Palm Springs, CA Piano Lessons

ve as these things are important regardless of your favorite music.

*** Lesson Details ***
Lessons are held with a fun and relaxed attitude. Learning music should always be enjoyable and a good attitude and love for music is cultured and encouraged.

Lessons are structured just like a practice session should be. We will begin with a warm-up exercise designed to acquaint you with the proper technique to meet your personal musical goals. the next activities are highly personalized, but is usually something like reading music or a music theory game. These activities are things that are good for you but may not be your favorite part of learning music. They will, however, go a long way toward your better understanding of how your favorite music is structured.

Examples could be learning about 12 bar blues, common strum patterns (for guitar), scales, sight-reading, or music analysis.

We will spend the rest of class learning and practicing an activity of your choice. This is usually a song but can be anything you wish to improve upon. this is usually a long-term goal of yours. *I've always wanted to learn......*

By structuring our lessons the same as how you will practice, and by keeping good notes, it will be easy for you to take on practice at home and achieve all of your musical goals!

*** Travel Equipment ***
Students should have their own guitar/piano/keyboard etc. Guitar/violin students should also have a music stand and tuner to keep at home. I will bring picks, spare tuner, music, and handouts.

*** Specialties ***
I primarily specialize in classical piano in styles such as Muzio Clementi and Frederic Chopin. I also play Bach and various Spanish classical guitar pieces. I have also extensively studied electric guitar in Blues such ZZ Top, Metal such as Metallica, and rock such as Led Zeppelin. I have also studied Irish and Celtic folk music for instruments such as Mandolin and Violin.

rsity of Redlands in 2011, and my Associate of Arts degree in 2008 from College of the Desert. I teach online, locally, and at my studio, and cover a variety of subjects such as voice, music, theater, piano, math, english, music theory, just to name a few.

For academic tutoring (i.e. math, theory, vocabulary) I work on helping the student understand their homework and help prepare them for tests. I can also provide worksheets if necessary and am prepared to demonstrate problem areas in different ways if needed, because everyone learns differently. For voice, piano, music, and acting lessons I teach the student based on what their current level is. If you have no experience, that's okay! My lessons are uniquely designed to fit your needs no matter what level you may be.

As a music major I developed a deeper understanding of music theory, piano, voice, and theater. I received my A.A. in Music at College of the Desert and my Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Redlands- which I attended on a music scholarship. I have played leading roles in several operas and musicals in Southern California, including Gianni Schicchi, Die Fledermaus, La Boheme (DTL nominee), The Impresario, The Grand Duke, Patience (DTL award), Cosi fan tutte, Little Women, Seussical, and many more. I have also appeared in several concerts, opera scenes, competitions (winning music scholarships and theater awards), and worked as a singer in churches, restaurants, and in pop bands. I continue to stay active in the performance industry, because performing is a part of who I am and I could never live without it!

With this experience under my belt, I feel a desire to pass on my knowledge to students. I carry a strong passion to help people develop their abilities and make them their own. I truly believe that if someone wants something out of life they will achieve it with dedication, perseverance, confidence, and by having fun doing it!

*Note: My home office has a lot of stairs and two cats. If you are disabled or have a feline allergy, please consider in-home lessons or lessons online.

entary schools throughout San Diego. I also had the wonderful experience of being the pianist and vocal soloist at my church. I am a substitute teacher and have the opportunity to work with students from preschool to high school and am able to use my knowledge of each age group and school curriculum in teaching music.

"Great works are performed not by strength, but by perseverance" - Samuel Johnson

*** Lesson Details ***
Lessons are tailored to each individual student'€™s needs. I think everyone is special and has their own unique way of learning and customized lessons should reflect that. I believe that music theory is important and I include that in lessons. For piano lessons I mainly use Alfred'€™s piano books. In each lesson I will demonstrate the necessary skills in order for the students to feel comfortable in taking the music home to practice. For voice lessons I include vocalizations, vocal technique, and song study.

I want students to have fun with music. I am very patient and I think it'€™s important to encourage and praise students. I hope to instill the desire to learn in each student.

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." - Eleanor Roosevelt

*** Studio Equipment ***
Lessons in the living room, full size keyboard for piano lessons

*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide a portable keyboard.

