Cotati, CA Songwriting Lessons

but will may assign a book after the first few lessons. Students should have an empty three-ring binder handy or iPad in addition to owning their own guitar or piano/keyboard. I recommend supporting local music stores before going to the big chains. I can help with choosing an instrument if needed.

Within 6 months*, the student should know and be able to play major and minor chords (instruments only), understand basic music notation, time signatures, and be able to follow basic sheet music. Students are encouraged to name songs that they wish to learn to keep them excited and interested in learning.

Emphasis will be on accuracy, performance techniques and having fun!

* results will vary with each student.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Each student needs a guitar or piano/keyboard and a 3 ring binder.

*** Specialties ***
Guitar, Piano, Songwriting: Folk, Rock, Blues & Country.

I am also fortunate to work with screenwriters.
I strive to collaborate with my artists to make sure they are out working in the industry. And they are.
I work in the San Francisco Bay Area, LA and Online. I am available to travel. I offer artistic and industry assistance at no additional charge. When you study acting / singing performance w/ me you'll also learn about the BUSINESS OF SHOW BUSINESS.
We will work on technique, audition technique, monologues, scene work, as well study all aspects of acting and singing performance in order to prepare you for where you want to be as an artist.
Actors and Singers
Auditions!!
They are definitely the most difficult and nerve wracking part of being an actor or singer, right? Booking work means your audition has to be as good as opening night.
Auditioning is about preparation and preparation takes consistent support. Look, showbiz is not a business about being alone. Artists thrive when working together. We are a collaborative bunch and collaborating to make sure you're ready and organized for your auditions makes sense.
Stop trying to muscle through this necessary step alone. No one who works consistently does that! They ask for help. ASK FOR HELP!!
Solidify your acting choices so you don't have to worry about them the day before your audition. Know your prep so you can internally drop into it when the casting director says, "Whenever you're ready."
Have your music material and performance choices prepared ahead of time.
BE AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.
Work with me when your agent sends you your sides so you show up READY. Know your lines. It's OK if your struggling with memorization.
Let's figure out How YOU memorize.
Let me coach you for online audition submissions.
If we are working virtually I will coach while you are taping yourself to submit your online audition. It works!
Let me collaborate with on script analysis in order for you to you understand your material before you audition.
Take your work seriously so you bring your most intelligent and inspiring work to the audition rooms.
You'll be bringing the agents, casting directors, directors, producers and writers the inspiration they crave regarding their beloved projects. Do that and you're gonna book.
I know you can work and I can't wait to make it happen with you.  
About Kathryn
Kathryn is a member of the Sag-Aftra and Actors Equity and BMI and is a Critics Circle Award Winner.
Kathryn has worked with such legends as Tennessee Ernie Ford, Ben Vereen, Word Baker, who directed the first a one-act version of “The Fantastics” and then the historic two-act show, Sandy Duncan, Loretta Lynn, Flip Wilson. She studied at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) and HB Studio in New York City.
For Parents of Minor:
I'm available to help you understand this somewhat confusing industry.
Vocal Coaching Available - Vocal Coaching
Music Performance - Technique and Performance- songwriting

About Kathryn and Music

KATHRYN K is a soulful singer and prolific songwriter.
You can find more about Kathryn's music and her life story, which has allowed her to be of service to many, in national and local media, including: The Oakland Tribune, the San Francisco Chronicle, the San Jose Mercury News, Broadway World, Reader's Digest, NPR, The Gil Gross Show, The Montel Williams Show, and The Mancow Muller Show, NPR and Woman Magazine, UK.
Kathryn has released a video and CD with Multi - Grammy winning producer and drummer, Narada Michael Walden, Tarpan Records in Marin County, Ca. Walden says, "Kat is bringing the message of hope, light, love and faith to people's lives." Walden says. "I am proud of her and her divine mission."
Gil Gross, Host The Gil Gross Show –Radio, ABC "I have loved Kathryn's music from the day I first heard her sing, but even being a fan of her recordings did not prepare me for seeing her perform live. She is a great live performer holding her audience willing captives to each turn of a melody and the drama of every lyric. She more than sings. She inhabits a song and involves each member of the audience in its drama, joy or sorrow. There are performers for whom a performance is a night out. When Kathryn performs it’s a lifetime shared with us in a single evening. If you want to merely hear some tunes, there are many people who will do. If you want a real experience in music, there is Kathryn.
Kathryn's latest show is being created with director David Ford (Marsh Theatre) and Kevin Gerzevitz and her concerts features a who’s who list of world-renowned musicians: Gerzevitz and Grammy-Nominated Bassist, Michael Manring; Album of the Year Winner, Trumpeter, Jeff Oster; Master Percussionist, Joe Venegoni; Guitar Virtuoso, Tom Lattanand; Critically Acclaimed Pianist, Kelly Park; Celebrated Flutist, Barbara Else; and from the Steve Winwood Band, Brazilian-born Drummer, Celso Alberti.
Kathryn has played a variety of venues, including the renowned Yoshi's Oakland Jazz Club, the Bitter End and Symphony Space in New York City, the Knitting Factory in Los Angeles, the Plush Room and the Fairmont in San Francisco, as well as Mill Valley's premier showcase, the Throckmorton Theatre, Theatre on the Square, the Beacon Theatre, Great American Music Hall,The Mint, The Fairmont, to name a few. She has Cd's at all outlets.

