quartet for over 20 years, and still perform together. Most recently I was chosen to record a new song Glow for Disneyland's California Adventure World of Color Winter Dreams.

I am comfortable teaching with various different methods, and cater lesson plans to the individual student. With over 14 years of teaching experience, I have taught students that vary in age from 3 to 75 years old, and am very comfortable with teaching children.

*** Lesson Details ***
Lessons are fun. My philosophy is that students should have music in their lives and benefit from the lessons they take now for years to come. Learning to play a musical instrument will help students with math skills, study habits, and develop a skill that will last for a lifetime.

After 3 months students will understand the fundamentals of their string instrument or voice, know how to care for their instrument, warm up properly, be able to read and play/sing introductory passages. After 6 months the student will have learned basic music theory, how to read music, and have advanced through playing/singing multiple songs.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I have a violin and viola that I bring to assist in teaching lessons. I expect that the students provide an instrument and their books. A keyboard or piano is essential for voice students for vocalization. A student need not know how to play piano in order to take voice lessons.

*** Specialties ***
Vocal students are encouraged to pick songs from whatever genre sparks their interest. With violin and viola I use the suzuki method of training and follow the books and lessons, I use other books to supplement scales/technique.

ificate examination and to participate in other competitions

I believe we are striving for the same goal --- make this music learning experience FUN and FULFILLING

*** Travel Equipment ***
All games tools are provided by myself. I expect my student have their own books

*** Specialties ***
Classical, Pop, Easy Jazz

Lesson Details ***
Beginning - Advanced Piano Class

Basic - Advanced Music Theory

ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal School of Music) Piano Exams

*** Specialties ***
music, piano
Classical

al, individual, flexible approach, to give my students each what benefits him/her the most. I emphasize proper technique, beauty of tone, musical interpretation, and enjoyment. Music theory is intertwined with the instruction. And we play lots of duets!
I also play the piano, thus sometimes accompany my flute students.

*** Studio Equipment ***
living room with console piano w/ seating for parents

*** Specialties ***
Classical, popular, light jazz, folk, Celtic

nstitute of Technology co founder Joe Diorio) pro touring guitarist Christopher Eck of the band Masterguru, former students of guitar virtuosos Greg Howe and Joe Stump and many other serious amateur and professional musicians.

*** Lesson Details ***
Heavily influenced by legendary virtuoso guitarists Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai and Yngwie Malmsteen, Nikola's goal as a teacher is to convey his knowledge and expertise of the guitar on to others while emphasizing his own style, which exemplifies speed, intensity and finesse. While his exploits in rock guitar gymnastics continue to attract and inspire new players, Nik's approach to teaching is simplistic, yet highly effective and suitable for young beginners and adults of all ages.

Nikola M's guitar lessons are professional, insightful, progressive and cover a wide and exciting spectrum including:

The Rudiments of Music

* Chords
* Rhythm studies
* Scales
* Warm up stretches
* Sight reading for beginners
* Theory
* Modes

Technique and Repertoire

* Lead improvisation
* Ear training
* Dynamics

Master Class

* Sweep picking
* Speed picking
* Arpeggios and pentatonics
* Two-hand tapping
* Chicken picking
* Blues improvisation

*** Travel Equipment ***
Amplifier (if needed)

*** Specialties ***
Heavily influenced by legendary virtuoso guitarists Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai and Yngwie Malmsteen, my goal as a teacher is to convey my knowledge and expertise of the guitar on to others while emphasizing my own style, which exemplifies speed, intensity and finesse. In addition to teaching various genres like pop, jazz, country and folk, I specialize in instructing virtuoso rock and progressive metal guitar techniques.

Bird, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Glen Hansard, Gregory Alan Isakov, Iron and Wine, The Milk Carton Kids, Simon and Garfunkel, M.Ward, Of Monsters & Men, Nick Drake, Elliot Smith, Ray LaMontagne, The Mountain Goats, .. I'm just realizing that could go on for a long time so I'll pause there.

I also I stay up to speed on most contemporary artists for the sake of my students. I regularly teach songs current pop artists in the interest of maintaining student engagement.

My real musical passion is in Classical Guitar music. There are few things that give me more joy than playing classical guitar. I love any opportunity to share that with someone eager to learn. I prefer to start from scratch with classical guitar students but will work with more advanced students when requested.

