Placentia, CA Songwriting Lessons

comes to have dinner and hang out. I named my son after the musical "Oliver" and the name suits him! I like that Oliver means " peace offering" I grew up in the Hollywood Hills, and love the history of Hollywoodland, I also love music and TV history. My uncle Sherwood co wrote 2 of the most iconic TV themes of all time in GIlligan's Island theme and the Brady Bunch. My mom, (Judithe) and I wrote songs together for 25 years. I named my first publishing company after my dog, Atso and he was the president and his legacy lives on in his name.

Employment History / Credits

Songwriting School of Los Angeles 2010- present
Musicians Institute 1992-present
Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA) 2013 - present
Neighborhood Rock School 2013- present
Dick Grove School of Music 1985-1992
LA Recording Workshop 1998-2005
The Baywatch Production Co / Fremantle Media 1989-1999

Education:

Dick Grove School of Music

Composition Program 1982-1983
Keyboard Program 1983-1984

Hollywood High School 1979
Honors in Music and History

ATAS member since 1997
Emmy judge for 15 years

Platinum Hit :" Tomorrow Doesn't Matter Tonight" Starship /RCA Records
"The Last Time" Agnetha Faltskog (ABBA) / WEA Records
Gold: "Where Are You Now" Roxus / Austrailia / Mushroom Records
Wrote numerous songs for TV show "Baywatch" 1989-1999
Songs /music in various TV movies, reality shows, films 1979-current
Collaborated with American Idol Top 5 finalist Brooke White
American Idol songwriting contest finalist 2007 / Jordin Sparks year
Co authored Music Book "The Lead Sheet Bible" A step by step guide to doing lead sheets and chord charts, published by Hal Leonard Publ. 1998

*** Lesson Details ***
To me every student is unique and special, therefore I design the lesson around what they need and or want to learn. With the younger students, I strongly suggest we work out of a book as well as me giving them handouts to work on too. There are many and various books by Faber and Faber I love to use. Hal Leonard and Alfred Publishing have some great books depending on the students needs. With kids, it's important to keep it fun and interesting, and get them on a practice schedule. I believe one must have much patience with the younger students and the level of communication must be high, keeping them engaged and focused. With teens and adults, it depends on where they are at, and I always ask what they want to concentrate on. A well rounded piano lesson would work on reading, technique, theory, songs. Again, depending on the type of student, the lesson would incorporate more /and or less of these components.
I've been coined the "Chord Queen" by many students because of my fascination with how theory plays a subconscious role in songwriters who write by ear and if I'm teaching songwriting, we are looking at how the song is structured, the lyrics,the music, and of course the harmony and arrangement and I'm here to guide the student to be able to finish the song, and them be happy when it comes to fruition.

The subjects I've taught:

Piano
Theory
Ear Training
Songwriting/ Artist Development
Music History
Transcribing/Chord Charts/Lead Sheets
Music Publishing/Copyright

*** Studio Equipment ***
I have a piano I teach at in my home, I have a photo copy machine to make copies and Wifi access if the student needs to bring their computer.Ipad, etc in regards to songwriting

*** Travel Equipment ***
I can bring music/paper/pens/pencils/hand outs/sheet music
Students should have piano/keyboard/Access to computer, or ipad would be helpful for research,examples. Lots of people have their music on their cell phones.

*** Specialties ***
Mostly Contemporary music,but have taught in many styles
pop/Rock/Country/Jazz/Soul genres

erformance savvy.
She relishes the chance to put her skills to the test in a wide variety of musical genres. In addition to writing and performing, Jen keeps busy as a private instructor to dozens of aspiring guitarists. She also has done over 1000 online instructional videos totaling up to more than 40 million views for YouTube and Mahalo website. Her various Mahalo website "Learn Guitar" apps have over 300,000 downloads and has had an itunes #1 ibook on how to play guitar.

*** Lesson Details ***
Students can expect a very patient supportive atmosphere. Lessons are catered to each students individual needs. The lessons are laid back but also with the understanding that if you work hard you can accomplish any goal that is set.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Apartment extra guitars, computers, music stands

*** Travel Equipment ***
I expect that the student has his/her own guitar. Any other specifics can be decided on after the first lesson.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in teaching blues, rock, and folk.

ns for the last 6 years.

With all of this experience and knowledge, I offer a student a very rich understanding of many styles of music. I can ensure that a student gets on the right track towards a bright musical future, whether they want to become a professional musician or whether they want guitar as a lifelong hobby.

*** Lesson Details ***
When you take lessons from me, you will be taking the fastest route to success: playing a lot of guitar! We will cover everything from music theory to technique to soloing to playing your favorite songs, but we won't be spending the lesson time talking. Everything you learn will be quickly put into a playable, practical context, so that you learn the most, and have the most fun!

I have high expectations for my students, and practicing every day is a requirement. But because my curriculum is personally tailored to each individual student, and involves a lot of the music that the student is most passionate about, I find my students often love to practice! I also use a variety of musical texts to enrich the students learning (including, but not limited to, Practical Theory for Guitar by Don Latarski, Effortless Mastery by Kenny Werner, the Real Book series, and various Mel Bay books).

After about 6 months, a new student will have learned most basic chords and scales, the building blocks of playing solos, and a good handful of their favorite songs! More experienced students will have enriched their understanding of guitar and how it relates to the music they love, and music that is new to them!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Lessons will happen in a studio room at the guest house, electric/acoustic guitars, bass and amps are available, it has instruments on the wall, computer with recording equipment, free street parking. In the event that a student in allergic to cats/dogs, the lessons can occur on the backyard at a roofed area.