Yoshi's SF, the Regency, Bimbo's & the Sweetwater.
My teaching experience goes back over twenty years and I relocated to Marin County in the Bay Area in 1995 where I've been teaching extensively since 2002. Since then I have helped hundreds of students realize their dream of learning to play piano and keyboards as well as read music, play perfectly in time and learn songwriting skills. Playing music is fun & easy......I can show you just how easy it is!!

*** Lesson Details ***
My style is laid back with a large supply of patience and devotion to my students. I teach beginning , intermediate & advanced piano and keyboards (including organ). For adult beginning piano students I use the John Thompson Modern Course for the Piano Grade One along with Thompson's Note, Scale & Chord Speller books and flash cards for a quick and easy route to learning how to read music and basic music theory. For kids (5-7) I like Thompson's "Teaching Little Fingers to Play" along with the kid's music theory books by Linda Ng.
In the first six months students can expect to study basic finger exercises and scales, how to read music easily and quickly, how to play perfectly in time & develop a repertoire of songs to play. Once students have learned basic skills it is possible to explore many different genres including classical, jazz, blues, rock, reggae and much more. I customize the lessons to fit each student's needs and desires and can also help the students with songwriting and learning from the recorded works of great artists!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Beautiful 1884 carved English maplewood Estey upright piano!

*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide the books and supplies at cost...students should have some kind of keyboard to practice on...preferably a real piano although I have taught many students initially on electric keyboards.

*** Specialties ***
I teach beginning, intermediate & advanced piano in the styles of classical, jazz, blues, rock, r&b, pop, country, etc. ages 5-105! Usually I start beginners in the John Thompson method & speller books along with music flash cards and then am willing to shift into different styles as the students gain basic skills.

we can proceed to plan our path to the stated goals. This plan will of necessity be unique to each student.

Obviously, expectations for the lessons would depend on the student’s starting point but I would say that for a child piano student who is just beginning, it would be reasonable to expect that within 3-6 months they would be able to play songs by reading the music. These would include some songs of their own choosing as well as some that I might recommend. For adult piano students, although reading is highly encouraged, our goals might take us in a different direction.

For songwriting students, we might choose to forego working at the piano entirely and instead take our lessons into my recording studio. It all depends on our goals and the path that we choose to get there. We might spend an entire lesson on lyrics. But I really like to see a student leave each lesson with some concrete progress on their song, and preferably with it documented on a recording. Depending on the level of the student, after 3-6 months I anticipate that we would have at least a few songs written and demoed.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Music Room: 2 vertical pianos

*** Travel Equipment ***
I expect the student to provide a piano or appropriate keyboard in a well lit room. I would also expect a bench and music stand.
I could provide a digital recorder and a metronome.

*** Specialties ***
blues, jazz, pop and rock

c, from San Francisco State University. By now, I am confident in working with whatever musical material students offer! Thank you.

*** Lesson Details ***
I am a laid back teacher, but I definitely expect students to practice what I suggest they practice. I advise that students use method books or sheet music of some sort, and I will certainly make notes for them and create materials they can learn from. I always teach based on the goals of the student and what type of music they enjoy, but I also like to guide the student in a direction I think would benefit them. I usually introduce music to play right away, conforming of course to the skill level and interest of the student. I now play seven-string guitar, which is just a six-string guitar (same tuning and technique) with an extra low string. It will be practical to aide students by accompanying with a bass range instrument.

*** Specialties ***
Guitar
I consider myself a Jazz musician, but I am happy to consider a very wide range of styles. I am focusing now on music of the Spanish Golden Age, 1500-1700.

ly a few years of
practice, I started playing professionally, in bands and solo guitar.
Live playing experience, I believe, is the most important experience
that any musician can have, in that, the most important part of music
is how it sounds, and playing in front of people is the quickest way
to learn how to play effectively. And this is what I teach; how to
be a musician, not just a technician.

*** Lesson Details ***
A student can expect a curriculum tailor-made to their needs and personality. Every person learns differently and this is an important distinction in my teaching style. Some students need a strong hand to keep them working, others need to find many different ways to the same conclusion to keep them focused, while still others need a laid-back friend in order to accept knowledge.

I stress rhythmic literacy, for, as my jazz teacher always said, "rhythm is king." If composition is important to you, then we'll focus on music theory, but if you're just wanting to learn how to play some fun rock tunes with your friends on the weekends, we can do that as well. As I stated before, we'll get you playing in front of people in no time.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide an amplifier, a loner guitar (if needed), staff and/or tablature paper, metronome, pens and paper for the lessons.

*** Specialties ***
Music theory and composition, guitar, bass, lute, beginner to intermediate piano
Classical, shred, blues, and rock guitar; renaissance lute; blues, rock and slap bass; composition of many styles; world music.

hest marks ever in the country for Grade 8 piano when I was 14 years old and I haven't looked back! I've performed all over the world as a singer, and have always incorporated my piano as much as I can. I have had a joint number one in the UK, as well as other singles in the charts and have done arena tours throughout the UK and Europe. I have masses of performance experience and a lot of industry contacts as well.

Get in touch and we'll go from there! I'm excited to meet you and chat about what you want to achieve.