Murrieta Music Lessons

and recitals in New York City, London, Edinburgh, and various cities in Italy as well as locally here in California and Florida. Rebecca received her Bachelor in Music degree from the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. She is a student in the online Masters program for Music Education at the University of Florida, Gainesville. She has also studied at the Universita per Stranieri in Perugia, the International Lyric Academy of Rome, and the International Institute of Vocal Arts in Chiari, Italy. She is currently the Director of Music Ministries at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church in Carlsbad, California, and teaches voice and piano privately.

Rebecca is a regular performer with the San Diego Opera and is a former member of the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay. She is featured on their 1996 release Christmas with the Master Chorale. Other recordings include Mahler VIII - Symphony of 1000 in the chorus with the late Robert Shaw. Other conductors and coaches Rebecca has worked with include Sir David Willcocks, Julius Rudel, Stefano Vignati, Dr. Robert Summer, John Mario DI Costanzo, the late Cesare Rufini, Diego Moccia, Annetta Monroe,
*** Lesson Details ***
Lessons are tailored to the individual student's initial abilities. In all genres of music it is important to breathe well, have breath support, communicate the emotion and character of the song, and eliminate vocal bad habits. These issues are different for everyone.

I teach a classical Italian technique of breath support and beautiful tone, and these techniques can be applied to all musical styles.

The student will be assigned and choose songs to learn and work on as we incorporate the techniques into the songs and vocal exercises.

Piano lessons and Italian lessons are also available from ages 5 and up.

*** Studio Equipment ***
CD player, 7' Boston grand piano, digital recorder

*** Travel Equipment ***
Yamaha keyboard.

*** Specialties ***
Voice, classical, pop, Broadway, opera, Italian, piano, music theory,
audition preparation. I specialize in opera but sing many styles, including pop, classical, and musical theatre; I teach all styles in piano.

sition, or the latest Adele song.

I returned to Southern California at the end of 2011 and am currently building my student clientele in San Diego.

To get an idea of what I do please click on the VIDEO tab above to see my students and me performing in NYC!

*** Lesson Details ***
I HAVE 2 PRIMARY GOALS FOR BEGINNER LESSONS:
#1. Provide a strong musical foundation
#2. Keep students interested in playing

I use specific techniques to achieve these goals. I structure a plan that outlines the fundamentals of music theory while teaching pieces that the student loves. I have an ENORMOUS supply of music books (which cost a fortune to ship to San Diego!) and let the student choose from a wide variety of music pieces to supplement their method book studies (I use Bastien.)
For children, parents are encouraged to stay for lessons, but if they can't I write down the "practice prescription" for the week so both student and parent know what should be worked on!

FOR INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED PLAYERS:
There are SO MANY THINGS you might be interested in working on such as ….

1. Learning pieces as quickly/efficiently as possible
2. Creating proper practice habits so you’re not spending wasteful time at the piano.
3. Learning effective techniques for memorization.
4. Improving your “Feel”
5. Improving your technique so you can play effortlessly fast!!
6. Interpretation of pieces from the different classical periods
7. Improving understanding of Music Theory
8. Song writing!! Yes, you can do it yourself!!
9. Performance (Yes, this is a skill, separate from learning the song is learning to perform it!)

I’ve got specific techniques for all of the above, and more. I don’t say “Just do it this way.” I have bona fide tried and true techniques you can use. They even have names such as “Pulse Play,” “Shadow Play” “Visualization” “Mental Play” “Spot Work” “Wrist Rotate” etc.

I shouldn’t give away all my goodies here! Come take a lesson to see what I’m talking about!

And as much as I know, I am very easy to get along with and have a great sense of humor. I will keep you on your toes, inspire you, and probably make you laugh while I’m at it

*** Studio Equipment ***
The studio lessons are taught in my living room with a 5' Yamaha grand piano. The atmosphere is clean, comfortable and professional, and I have no pets. Parents are encouraged to stay for lessons!

*** Specialties ***
My number one goal is to keep students interested in piano, and I have an enormous repertory of music for them to choose from which helps succeed in that goal. I would prefer they all at least begin playing classically, but it just sometimes doesn't turn out that way. If they start lessons very young I use the Bastien Books but almost immediately I am supplementing their repertory with auxiliary pieces. No matter what age, I start them in an appropriate method book (love Bastien) but pull from a large surplus of auxiliary books and sheet music to supplement the method book. I play songs at their level and let them choose which ones they like best as we go along. I NEVER force a student to play a certain piece. NEVER. They can build a rock solid music foundation choosing pieces they love. Ideally they are playing some classical standards accompanied by some popular pieces. I incorporate theory, from a key based perspective. Songs, scales, primary chords, ear training all in the same key. Then we move to a new key. I have charts that I have created to accompany their repertory.