*** Lesson Details ***
In my lessons I like to start by reviewing what has been learned in the previous lesson, making sure to address any concerns before teaching anything new. To ensure the student is truly learning and maintaining what I teach during our lessons we will do some short musical exercises which apply to that week's lesson, as well as some musical repertoire that reinforces the new principles taught in that lesson. I feel that correct repetitive practice of these exercises and music will ensure happiness with your progression as a musician. I do my best to learn the musical interests of my students and to personalize each lesson/assignment so that they remain engaged and excited.

*** Studio Equipment ***
I have small studio space connected to my family room with a Piano and my guitars/amps (and any other instruments my wife and I have collected over the years). Parents can sit in studio or relax in the family room during lessons. It's a nice quiet suburban area and there's plenty of parking.

IMPORTANT: For those with serious pet allergies, I do have calm, friendly, non-intrusive pets.

es. In 1982, I became interested in classic rock and founded my band, The Mar Dels. During my time with the band, I’ve learned and performed many classic rock hits. One of the best-known dance/party bands in San Diego, the Mar Dels continue to play at private and public events locally, nationally, and globally.

*** Lesson Details ***
I give my guitar students a solid background in right and left hand technique. This includes finger picking technique for the right hand as well as flat picking. It’s important for students develop a correct left hand position, if they wish to continue to play for many years without injury to the left hand. It’s also very important to young students who may wish to move into classical music. Most classical guitar music can’t be played well with a standard rock left hand technique, but all rock music can be played very well with a good classical left hand technique. 

Most of the studies I use with my students are songs, scales and arpeggios from my personal library, so it won’t be necessary for my students to buy any books right away. However, if students want some additional materials to review, I can suggest some titles.

I emphasize the quality of sound that the student produces with the instrument. Many musicians feel that playing a piece of music is like running a 100-yard dash. I prefer that my students play at a comfortable tempo and create beautiful sounds, rather than rushing through a song simply to show an ability to play fast. I feel that it’s very important to practice any new piece or exercise at a slow tempo till it can be played well with relaxed hands. When the tempo is gradually increased, one acquires beauty with speed.

Within the first three months, the average student should be able to play some open position chords, bar chords, and arpeggios, and be able to improvise over a chord progression using four or more notes from at least one pentatonic scale. I like my students to learn at least one guitar solo (a piece that features guitar either solo or with accompaniment) within six months that they could play for their friends or parents. If the student’s goal is to use the guitar to accompany their voice, they can learn to sing and play at the same time. This is a special skill that takes time to master, and is something that I have done for years. I’m happy to share my ideas on how to develop this skill with my students.

Ultimately, the progress of the student depends on their talent level and their desire to acquire skills. If a student is interested in only one style of playing, I am happy to focus on it; however, I have a very broad skill set on the guitar and I like my students to develop as many techniques as possible.

*** Equipment ***
Depending on the student’s interest, I bring either a steel string or a classical guitar, and I prefer that the student also have an appropriate instrument. If it’s an introductory lesson for a beginning student, I can bring an instrument for them to use for the lesson.

*** Specialties ***
Since 1982 I have played guitar in The Mar Dels, a popular dance and party band so I am familiar with most pop, blues & rock styles of playing.

I have always loved the classical guitar and I am especially interested in good technique and tonal quality.

thrive on structure and goals, and I have developed a unique approach to practicing that gets results. I teach all ages and skill levels to play saxophone, clarinet, and flute. I cover many styles, from concert band, to jazz, blues, soul, and R&B, theory, tone, articulation, and more. I am experienced with preschoolers to middle school-age children, high school and college ages, nervous adult beginners, and special needs students.

I recommend the following lesson structure:
• First-time beginners: one 30-minute lesson per week
• Older beginners to intermediate students: one 45 minute lesson per week
• Advanced students: 60 minutes once each week

My approach to lessons is to support a competition-free environment where every level of player can feel comfortable, have fun, and make fast and steady progress. Students are also encouraged to participate in all-ages jam sessions, and at our recitals.

I work from my home studio on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Centrally located in La Mesa, my studio is just a few minutes east of Qualcomm Stadium. Plenty of free parking, and parents are encouraged to sit in during lessons.

On Thursdays, I'm in my La Jolla studio on Girard at La Jolla Music.

My own teaching experience includes private post-secondary, SDSU’s College of Extended Studies, and I’ve facilitated and run woodwind master classes at Grossmont and Valhalla High Schools.

patience which I find makes them more apt to relax, listen, learn, feel the music and have fun!

technique is good technique, and a proficient musician should and can jump from one style to another with ease.