Davis Music 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.

teaching Elementary School Band and Choir
3 years teaching High School Band and Choir
6 years teaching privately

In my time working as a music tutor, I have helped students falling behind in their performance classes to exceed expectations and come out ahead of their class in the end. As a teacher, my students continue to impress me with their application of knowledge towards their other classes, and continue to perform and compete.

*** Lesson Details ***
The first lesson is about getting to know each other. From here, I can decide how and what should be taught.

My lessons are laid back and include small breaks, especially for beginners. I understand that learning certain techniques can be frustrating. I also understand that a student can become tired. These short two minute breaks are used to further discuss the technique, theory, and history behind the literature. It also helps to strengthen the bond that I like to create with my students.

I use much of the same curriculum that band instructors use in the Sacramento area, making transferring from private lesson to band and other ensembles easier. I focus on both solo and ensemble literature, helping the student succeed as both a solo performer and an ensemble performer. With this, I also give a small amount of theory and history so that the student can develop a relationship with their instrument and the music.

I do give practice homework for each lesson to make sure the student keeps up with what we have learned and help them achieve their goals. I may also give research homework, or give the student a worksheet to complete by the next lesson in order to better understand the music and the time period they are working with.

Lessons start with a warm up and review to cover concepts before moving on to new ones. I only teach as fast as the student would like to go. I only move on to the next exercise when the student feels comfortable and ready.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Looking into adding a studio in the Sacramento Area.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I bring my own horn for instruction. I expect the student to provide their own instrument and have their own book to work from so that they may practice between sessions.

*** Specialties ***
Teach: Classical
Specialize in Classical with emphasis in solo and ensemble playing

studied with multiple music professors and have learned their most effective teaching methods. I have taken music theory classes that allow me to explain theory in a simplified manner to students. I have been playing guitar since high school and have taken many piano classes while in school, where proficiency is necessary in order to advance in the major. In my free time, I even play drums and multiple other instruments and listen to music constantly. Music is very much my life. This allows me the versatility to teach a variety of instruments and mold myself and my students into well-rounded musicians.

perform with minimal strain. Also, I incorporate internet resources in your lessons to keep them interesting and up to date.

What will your lessons be like?
At your first lesson we will explore and name the parts of your instrument (voice or cello). We'll talk about what you would like to learn, set attainable goals and select songs that you will be successful learning.

In subsequent lessons you will warm up with scales and exercises, using common intervals with basic rhythms to improve your technical abilities and gain musical skills and knowledge, such as hearing pitches and intervals and keeping with the beat. This will also help you learn to read music.

Singers will learn to use breathing to coordinate with your vocal folds to make a beautiful tone and sing on pitch, relax your throat and tongue to create resonant chambers, shape your mouth and tongue to color the tone, and use your tongue and lips to form the words.

Cellists will learn to transfer your body weight into your cello to produce a mellow tone, placing your hands and arms on the cello and bow in a relaxed and balanced manner to allow you to play smoothly and in tune and to prepare you to produce a lovely vibrato. Since cellos don't have frets, you will also learn to locate each note on the cello but just a few notes at a time - until you know them all.

You will learn to use your technical skills and knowledge to create musical phrases that sound beautiful and authentic and are fun to perform and listen to. You will need to practice simple skills and phrases repeatedly until they become habit. I will lend you my kind and patient support to help you through the bumps in the road.

Not sure how to practice at home?
To support your practice at home you will: Receive a recording of each of your lessons to practice with; Learn simple exercises you can do at home; Learn to create and use simple backup tracks of your songs to learn to hear rhythm and harmony; Learn how to use your computer at home to get feedback for pitch, and tone quality.

Nervous about performing?
When you are comfortable I will provide opportunities to perform in student programs performing for friends and families.

You will have opportunities to participate and perform in workshops which include performance opportunities, lectures, demonstrations and Master Classes with nationally recognized teachers and performers.

a for their concert seasons. Ardalan is greatly acknowledged for sucessful performances with orchestras in Opera festivals in Italy, Chamber music festival in Germany and persian music ensembles in Iran and Dubai ,UAE.

He started teaching Violin and Viola at the age of 14 as an assistant teacher, and soon he started running a Violin studio teaching young talents making effort to help them grow musically up to their potential. Ardalan is a string instructor at Language Academy of Sacramento LAS where he teaches group string/violin classes, musicianship and chamber music to young talents. Some of His students play in youth Orchestras such as Sacramento youth Orchestra and Stonelake youth Orchestra. Ardalan is currently teaching in string Project at Sacramento State University. He teaches Private Violin lessons, conducts and coaches the orchestra.

