Oak Park Health & Wellness Lessons

usician.

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.

*** 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.

I receive a very large number of student requests everyday, So to keep things organized please keep the following in mind:

Takelessons is a wonderful service that I use to handle all my payments and scheduling. I want to focus on the teaching, so they help with the rest.

I have a 24 hour cancelation policy, please give me at least 24 hour advanced notice, or you will forfeit your lesson credit.

All scheduling changes or time off can be requested right from the website for your connivence. it's super easy!

Use an email that you will actually check to sign up for notifications, it's not spam, it's to help us all stay organized.

Remember to please reserve your spot by paying in advance. (I have a waiting list of people asking me for those super convenient days, and times)

Online students please make sure you have the 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.

hidden artistic desires. I am currently writing a musical which will be debuting in 2020. I'm currently the vocal coach/Trainer and choir director at Iglesia Elim Central.

I will make sure my students have fun and help them get in the right track to their musical goals.

Also, I constantly upload videos on Singing, The Spanish Language, and Japanese! So keep Checking in! It ranges on tips and answering the most common questions on those particular subjects!

Also There are discounted rates for worship teams and church choirs. For more information please contact me through the "Ask a Question feature"

*** Lesson Details ***
I do my absolute best to create a positive atmosphere for my students. Even when the students feel frustrated or stressed, it is important to inspire them and give them the fuel that they need. Though I am strict when it comes to homework and their about their studies. Every lesson at the beginning I will review what we learned previously and test them.
then begin with proper breathing technique exercises, the cornerstone of all vocals. We move on to vocal exercises to condition the voice. Then we work on the songs that you are eager to sing!

I will use a piano when doing vocal warm ups and conditioning exercises. Students that play other instruments and accompany themselves when performing (such as a guitar) are encouraged to bring that instrument to their lessons. My goal is for them to gain the knowledge that they need to help reach their artistic goals.
With all my lessons every student will be taught a basic run down of Music Theory. My students will always progress in what they do. They will have the discipline that they need and yet have fun and be filled with inspiration. Which is the most important thing, to be Inspired to do better.

*** Studio Equipment ***
iMac, condensing mic...performing mic, keyboard, mixer...living room of apartment.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I do have a portable keyboard. Though I do expect the student to have their own recording device and karaoke tracks. At Home I do have a studio, and if the students has an iPod or an Mp3 player I can attach it to a device where all of us can hear the tracks. I do have a recording studio as well.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in Musical Theatre, and Pop rock genres. When I teach my students I always have them learn a song of another language whether it's Spanish or Japanese. It helps with diction when they learn a song outside the English Language. Also It helps them to learn another Language at the same time. Also I give them a little anatomy class when they are learning how to sing. I give them a model of the vocal Chords and different areas of the Larynx and which part works for the chest voice and the head voice.

Special packages now Available (Not Available Online for purchase! Please call Takelessons for booking)

If you can Speak you can Sing- Always wanted to learn how to sing and learn a new language? In this package we will do both! With 4 singing lessons (30 minutes each for kids 60 minute each for adults) to learn the proper technique to improve the voice and 4-languages lessons (English, Spanish or Japanese, 30 minutes each for kids 60 minute each for adults) ) to learn the grammar structure and get you conversing with a native speaker! Plus you will learn how to sing a song in the language you chose! This will be 2 classes a week or 2 classes every other week. This means one singing lesson a week and one language lesson a week. If you have kids this is perfect for the summer!

$225 for 30 minute lessons.
$300 for 60 minute lessons.

Let's Sing Anime! Do you love singing to those openings and Ending theme songs when watching your favorite Anime? I do! What can I say I'm an Anime Nerd. With this package you'll get 4 Singing lessons (30 minutes each for kids 60 minute each for adults) and 4- hour Japanese lessons (30 minutes each for kids 60 minute each for adults) ! Let's learn how to sing those songs right and know what they mean without reading those subtitles!

$225 for 30 minute lessons.
$300 for 60 minute lessons.

If you will like more information Click "Ask a Question" and all questions will go directly to me!

cheerful . I am willing to teach and work with anyone.

*** In Studio or Online ***
Of course it is more enjoyable if you can have lessons in person. But with modern technology, live online lessons come in a close second. I've been teaching for 40 years and I've been doing online lessons for about 7 years. I'm located in West Hills, which is a suburb of Los Angeles. If you are not local, using skype with a webcam works out surprisingly well. I have students in Sydney, London, Hong Kong and many cities throughout the US.

*** Use a Piano or a Keyboard for Practicing ***
I am not fussy if you use a keyboard but it needs to be a "weighted action" keyboard, so that it feels similar to a real piano. Ideally, you should also have a pedal and a stand if you are using an electronic keyboard.

*** Unconventional Approach ***
Each student is taught with a customized approach. You get to tell me what areas you want to focus on. Sometimes there may be a block or something that is a weakness that you need to bolster. Sometimes it is a narrow niche within music that you want to give your attention to. One way that I'm unconventional is that I actually have found that it is NOT better if you practice every day. I recommend that you build in about three days of rest per week. Just like people who work out at the gym learn that the off days are when the muscles regenerate, the same is true for your brain. This allows your subconscious mind to do its job and your progress will actually be faster, not slower. Another example of my unique approach is how I treat beginners. Even though you may not yet read music very well or at all, it doesn't mean that you can't start working concurrently on a more advanced piece. This is because READING notation is a comparatively slow process, but why should we restrict your ability to play something that you love to your rate of reading music? Usually, our FINGER TECHNIQUE develops much faster than our READING so I'm happy to guide you on one or two more difficult pieces and help spoon-feed it to you, bit by bit, "by rote."

