Learn Songwriting with the
Best Teachers in LA

Wind & Fire member & various black church choirs.

*** Lesson Details ***
To connect with, meet you halfway on the path with, teach & direct from a sound & experienced mind the shortest and most direct methods to unveiling one's musical dreams coupled with on-going personal support, guidance, empowerment training, accompaniment and honest advice.

*** Specialties ***
Pop, Rock, R&B, Soul, Funk, Hip Hop, Music Theatre, Blues, Hard Rock, Gospel, Psychadelia, Acid Jazz, Metal, Country, Comedy, Free Jazz, Spoken Word...(everything other than serious classical music.)

iversity of Los Angeles.

If your dream is to be the best singer, pianist or song-writer you could possibly be, then you have found the right teacher. Many of Alex's students have gone onto exciting careers in the entertainment industry.

LESSON DETAILS:

The wide diversity of music styles in existence today means that every performer must develop his own niche in the musical world. Maestro Alex's teaching method is very effective and easy to understand. And it can be applied to all musical styles and levels.

Your lessons will begin with warm-up exercises: musical aerobics that help to develop great technical skills, and are fun to do. The balance of your lesson is dedicated to learning the music you naturally love and want to learn.

All programs include music book, learning material, instr. tracks, recordings, arrangements, YouTube videos, and everything you possibly need to become a great singer, pianist and song-writer.

Step by step you will learn musical basics that create a beautiful sound as you sing or play piano. You will gain technique, knowledge, artistic confidence, and eventually become the singer, pianist or song-writer you always wanted to be.

The key to success will be: practice, patience and persistence. With that plus your musical skills and talent you will amaze your friends and loved ones, and create many beautiful memories and successes in your life.

STUDIO EQUIPMENT:

Alex's V. Music School is located in West Hollywood. Big green umbrella on the porch with white table and chairs overlooks white rose garden.

Piano Studio with baby grand piano, big sofa, fire place, big-screen TV, paintings and plants create professional yet cozy atmosphere.

Vocal Studio: Kurzweil Grand Piano, big iMac, hi-tech recording studio, Tyros work-station, great sound system, big music library, copy machine, water fountain and healthy snacks.

SPECIALTIES:

All styles and levels: Pop, Jazz, Classical, R&B, to Rock, Country, Broadway, Opera, New Age, and more.

Alex can make great song arrangements, instrumental tracks, vocal recordings, YouTube videos, cool CDs, transcribe sheet music, etc.

MAESTRO ALEX V. (M.A.)

Alex was born in Riga, Latvia (former USSR). His musical career started at early age of 4 with performances on State TV. His musical training of 16 years culminated in Master of Arts.

In Latvia Alex worked at the State University of Latvia, State Musical Theater and Riga Film Studios.

Alex emigrated to United States in 1982, and for many years worked as a pianist, vocal coach and musical director at the LACHSA and Cal State University of Los Angeles.

Now he works at his home in W Hollywood. He composes and arranges music, and maintains a select list of privately tutored students, including Miss Universe, Star Search winners, professional singers, actors and song-writers.

Working directly w prof. Alex V. your natural talent will be groomed for success.

re harm than good. I believe attention must be paid to individual learning styles. Therefore, as a teacher I have learned to observe carefully at first and custom tailor a practice routine with each student aimed at achieving their goals. I believe the study of music helps foster a deep level of self-confidence and self realization, which eventually leads the student to discover a portion of himself he would otherwise never know. My goal is to inspire others with this joy, which is everyone's birthright and an important key in finding happiness.

A gifted singer-songwriter of Pop, Rock, World and Reggae songs that possess that timeless quality. He has recorded with 2 time Grammy nominated producer Barry Goldberg (Eagles, Robbie Robertson, Verve Pipe, Marilyn Manson). He has released three CDs, had songs featured in compilations and in feature length film, toured North America, and taught guitar, piano, and voice both privately and in an all ages Montessori school in Santa Monica. He consistently played in a variety of bands while earning an A.A. in music from SMC and later a B.A. in Ethnomusicology from UCLA, where he earned distinction as an excellent student both academically and in musical performance. He brought passion to his performances with legends, Fransisco Aguabellas Afro Cuban ensemble, Brazilian Batucada ensemble, African-American gospel choir, music and dance of Ghana, and the Balinese Gamelan ensemble. As a member of several original LA bands, (Las Manchas, Samson Simpson, Toussaint, Mentone, Cloth and Spicy Fernandez) he has performed at world famous venues and toured North America. He co-wrote and co-produced the first EP records by Samson Simson with Ronen Navah, and also co-produced Mentone's first full-length record, "Empire" with Ronen Navah and Aki Ehara" Currently he is developing his new band, Spicy Fernandez, which has released a few singles on the internet and is getting a good buzz from Industry heavy weights.