Ardalan is a member of the Symphony Orchestra of Northern California SONIC, Benicia Ballet Theater orchestra where he plays first Violin. He is also the Co-Concertmaster of Sacramento State University Symphony Orchestra.

Ardalan currently studies Violin with Professor Anna Presler and is attending Sacramento state University School of Music majoring in music performance BM.

*** Lesson Details ***
His lessons are totally based on individual needs, abilities and long term goals. Ardalan believes that learning process for every individual is different and it is teacher's job to recognize the needs of his or her students and find instant solutions to student's problems.He gives so many performance opportunities to his students throughout the community. this can help them to combine their skills with experiences and use them for their future. for beginners he fundamentally use SUZUKI STYLE and also his own personal style of teaching. He gives an specific syllabus to his students about the materials needed to be learned in each level of violin performance. also this gives them a very clear clue about what is expected to be mastered in each level. so this way students can feel success and see the bright path to proficiency in Violin. for intermediate levels he usually uses kaiser etudes, sonatas and concertos which are recommended for this level. in the advanced level, students start to learn Bach sonatas and partitas, plus working on valuable etude books like Kruetzer or Rode,also concertos will be offered to students based on their skills and level of advancement in this level of teaching.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Piano, stand, metronome, recording equipment, sound acoustic

*** Travel Equipment ***
Instrument, learning materials

t the most out of it.

**In your first lesson, I will get to know you by asking for your vocal history, influences, goals, and style. Most importantly, “What would you like to get out of this lesson?” Every singer has different challenges, needs, and goals, so I approach each student and lesson as a unique experience where the student’s most pressing needs will be addressed.

I’ll give you an honest idea of where your voice needs to grow and then will work with the tools to get there! You will get a personalized lesson plan to practice with. Like a gym workout routine, these exercises will target your weak areas to correct bad habits and build a strong, balanced instrument.

**I will ask you to sing a song…… your latest repertoire, “Happy Birthday,” "twinkle twinkle little star", something just to get an idea of your voice and style. Then I will take you through a few singing technique exercises to quickly assess your strengths and challenges.

**As your technical abilities grow, you need to apply them to songs. The key is to maintain the same easy feeling in your songs that came out in the exercises. Bring in your music and we can work out any kinks and I will also suggest appropriate material in your key and style that will build upon the successes of your exercises. Stylistic and performance coaching is available, but our focus is technique, if you don’t learn HOW to sing, WHAT you sing will always be limited. I will work with you so that as a singer, you will be able to sing through a greater range with more consistency. As a performer. you will become confident that your voice will deliver time after time. My goal is to help you sing in a free, natural manner, while keeping your lessons engaging and fun.

-EAR TRAINING -
As a choir and vocal director, I am trained to listen and pay special attention to all the details including pitch, vibrato, dynamic and harmonies. I will help you learn to listen and gain confidence to "hear" progressions in the music and their voice.

-STYLES/GENRES -
Being a worship leader, choir and vocal director in a major urban church in the Sacramento area, I have over 13 years experience as a gospel artist and contemporary christian singer, singing, performing and recording with many gospel artists and contemporary christian artists, both local and professional. I have recorded and performed with such artists as Israel Houghton, Lincoln Brewster, BJ Putnan, Trent Corey, Darnisha Taylor and the Porter Brothers.

-SINGING/VOICE TRAINING -
I am a Voice Teacher (student) with the Institute for Vocal Advancement. The IVA technique is based on 17th and 18th Century principles of singing developed by the Old Italian School of Singing. Our goal is to train voices to sing in a free and natural manner, smoothly, from the bottom of the range to the top with no breaks or sudden changes in quality. Training in this technique gives the singer access to all dynamics, with tonal clarity and flexibility. Also, training in this technique helps improve a singer's range, endurance, stamina, breath control, resonance, vocal strength and vocal quality across all styles of music without fatigue or damage to the voice. We accomplish these results by training the singer to find a balance between airflow and intrinsic muscular resistance, all within a resting laryngeal posture.

=PERFORMANCE OR AUDITION PREP-
As a former entertainment business professional and singer, I have experience in dance, choreography, stage blocking, performance technique and vocal coaching. I will help you prepare for your performances and/or auditions to present the best YOU, that you can be!

UITY unions.

music full time.

ler principal trombone of the Chicago Lyric Opera, and Per Brevig, retired principal trombone of the Metropolitan Opera in New York City.