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)

Florence Henderson, I have played as an honorary guest at UCLA, the Colburn School, UC Santa Cruz, for the Japanese Ambassador and Embassy, and appeared as guest artist with the Anderson String Quartet, Barry Manilow, and most recently with Il Divo, as well as made several television appearances. My extensive performing experience means that no matter your skill level, as my student I will have you performing, sharing your music with others, and becoming an artist.

I have been the recipient of numerous awards for both my musical and academic performance, including the Valeria Finzi Memorial Harp Competition two years consecutively, the Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral Fellowship, and have been named as a Medici Scholar and on the Who's Who Among American Women and National Dean's List. I am also active as a composer, arranger, and transcriber, and have taught for the past 16 years. Teaching has always been a special joy of mine, and I have experience teaching students of every age and skill level. I believe in an individualized approach for each student and love to inspire students with my own love of music and lifelong learning. I have worked as a teaching artist with the McCallum Theatre Institute (with elementary-age children) and an instructor for the Osher Institute (age 55+). With a solid background in Classical masterworks, my technical skill and artistic vision allows for interpretations of a variety of music spanning Celtic, Latin, pop, jazz, and rock genres. I teach piano, harp, music theory and musicianship at Mt. San Jacinto College, music history at College of the Desert and provide private instruction from my studio in Palm Springs.

*** Lesson Details ***
What do you want to learn? If you are passionate about music and interested in improving your skills I will mentor you to help you achieve your personal goals. I will personalize our curriculum depending on your experience level, needs, and desires. I believe in a well-rounded approach so we'll focus not only on leaning the notes, but the inflections and expressions of music, performance techniques, technical dexterity, music theory, and music history. In this way not only can you be a skilled performer, but an informed one as well, no matter what your age. My students are my highest priority- I love working with children, introducing them to music for the first time, as well as with the adult student who "always wanted to take lessons" but hasn't been able to yet. Furthering the talents of experienced musicians is also a pleasure. I will be honored to help you in your musical journey!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Studio: quarter grand piano, pedal harp, Celtic harp, electroacoustic harp. There is an adjacent seating area so parents are always welcome to sit in on lessons.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Under special circumstances I am happy to travel to students who have their instrument and related equipment.

*** Specialties ***
I teach both Classical and popular styles and can specialize according to my students' needs/interests.

id you know that a troubled child can find rest and recovery from getting involved in the arts, especially that of the piano? Did you know that as a remedy from feeling despair and hopelessness, the piano is a proven healer? Wouldn't you like to play a song to a friend or a neighbor and make them feel better today? TAKE PIANO LESSONS!!... YOU ARE ON YOUR WAY...

*** Studio Equipment ***
Living Room: 3 pianos (upright piano and 2 digital 88 keys weighted). Microphones, amps. Music stands, additional seating for parents.

*** Travel Equipment ***
A piano, or at least a 40-key keyboard instrument that has depth of sound. A good quality instrument, because if not, they will lose interest.

I have a Roland-88 key traveling digital piano instrument. This can go wherever I go. I also own a Technics Digital piano that has all sound capabilities and recording features. I also own an Howard or Baldwin Upright piano, which plays beautifully for those getting to know a true piano sound and control of its pedal.

*** Specialties ***
contemporary gospel, jazz, show tunes, semi-classical

mediate pianist. Laura and her husband, Trent own and operate a Recording Studio & Writing Room in Santa Monica, CA.

n a Silver Medal with Distinction in the Young Classical Virtuosos of Tomorrow International Piano Competition, presented by the Nelly Berman School Classical Music Institute. Recently, he was the winner of the Michael Morochko Piano Scholarship Competition.
James served as President of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Collegiate Chapter at West Chester University, where he remains an active member, and is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda, an American music honor society, where he was awarded with the "Outstanding Junior Award."
This summer, he will compete in the 2017 New Orleans Piano Institute Solo Competition, sponsored by the Musical Arts Society of New Orleans at Loyola University. He will also be performing in a recital tour, premiering Joseph Foster Harkins' Three Piano Sonatinas. His performances of the works have received high praise from many Composition faculty across the country.
Although performing and playing the piano as a career has been his original intention, James has found a fond attachment and love for teaching piano. With the success of building a full-sized private studio from scratch, he has been providing in-home lessons to students of many different skill levels and ages in Chester and Delaware County. As he continues growing as a musician, he finds the same love in sharing his knowledge of music with his students as he finds from playing and studying himself.