*** Travel Equipment ***
guitar, amp, any effects if necessary. student must provide guitar (any kind)

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in rock, pop, folk, and jazz guitar styles. I focus on material that the individual student is excited about and wants to learn, and incorporate fundamentals and other pertinent skills necessary to maximize the students ability.

For bass guitar I specialize in rock and pop.

Contemporary songwriting technique is not genre-specific and I can teach any type of songwriting, from hip hop to country to rock. I have been a songwriter for 7 years, and have released 3 full length albums and one EP of my original material. I was also a student in the pilot classes which later became USC's Popular Music degree program. These classes focused on songwriting and were taught by industry veterans Chris Sampson and Richard Smith.

I was trained in advanced music theory as part of my degree from USC. I integrate theory into my other lessons but I can also teach theory alone.

I have advanced skills with ProTools and have extensive experience (5 years) in recording, from professional studios to personal home setups.

ds for 12 years as an electric guitarist and also for 4 years as a solo acoustic guitarist mixing Bossa Nova, Classical Guitar and original compositions into my performance repertoire.

*** Lesson Details ***
I'm a patient teacher that's passionate about guitar and helping students reach their musical goals whether they are casual players or serious musicians. For beginners, I use Hal Leonard instructional guitar books along with paper handouts and sheet music. I believe it's important for everyone to learn the fundamentals of music to create a strong base of skills in order to continue playing and learning music throughout one's life. For more experienced players, I like to teach various modern rock/pop songs, classical guitar songs, picking patterns, finger picking patters, improvisation, scales and music theory. I teach nylon string acoustic, steel string acoustic guitar and electric guitar and bass
I believe the most basic goal for a guitar student is to be able to play a song in it's entirety, whether it's by themselves or with other musicians/music students. I believe that some of the most important music skills are learned while actually playing with other musicians. It is crucial when learning an instrument to be able to play in 'real time'; playing music with a steady sense of rhythm.

*** Specialties ***
I teach Classical Guitar, Brazilian Jazz, bass guitar, rock, pop, blues, funk and folk guitar using method books, sheet music and guitar tablature.

o detail but I'm very passionate about music so no matter what I can make it interesting.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Grand Piano.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Resources to books.

*** Specialties ***
I teach beginning/intermediate piano, voice, ukulele, and music theory from ages 4 and older.

the CD's "Meditation" volumes 1 and 2, and "Atalanta Fugiens: Fifty Alchemical Fugues".

*** Lesson Details ***
Lessons are always tailored to the needs of the student. If you are a beginner, you will learn how to play the piano and read music. If you already play and wish to take your playing to another level, you can learn how to play in a particular style of music. Or, if you are an aspiring composer or song writer, you can learn to develop your own ideas with Burt's help.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Kawai MP4 digital stage piano, Motu Digital Performer sequencing/arranging/recording software, Native Instruments Kontakt Sample Library, EMU Mps + Orchestral keyboard, Peavey keyboard amplifier.

*** Specialties ***
Besides teaching piano performance, basic musicianship, and theory, Burt's specializes in composition and will help you develop your own musical ideas.

riate to each piece.

Social Goals:
Create a polite & kindly atmosphere.
Dissolve the STRESS, allowing singing to be FUN.
Keep the student motivated.

Accompaniment options:
Melody line only/basic chords (when learning repertoire & vocal techniques.)
Pre-recorded tracks. (CD/Tape for practice & performance.)
Hire an accompanist. (For applicable lessons & performance.)

Practicing Goals: (Monthly Practice Schedule Handout)
Encourage consistency rather than length.

We will study proper breathing, placement, stretching your vocal range, posture, poise, vowels, stage presence, communicating the lyric of a song, connecting with your audience, song selection, voice type, ear training, confidence, mic technique, how to read music, music resources, building your repertoire, pitch, rhythm, how to choose a song, vocal exercises, proper technique, mouth placement, tone, and facial expressions amongst many others! The following is a current biography, but I will provide a teaching and performing resume upon request. I am also happy to provide samples of me singing! I do not have a website at this time, but I am working on having it set up very soon! I look forward to hearing from you!

"Amy most recently performed with Musical Theatre West's productions of the highly acclaimed, Sweeney Todd, directed by Calvin Remsburg, and Annie with Tony Award winner Andrea McArdle. She came straight from starring in a beautiful production of Godspell at the Candlelight Pavilion, and as Mabel in Performance Riverside's production of Pirates of Penzance. She had the pleasure of playing Josie Cohan in the world premiere of Academy Award winner Richard Sherman's new musical, Pazzazz! at the El Capitan theatre in Hollywood. She'™s traveled around the world performing with Norwegian Cruise Lines and Vox Lumiere, and locally with Orange County Opera and Enrichment Works Productions. Regional theatre: Mary in the Glory of Christmas (Crystal Cathedral), Johanna in Sweeney Todd(Starlight Bowl), Jenny in Company(Performance Riverside), Cinderella in Into the Woods(Candlelight Pavilion), Rosina in Barber of Seville (Orange County Opera), Belle in Beauty and the Beast (ITL Award), Sarah in Guys and Dolls (Candlelight Pavilion)."

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