Oakland Language Lessons

with a variety of bands in my home state of New Mexico, as well as Japan, and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Since 2006 I have been an active teacher. This profession has taken me everywhere from working with classical guitar classes in New Mexico high schools to Elementary students in Japan to a variety of private students of various musical instruments and genres everywhere I've been. Since relocating to the Bay Area in 2010, I've had the pleasure of working with lots of great students from kids to adults with a wide range of ambitions. Since 2012 I've been running my own full time studio.

Philosophy of Learning

Lessons are generally designed to work towards giving students the tools to accomplish their goals and become increasingly independent over time. While all students will study similar fundamentals regarding technique, theory, and performance, every lesson is as different as every person. What kind of music do you want to make? I'll tell you what you need to do to get there, and help you take the steps to achieve your aspirations.

I also love to help students put together a song, record, and produce it for them so that they can have a recording to share with their friends and family.

I also hold events for my students. (Check out our pictures and videos below!)
Younger students have opportunities to perform for friends and family at my studio every few months. Once or twice a year we'll also stage a larger event off site for more individual students and bands classes to perform.
Adult students also occasionally have events where they get a chance to get together and play music as well.

Aside from in-studio lessons, students also have the option to sign up for online lessons via Skype.
(*Online lessons offered during different times than in-studio lessons.)

*Unfortunately due to scheduling issues, I'm not currently accepting students for bi-weekly lessons. I can do regular weekly lessons, or occasional drop-in lessons, but bi-weekly appointments make it really hard for me to give the best scheduled times to my existing weekly students. I'm sorry for the inconvenience.

My studio is equipped with:

*Music Stands

*A P.A. System

*Vocal and instrument microphones

*Guitars, Basses, Ukulele, Banjos, etc

*Two guitar amps and a bass amp

*Various percussion including a fully equipped acoustic drum set

*A Roland V-Drums electronic drum set

*An electric piano console and Yamaha organ

*A MicroKorg Synthesizer

*A Tuba, Trombone, Cornet, Saxophone, and Flute

*An extensive physical and virtual music library

*A recording system that students are not only welcome to use but encouraged to

*HD Webcam and condenser microphone for high fidelity online lessons via Skype

ity and tell me where you live prior to booking me!!!

*** Lesson Details ***
Tutoring sessions are 1 hour minimum to 2 hours maximum (depending on subject).

Basic sessions may consist of the following:
Review of current or past trouble spots
Homework help
Test prep and/or review
Extra practice exercises

Single and multiple subject sessions are possible depending on tutor assessment and availability.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Clients should bring any/all textbooks, class work, tests/quizzes, and teacher's note to all sessions.

Additional learning aids (games, worksheets, books) may be added to session if needed.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Clients should bring any/all textbooks, class work, tests/quizzes, and teacher's note to all sessions.

Additional learning aids (games, worksheets, books) may be added to session if needed.

*** Specialties ***
Math (Elementary to High School)
Writing (Creative and Essay)
Music (Voice - Basics)
Computers (Basic Literacy & Various Programs)
Other

n also help business students with business law courses.

Contact me, and I'll design a tutoring plan that best suits your needs!

If you select me as a tutor, please contact me before scheduling a specific lesson date and time, if possible. It's easier for both of us to confirm times in advance!

emi-Private 2 - 1 Lesson:
1 hour $68/hr for 2 students.
Each additional student $15/hr

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

glish (when necessary to meet a goal). There are standards to be met, and I do whatever I can to help my students meet or exceed them.

To help personalize students' experiences and ensure relevance of sessions:
1. Written and oral assessments are used to gauge strengths and weaknesses.
2. Periodic quizzes are administered; their regularity depends on how often students meet with me.
3. Exit exams are administered at the end of students' programs.

All I ask is that students are ready to:
1. Shift their priorities and invest adequate time and energy into getting the results they want.
2. Be on time.
3. Openly communicate their needs, pleasures, and nots.
4. Understand that while they may notice improvements as early as the first session, total success will take time, so sustained efforts will be required.

My 10+ years in the educational arena--and ongoing professional development--have taught me the importance of helping students shift from lower- to higher-order thinking, which is really only coaching students to go from knowing the "what" of a things to putting all those "whats" together to understand the "hows" and "whys".

I have a degree in English (with special emphasis on secondary education), and an ESL certification. Primarily, I teach English and language arts at the secondary and post-secondary levels (i.e., middle school, high school, college), but I have a knack for teaching math and algebra, so I offer lessons in those areas, as well. Prepping students for standardized tests--GRE, SAT, ACT, HSPT, CBEST, CSET: English--is a love a mine, too.

Whether for summer or winter enrichment, test prep, help with the naturalization exam, or just a general safety net, be sure to contact me, and we can determine how to work together to get the results desired by you or your child.

Peace and Best,
Kenisha

P.S., Be sure to bring all of who you are to your sessions. Creased, crumpled, crimped, or saggy: I don't care. Just be ready to do better.

**My Vision***
I seek students who share a love of learning. I am not looking for the finest musicians or highest IQ's, because those gifts are not required to learn and grow. My greatest experiences as a teacher have come from when I work with students who just want to learn more.

***My Requirements***
I hold my students to high expectations when it comes to practicing. Each week, I give students individual assignments that I know will improve their learning and playing abilities, and I expect those assignments to be fulfilled by the next lesson. A failure to do so will result in frustration for both myself and my student.

However, I know that nobody is perfect, and I myself have had my share of weeks where life happens, and I simply don't progress as much as I would like. As a teacher, I understand this perfectly, and I will always strive to listen to my students, and work with them through their difficulties or struggles.

***What To Expect From Lessons***
I bring a lot of energy to lessons! I am very passionate about teaching and helping students grow, and I make sure to bring that to every lesson. I give concise, direct feedback to students, making sure to give them the information they need to understand how they can achieve their goals and grow.

I am very perceptive of students' feelings, and I take care to be sensitive to their needs each week. My worst fear as a teacher is to cause hurt feelings, so I will do everything in my power to avoid that!

I am an expert in the field of music and the flute, so you can be rest assured that the quality of instruction will be the highest.

artist), Melissa Reyes (Who’s the Next Pussycat ) and Nikki Soohoo (Peter Jackson’s Lovely Bones).
Having studied linguistics at UCLA and with the best voice teachers in the country from the Berklee College of Music to the Cleveland Institute of Music, Marie has clear knowledge of the anatomy of the voice, the articulators, and the specificity in creating phonemes. Her undergraduate foundation in Engineering and a graduate degree in Business uniquely positions her to coach clients working in those fields.

be very beneficial to those looking to really excel further in the english language.

Art is my passion
Learning is my journey
Teaching is in my DNA