Glendora, CA Clarinet Lessons

, and choir.

I have also taught woodwinds for various high schools across southern California, as well as a marching/visual coach for marching bands.

I front and lead my own Christian Contemporary Band. We've recorded two albums, of which I have composed the original music/lyrics, and produced both albums. We are currently working on our third album.

I can teach everything from jazz, to classical, rock, blues, Latin genres (salsa, merengue, bolero, mambo, etc.), and even contemporary Christian music in both English and Spanish.

I mix all of these experiences and knowledge into a big melting pot, and apply it very efficiently and wisely so that my students can positively benefit from a wonderful and exciting real-world musical journey!

*** Lesson Details ***
I base my lessons around the student's needs for musical growth, and their own likes and dislikes. If there is something specific that the student wants to learn, as far as a style/genre or piece of music, I foster that and I help encourage musical growth and enjoyment around that.
I am constantly encouraging my students to listen to as much music as possible, or better yet, to watch and listen to as much live music as possible. I strongly believe that this nurtures musical growth and serves as a role model.
I am very patient and laid back, but I do expect the student to have fun while staying constant with individual practice. There is no substitution for perseverance, consistency, and hard work, but it doesn't mean that we will not have fun while we make music!

*** Studio Equipment ***
An upright Yamaha acoustic piano is available, along with a Korg and Kurzweil digital keyboards, music stands, computer music software for studying repertoire (music), a large collection/library of books containing scales, exercises, music, etc. I also can make copies or print something for you if necessary. A sound system is available for listening to something is necessary. Flute, saxophone, and clarinet students must provide their own instrument, but I can point you in the right direction in terms of acquiring an instrument either for purchase or rental from a local music retail store.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Students must provide their own instrument, except piano if student comes to my home for lessons. Student must also provide books (as assigned), and metronome for practicing at home. I can carry with me things such as: saxophone, clarinet, flute, a portable music stand, metronome/tunes, pencil, paper, and any other book(s) or materials as needed.  

*** Specialties ***
I can teach classical, jazz/contemporary, funk, latin, blues, contemporary Christian, improvisation and music theory at very advanced levels.

Details ***
All lessons are tailored to the students needs and goals. I like for all students to have serious music/etudes to work on as well as something fun that you enjoy playing. I teach everything from classical to pop music, beginner to advanced, age 4 to 99. Whatever your goals are, I can help you achieve them!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Music stand and chair

*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide nothing, students must have instrument, books and music stand.

*** Specialties ***
Contemporary flute techniques and performance.
Early childhood music and movement for young children.

's important for students to feel successful from day 1, and it's my goal to have each student playing a song by the end of the first lesson. We sing, move, and play our way through music!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Casio PX-800 digital 88 weighted key piano
personal instruments
metronome
tuner
music stand

*** Travel Equipment ***
Personal instruments
metronome
tuner
music stand

*** Specialties ***
Improvisation, Composition, Music Theory.

2nd (3rd, 4th) instrument training

Early readers, young students

Non-traditional learners

love or reading through a classical concerto, I’ll help prepare you or your child to tackle a wide variety of styles, without missing out on any of the basics that turn good players into phenomenal musicians. We all know it’s not about being the best. It’s about having fun, and playing music well is definitely fun.

Practice makes perfect! Learning an instrument helps build self-confidence and discipline. If your child’s bored, distracted, or just needs a constructive hobby, music is a great place to get them interested in something that will help them feel better about themselves, and the effects will be felt across everything else they do, through better studying habits to a more patient, diligent work ethic.

It’s also relaxing! Stressed about work? Need an escape? Maybe you want to sound like [insert piano player here]. Everybody has the power to learn an instrument. Seriously, there’s no such thing as “talent.” Just start lessons and get practicing! It really is that simple, and I’ll guide you through every step of the way.