*** Areas of Focus ***
-Finger Technique. How to play fast with ultimate control.
-Sight-Reading How to Read Music at Sight
-Rhythm Training
-Music Theory
-Interpretation
-Injury-Retraining
-Relaxation, Removing Unnecessary Tension
-Pain-Reduction
-Practice-Optimization - How to learn more in less time. -How to memorize music.
-Biomechanical Efficiency - Maximum power with minimum effort.
-Time-Management
-Improvisation and creativity development techniques
-Composition & Songwriting.
-How to create melodies for your poems and lyrics.
-How to put chords on your melodies.
-How to create “song sheets,” lead sheets and how to write music down on paper.
-How to notate your song so others can play it, without knowing how to read music!
-Chord-Reading and How to Play Lead Sheets & Fake Book
-Musical Styles and Piano Arrangements (Pop, Country, Gospel, Blues, R&B, Rock, Reggae, Hip Hop, Worship, Church, Hymns, Techno, 50s, Jazz, New Age, Folk, Broadway, Pop Ballade, etc.)
-Ear-Training (How to Play by Ear, Playing by Ear)
-Singers’ Tools
-Pitch Control Training
-Self-Accompanying
-How to Sing Harmony
-Sight-Singing (How to Hear the Notes in Your Mind)
-Self-Accompanying techniques in every style - Learn how to accompany yourself or learn how to accompany singers. (see “Musical Styles” above.)
-Audition Preparation - I will record the melody of the song for you so you can learn it.
-How to put melody to lyrics
-College Preparation
-Performance Anxiety, Stage Fright, Fear
-Releasing Emotional Obstacles to Playing Emotional Blocks, Healing Piano Trauma and Previous Performance Disasters, Piano Therapy
-Learning Disabilities including ADD, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, Dyscalculea, Sensory Integration Disorder
-Motiviation Issues - Solving your procrastination and avoidance of your musical growth issues.
-How to Look Like You’ve Played Piano for Years (for Actors, Singers and Celebrities Who Have A Role Deadline and Need a Crash Course.)

*** Celebrity Piano Teacher ***
Over the years, I've taught many pro musicians and celebrities. These include: Vonda Shepard, David E. Kelley, Dick Gautier, Michelle Pfeiffer, Pray Harper, Peter Horton, Michael Goodrich, Brianna Haynes, Starr Parodi, Briana Evigan, Stuart Ross, Roger Burnley, Chris Hardin, Stu Simone and Ben Bram.

*** Howard's Teachers Go Back To Beethoven ***
I feel grateful that my own training included top teachers of both the “German School” and “Russian School” of piano technique. Generally, the German School teaches how to play with close-to-the-key hand placement preparation and fingering efficiency, and is known for great speed and accuracy. The Russian School teaches how to play with gravity and relaxation and is known for beautiful tone production. Each approach has its strengths and weaknesses. In my own playing and teaching, I have incorporated the good aspects of each and have discarded the bad. The result is a blueprint for biomechanical efficiency and beautiful sound, making it the best of both worlds. Please see the photo of the "piano lineage chart."

and includes custom lesson plans, a hands-on learning experience, guaranteed growth/improvement, and travel.

nd the world for over a decade, and I enjoy sharing my knowledge with those who want to learn, get some good exercise, and have a great time!

I am a versatile teacher with experience in many areas of dance, fitness, theater, character, circus, and more. I've taught all ages and levels, so anyone is welcome -especially beginners!

I am a former member of Unity LA, under the direction of Dancing with the Stars Emmy Winner, Tessandra Chavez, as well as the non-profit dance company, MusEffect- dedicated to raising awareness of social issues through performance. I have collaborated with distinguished circus troupes such as The Lucent Dossier Experience, Zen Arts, Cirque Berzerk, and others, with whom I continue to perform internationally.

I have done music videos for Cody Simpson, Bassnectar, Claude VonStroke and Bruno Furlan, Beats Antique, Lafa Taylor, Nash Overstreet, Japanese icon Namie Amuro, Ray Quinn from Britain’s Idol, and more. I have appeared on Parks and Recreation, The Disney Channel's So Random, Bring It On: Fight to the Finish, Fox Atomic’s The Comebacks, TruTV's Fake Off, and The Dance Network's Steady Mobbin’, and commercials for Tresemme, eHarmony, El Jimador, and HTV Network, amongst others.

I have also worked on Michelle Obama's “Let’s Move Burbank” Campaign, The Giffoni Film Festival, The Probowl, The Orange County Film Festival, KROQ Radio, Coachella Music Festival, The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, The American Cancer Society, Bettis Richardson on his international tour, and popular rock band Lifehouse.

I am outgoing, friendly, and fun, but most importantly-I love what I do! I enjoy sharing my passion and knowledge with my students, and focus on inspiring creativity, encouraging self-confidence, and cultivating personal achievement in everyone I work with!

I teach online via TakeLessons Classroom, at my primary studio, and at a larger studio (for Tap and group lessons) *addt'l. rental fee req'd-please inquire for more info. I am also available for group lessons or semi-privates (more than 1 person)! *Please inquire for more info.