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e highest connection speed available to you. This will ensure you get the most out of the lessons.

*** Equipment ***

Please make sure you have your own instrument, and a note book or device to take notes with.

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My passion is sharing music with people.

I am musician and a visual artist who earned a Masters certification in Songwriting and Guitar from Berklee College of Music.
As an artist I have been featured on MTV, Rollingstone, BBC, NBC, VOA, ARY, Alt Press, LA times, documentaries and more. I have been playing guitar and recording music since childhood and am a classically trained sitar player and Indian classical vocalist.

I am a great teacher for someone who wants to write songs, or is into Indie, rock, pop, reggae, metal, hip-hop, and electronica.

I love to answer questions and learn things I don't know, I know a good amount about guitar repair, improvised instrument building, how to buy a good instrument and not spend to much, and I have a vast knowledge of obscure instruments, and audio production as well. Feel free to ask me questions, and expect informative non-judgmental answers.

I have spent a lot of time developing as a vocalist, songwriter, composer and producer, which helps me in all aspects of my music and teaching, I'm always looking to learn more. I have played in heavy metal bands, but have also done solo acoustic singer/songwriting stuff, I have produced raw hip-hop but also love old soul and ska tunes. Being well rounded musically and drawing from lots of influences is what makes me a good teacher and shapes me as a musician.

*** Lesson Details/ What to Expect ***

You can expect a custom, fun and attentive one on one lesson. I am thorough and patient. I expect you to love music and put forth effort. I'm laid back, I will work as fast or as slow as you need. I prefer a total immersion technique and get my students playing right away. This boosts confidence and fosters interest because once a student enjoys playing you don't have to convince them to practice.

By the first lesson you will be familiar with the instrument and it's parts, and playing your first chord.

In 3-6 months you will be playing guitar with a greater knowledge of chords, basic harmony and be able to play scales and songs.

Once you have a foundation of chords we can explore more specific music subjects and lessons will become more personalized: songwriting, guitar tones, musicology, making a DIY record, shredding like a metalhead, I can guide you to help you achieve your goals.

*** Studio Equipment ***

Studying in my live/studio space located in Artist Lofts near Brookland metro in NE DC. It has a high ceilings and full stage back line including keyboards, drum set, live sound system multiple amps and more. There is seating for parents and recording capabilities.

ty world premiers and re-imagined classics. Most notably she played the lead role of Keely Smith in the big band jazz musical “Louis and Keely: Live At The Sahara” during its eight-month run at Westwood’s Geffen Playhouse. She also formed her own rock band, The Honeysuckle Jones Revival, with whom she performed her own songs all over Los Angeles. And she began working as a studio session vocalist, providing demo vocals for other songwriters, as well as arranging and performing back-up vocals for original artists, including Laura Roppe (currently in the Top Ten on Billboard’s Uncharted list of emerging artists.) Crystal played the lead role of Brooke in the new operatic rock musical “The Burning Opera LA” during its Los Angeles run in 2011 as well as providing ensemble vocals and playing piano and bass. She also performs holiday tunes from the Golden Age of American songwriting with musical quartet The Sleigh Belles.

Crystal believes that music is serious business but that it should be fun. She encourages her students to play music they love, as well as expanding their musical knowledge. She is a firm believer in basics first and emphasizes theory and technique as the tools to support creativity and provide freedom, power and control. She believes effort beats talent every time and the student who practices consistently will see results, whatever their level of ability. Most of all, she believes we were all born to make music.

*** Lesson Details ***
Lesson structure varies depending on the student's instrument, age, level of experience and musical style. However, all lessons focus on:

Technique
Music theory
Performance style

After 3 or 6 months of consistent lesson attendance and practice, students will have a clear understanding of how their instrument works and how to care for it. They will be able to read basic music notation. They will be working toward clearly defined musical goals and they will have at least three performance pieces learned.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Loft Space: full size electric piano with weighted keys, small digital recorder, microphone, Garage Band, parents can sit in on lessons

*** Travel Equipment ***
I bring a small keyboard for vocal students with no piano, karaoke tracks and a digital recorder. I also bring a selection of games. Students are expected to purchase all necessary books and sheet music.

*** Specialties ***
Young beginners (piano)

and children do not learn well in traditional institutions. Many students and children don't respond to the assembly line nature of most institutions. He believes that a student's or child's strengths and natural abilities need to be the foundation of learning. Dr. Cliff often warns against a "cookie cutter" approach to educating students, teenagers and children. You or your child is seen as an individual, and natural strengths are identified and built upon. Therefore, individual one-on-one tutoring or help is the key approach to each student who has any challenges difficulties in a given subject.