I have a diverse background teaching students of all ages, from 3-year-olds to retirees alike, customizing what we learn to the individual student. We’ll learn how to read music just as easily as you read words; improvise and compose music of our own; and feel good playing any style: classical, jazz, rock, and all. My experience as a working musician in films, musical theater, and pop music, as well as classical concert music, allows me to appreciate and teach styles that many other instructors overlook, and I know full well that learning an instrument is not about becoming a professional; it’s about being able to connect to others or oneself through music… and also to just have fun! There’s no need to learn music we don’t like! It’s not about stuffing Beethoven into your kids’ ears… we just want to make music, be that Beethoven or Billy Joel.

Music lasts a lifetime. I know that’s a terrible cliché, but it’s true, and few other skills can claim that. I don’t want to sugarcoat it: it takes time to learn an instrument. It takes practice, and sometimes it’s frustrating. But the results are well worth it, and like a snowball rolling down a hill, the longer you do it, the faster you get… or something like that. There’s a legitimate analogy in there somewhere.

Now get out there and make some music! But start by signing up for lessons. I can’t wait to get started!

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“What’s that chord?” “Why does all my music sound the same?” “How do I fix this voicing?” “I just can’t get it out of my head!” …sound familiar? You’ve probably hit a rut. Or maybe you’re just starting out. Either way, you want your music to sound new, exciting, and to come out exactly how you hear it in your head. Yes… you CAN learn to compose music, you CAN learn to be more creative, and you CAN learn to share your sound with the world.

Film music, classical, jazz… whatever your interest, all music comes from the same place, and by learning a handful of basic concepts, you can apply these to whatever style you’re trying to write. Learning to emulate another musician involves knowing what they’re doing. Learning to create a groundbreaking sound requires that you know what’s already been done, and how to achieve it. Step by step, we’ll work our way there.

We’ll learn how to write cool, interesting chord progressions, how to write beautiful melodies, and how to voice chords. We’ll learn how to control the mood of our music, from making it sound relaxed to adding tension wherever we want. Maybe you’re trying to write for an orchestra, or just a small band. By learning the basics, you can then easily break away from what’s been done and come up with something truly new… the goal of any aspiring composer!

een my salvation! Throughout my life it has been a best friend and constant source of joy, and I share this gift with others so that it might help them to find the same joy. After more than 10 years of teaching, I have so many new experiences to draw from and share with my students. I've spent the last 9 years performing with Disney in California and abroad in their Tokyo Disney cast, and I must say that those experiences, vast and varied as they are, have given the word "performance" a new depth. I'm always excited to dive into every lesson with fresh ideas that will mesh well with many tried and tested teaching techniques.

Originally from Los Angeles, I now reside in Orange County and I'm especially proud to have expanded my studio to serving clients all over the world with online lessons via Skype and FaceTime! I get such joy from sharing my experiences with a diverse group of people from many walks of life.
If you're interested in learning more about my lesson style, feel free to contact me and I'd be happy to talk with you about a plan to help you reach your goals!

For Students of Voice: Teaching Style

Over the past several years I have focused much of my personal growth on developing my ears' ability to pick out and pinpoint vocal “placement”, resonance, subtleties of timbre, changes in pitch, breath support, air speed and flow, pronunciation and diction, and in general, the way in which all of these work together to create style. From these assessments, I work with the student’s particular needs to address each area individually and based on the learning style of each person.
To illustrate to the student their method as I see and hear it, as well as ways in which they might make changes to facilitate the ease of singing --be they changes of tessitura (range), length of phrase, tone color, the release of unnecessary tension etc.-- I make use of vocalise (vocal exercises), simile and metaphor, examples from recorded performances, demonstration, self assessment, and techniques to “trick” the voice into acting in a different way, in addition to videos, diagrams, and texts on anatomy and physiology. I feel that all of these tools provide a unique and personalized learning experience for each student.

of your money back. I have 3 Grammy nominations but the proof of what i can do for you is in this video. Search this title on Youtube:
"Demo of My Sax Students Improvising Progress- 5th lesson to 16th lesson" or just click the video at the bottom of this page.

ir musical goals, whatever that might be. I look forward to meeting any clarinet player looking to improve their skills.