tudent at his/her skill level and age. I discuss the various books with the parent and together we make a decision on the books used to help the child learn in his/her best way. Having taught several string instruments during the past 15 years...I understand the importance of passing on musical knowledge to brave adult beginners and to children and their parents who are starting out on a musical journey. . Music lessons can be a wonderful "corner stone" to help build confidence, creativity and explore new beginnings in learning a musical instrument. Music lessons also boost reading, math and critical thinking skills. Lesson are but a series of building blocks that bring joy and confidence to the young and old. Believe in music for life! Come take lessons and we will explore a musical journey together on the violin or fiddle.
In the past 10 years, I have taught violin and fiddle privately at my home studio and at various music camps, festivals, violin workshops and classrooms around the US. I continue to take private, classical violin lessons and go to music education seminars and workshops. In addition, for the past 20 years, I've attend music camps and week long workshops around the US. These camps, workshops and festivals focus on the various violin both for adults and children and for fiddle, traditions such as Old-Time (Southern) Appalachian, Scandinavian, Scottish and Bluegrass. Several of the workshops I go to yearly focus on classical violin playing and teaching for both adults and children. I play in a community string orchestra on a weekly basis for the past 8 years with a classical repertoire. I also continue to take private fiddle lesson with a classically trained violinist who is a professional fiddler. I'm continually learning so that I can pass information on to my students. Come "fiddle" with me and learn this exciting instrument.
I am now retired from nursing having spent 30 years in the nursing education field.
I would enjoy working with you or your child to help you or the child discover the joys of music making tailored to your goals on the violin or the fiddle. Besides teaching, I'm involved with my husbands business, Bobs Violins and Bows. We restore, setup, rent and make violins. We also repair and re-hair bows and sell new and vintage restored bows. Our shop helps students as well as professional players. If you decide on lessons, please get in touch with us BEFORE you rent or purchase an instrument for the student .For children we have smaller size instruments. My husband is a professional luthier and sets up all instruments so you will be learning and playing on a good student violin. We recommend renting an instrument instead of purchasing one to make sure the student wants to continue to play and learn. For children: Violins come in fractional sizes and the child needs to be measured correctly to ensure a proper size. If an instrument is too big, this can lead to discouragement with not being able to play. If you sign up for lessons with me, contact us first before you purchase an instrument so that we can measure the student for the proper size. Learning to play on an instrument that is professionally setup and of the correct size will help the new student progress and they will have an enjoyable experience. Playing on a violin that is too big for a child can lead to injury or frustration for the student and parent.

*** Lesson Details ***
My violin/fiddle lessons start out with the basics for beginners. For a beginning student, the basic approach to good technique for the instrument is essential in developing tension-free playing. To give you an idea of the basics: how the violin and bow are held, good posture, producing great tone with your instrument, learning basic music theory (major and minor scales, arpeggios and note values), sight-reading music, aural training (learning by ear), rhythm, learning how to tune the instrument and instrument care. I always teach the violin parts, some history of the instrument and how to care for your instrument and put it away after each practice. I also teach the student how to practice and we go over a hand written practice sheet at the end of each lesson so they have a lesson plan from which to work on at home. If the student is a child, I review this lesson plan with the parent and encourage them to be active with the student during the week of practice.
What are lessons like for a student? I use a simultaneous approach to violin technique, in that everything connects. I teach through the very basics of building skills using a variety of warm-ups, exercises, etudes and pieces (tunes) from violin or fiddle books that are age and skill level appropriate. Together the student and I use hands on learning; listening to tunes/pieces by my playing the tune for them and by using music CD's. I teach sight reading and playing music from notation with skill building work books to read music and basic theory. I have the student play along with me on simple exercises. This incorporates a sense of fun and meaning for the student. I also incorporate ear-training (aural skills) in teaching children and adults, this builds confidence and joy in listening which builds musicianship. . I use a call and response method to help establish skill building in all areas of playing from tone production to intonation (playing a note to correct pitch) to learning tunes and pieces and to establishing rhythms and beginning improvisation. Call and response is: teacher plays and student plays it back. This is a fun way to learn for adults and children. This is creative teaching and learning methods where progress is made by the fact there is no right or wrong way...just individual progress that builds confidence. I'm a flexible and caring teacher in helping develop musicianship skills. I'm a very firm believer in practice and teach the student (parents of children) how to practice effectively. A written practice sheet is sent home. Progress can be accomplished with only 15-30 minutes of focused practice a day. I believe that the teacher is an essential force in developing good practice habits with a student so they can grow individually and really enjoy both learn and making music.

*** Studio Equipment ***
I have a large, sun filled room in my home that is my studio. It is a smoke -free home. I have a music stand, good lighting, chairs, a tuner, metronome, a digital recorder, and several shoulder rests and chin rests to try out for individual comfort and play ability. In addition I have a music library of violin and fiddle books, CD's, videos and student articles of interest that I can share with my students. I also have properly set up violins of all sizes for rental for adults and children. Children need special sizes of violins to learn and play on so they will not become injured playing on an instrument that is too big for them. Buying instruments on Ebay or the net can be a disaster as they tend to not be setup correctly for playing and can also be of poor workmanship and materials. It's best to talk to a trained luthier or someone with knowledge before you buy an instrument. Beware of the VSO's....Violin shaped objects. Come fiddle with me. Stay tuned. Diane

*** Travel Equipment ***
I like my students to have a three ring notebook with folders inside and about 8 protective clear sheets so I can write down their assignment, notes and the handouts can be saved for reference. I give out lots of handouts and charts to help[ the student so they don't have to buy lots of different books. They in turn can write down questions for me for the next lesson. A good music stand at home is important so having a stand and a space for music is important for the progress of the student.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in teaching children ages 5 and up. I also love teaching adults. I prefer to use several method (tutor) books depending on the student, their skill level and their age. I use several different music theory workbooks as well, again appropriate for adults, youth or a young child.
I teach classical violin technique for beginners for a solid foundation in violin playing and branch out into fiddle tunes and styles if the student is interested in learning fiddling. Having a good background in violin technique and basic music theory prepares the student for any genres they wish to learn. This also educates them to the proper mechanics of tension-free and pain free playing that is very important for a beginning student. and for success and progress.
Come learn violin with me and have fun while progressing.

excellent communication skills, patience and enthusiasm, and work well with children and all ages. I feel that music is an important part of education, and it aids in the development of cognitive and motor skills. And most of all, it is fun and rewarding, and a skill to last a lifetime!

and writing music. I was also an exemplary Product Specialist for Guitar Center for nearly 5 years while I completed school.