In today’s environment and economic challenges, with shorter budgets for the education, larger classes sizes and pressure of performing well in all kind of standard tests, I often see many students lacking true knowledge and skills in a given subject, since they cannot get individualized attention during the class session. That’s where a tutor comes into the picture, not only uncover major “holes” in students’ knowledge set but also teach students how to study, how to learn and through proper guidance “fill” those knowledge and skills holes.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Not applicable (none).

*** Travel Equipment ***
Not applicable (none).

*** Specialties ***
ACADEMIA
California Southern University: Member of the Faculty Senate, Member of the Curriculum Committee, Member of the Personnel Committee, Member of the IT Committee, Core/Lead Faculty, Business & Management.
Northern University: Commencement Speaker, MBA/DBA programs, 2008-2013, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau.
California Institute of Advanced Management: Guest Lectured and Honored Speaker, MBA programs, May, 2012, El Monte, CA.
Pacific State University: Commencement Speaker, MBA/DBA programs, 2007-2012, China and Singapore.
California American University: Commencement Speaker; 2004-2009, China.
California Southern University: Commencement Speaker, Graduation Ceremony, 2011, Irvine, CA.
Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) - International Institute of Business Analysis, 2013.
DETC Evaluator – The Distance Education and Training Council, 2012.
ACICS Evaluator – The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Scools, 2012.
BPPVE Auditor – California’s Bureau for Private, Postsecondary and Vocational Education, 2000.
Senior Global Partner – The Academy of Business Strategy; 2012.
California Commission on Teacher Credentialing: CSET Math (I, II, III), Business (I, II, III), Preliminary Education Technology (I, II), 2010-2012.
Certified Site Reviewer/Auditor, Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education, California, 2002.
Certified Professional Tutor, American Tutoring Association and National Tutoring Association, 2011.
Educate, Inc.: Sylvan University – Certificate of Mathematics Content Proficiency for Directors of Education; May, 2010
Tier I California Preliminary Administrative Credentials, 2006.
University of Southern California, Graduate level courses (master’s) in Systems Engineering/Management, 2005-2006.
Certified School Director, Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education, California, 2004.
California Community College Lifetime Teaching Credential, 1993.

INDUSTRY
HIMS (Healthcare Information & Management Systems), CPHIM (Certified Professional Healthcare Information Management); 2013.
Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) - International Institute of Business Analysis, 2013.
Security Innovation, Certificate in Enterprise IS/IT Security – part of the CISSP prep; 2012.
L. A. County: Certified HIPAA Professional (CHP) training; 2012.
Senior Global Partner – The Academy of Business Strategy; 2012.
Harvard Business School, Certificates in: Leadership & Management, Creativity and Innovation, Global Business and Technology, Business Acumen, Communications, Marketing, Strategy, Technology, Leading Change; 2010.
Master’s Certificate in Project Management, George Washington University/ESI, 2009.
Disney University, Training and Certificate in ITIL Service Management; 2009.
ESI Int’l Executive Education in: Contract Management, Business Analysis, Information Systems Security, Business Intelligence, IT Service Management/ITIL, ROI Methodology, Intercultural Management, Internet/Digital Marketing, Sales Force Management, Supply Chain Management, Leadership, Negotiations, Business Process Management, Business Sustainability, Enabling Technology.
George Washington University Master’s Certificate in Project Management, through ESI classes, 9/2009.
CMU/SEI, S/W Architecture Professional Certificate, 2006.
Delivered College/Corporate Training: Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA), Systems Engineer (MCSE), Professional/Application Developer (MCPD/MCAD), Solution Developer (MCSD), IT Professional (MCITP); 2004-2007.
S/W Architecture Professional Certificate, CMU/SEI, 2006.
Member Board of Directors, National Management Association, 2005.
Scrum Alliance: CSM, CSP and CST, 2010.
Project Management Institute - PMP certification., 2010.
Malcolm Baldrige and Balanced Scorecard training; Software Cost Estimation training; Developing Software
Architectures for Multi-platform and Network Centric Environments/Operations training, 2005.
Six Sigma Black Belt Certification, JPL, 1996-2002.
Certified Information Systems Auditor, Information Systems Auditing Association, 2000.
Certified Project Manager, American/National Management Association, 1999.
Certificate in Supervisory and Management Skills, National Management Association, 1991. Extensive PMP teaching.
Certified Quality Analyst, Quality Assurance Institute, 1990.
Certified Computer Programmer, Institute for Certification of Computer Professionals, 1989.

gnments and in-depth critiques to make you the best wordsmith you can be.

jects and Market Research
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