*** Lesson Details ***
I believe in custom tailoring a curriculum to fit the students needs, while still providing them with the same basic tools all musicians need to develop in order to play well (both with themselves and with others). Obviously, some students require more structure and discipline, while others have a stronger work ethic. Some may even need a teacher that is more laid back to balance them out, but more so my job is to facilitate learning and guide. A student studying with me can expect to receive a general assessment of their skill level in musicianship, theory, and on their instrument within the first couple of lessons (or once I feel that I have experienced enough of their abilities). Based on that assessment, I will work with the student to develop a plan of small goals to work toward. Progress will be monitored weekly and larger goals will unfold naturally in accord with the students own dreams and musical ambitions. Within 3 to 6 months of study with me students will learn to play a range of simple songs, basic scales, exercises, finger positions, and have a solid foundation for listening to, and playing to rhythm.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Full acoustic upright, Wurlizter electric piano, and keyboard synths, a computer based digital audio workstation...guitars...percussion...in the front room of my house. Has a full set-up for a band.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide copies of some sheet music, a library of music books, percussion instruments, digital recordings of lessons.
I expect that they provide their own instrument, pencil, notebook, 3-ring binder for sheet music, stereo/mp3 player, CD player, etc.

*** Specialties ***
I excel at popular music genres such as pop, blues, R&B, rock, and jazz. I am also trained classically and enjoy the challenges of standard repertoire from Bach to Chopin.
I began studying music as a student of the Suzuki method. However, today I find that my own practice resembles most closely, the Kodály, Dalcroze, and Orff-Schulwerk methodologies in philosophy and application.

lf-starting, and musically sensitive.

s the touring pianist for classical crossover group Vivace, as a solo singer-guitarist-pianist, and as the lead singer-guitarist-pianist-composer for my own symphonic-rock-fusion group, The Living. I've also toured extensively in Europe as keyboardist and backing vocalist for singer-songwriter Melanie Dekker.

My compositions have been performed by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, The Plastic Acid Orchestra, Turning Point Ensemble, Ad Mare Wind Quintet, Vivace, The Living, The Whiskeydicks and cellist-singer-songwriter Cris Derksen.

I have a B.Mus in Piano and Music Composition from The University of British Columbia. I'm an IVA Certified Level I Voice Instructor and have studied Vocals with John Henny, Jeffrey Skouson, Guy Babusek, and Spencer Welch; piano with Terence Dawson, David Vandereyk, and Ross Taggart; composition with Dorothy Chang, Keith Hamel, and Armanini; drums with Jay Deachman and Morgan Childs; bass with David Spidel; and accordion with Jelena Milojevic.

I've just moved to LA from Vancouver where I had about 40 students, so this is the time to sign up as I have room for new students for the first time in years!

gwriting efforts. In 2014, we were lucky enough to make it on the Vans Warped Tour and play for crowds of thousands of people.

In 2016, I graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a B.A. in Music Industry Studies, a program which not only emphasized an understanding of recording technology and the music business, but also focused highly on promoting musicianship and music theory comprehension.

Following graduation, I have continued to work in live audio, namely as Audio Visual Coordinator of Associated Students Inc. at Cal Poly Pomona. In this position, I supervise a team of 6 student audio visual technicians, which has allowed me to realize my potential as a mentor and educator as I help to develop my student's skills in audio and visual technology.

I am looking forward to prospect of dedicating more of my time toward helping others begin or continue their own musical journeys. I can proficiently teach drums, guitar, and bass (though we may use the piano to discuss music theory).
I have all the necessary gear to teach these instruments in my home, so in some cases you may not even need to bring anything to your lesson! I am also open to commuting to your own home if this is more comfortable for you or your child.

Thank you so much for taking the time to look at my profile, and I hope you will consider taking your next drum, guitar, or bass lesson with me!

I have a core curriculum that I adapt according to level and style so that the student can have as many tools as possible to create great music that they’re proud of.

I really believe that listening to some of my work is probably the best way to “size me up.” I can’t include links here…but you can find me if you type a “. com” after my name or if you search “TREN Live or Survive.”