Rosemead, CA Songwriting Lessons

or The Anthony Mulcahy Band, where we opened for acts such as Glen Hansard and Mark Geary. In 2012, I was a featured artist at the Gealach Gorm Songwriter Festival in Kill, Ireland. I began working for Forbes Music Company in NY as a piano, violin, guitar, and vocal instructor. My debut album, "Too Happy For Love", released in February 2012, was acclaimed for "exhibiting a diverse and unique musical background, as well as a natural grasp of language and storytelling."

“I have been an educator and administrator for quite sometime, and am aware of the qualities that separate mediocre from good, and good from great. Taryn is unquestionably great. I am constantly evaluating teaching talent in private instruction, group instruction, and in public/ private school classrooms. It is not often that I find a teacher with Taryn’s ability, passion, personality, and commitment.”

-Forbes Music Company, NY

*** Lesson Details ***
My philosophy is that every lesson should be personalized to what the student's goals are. Music affects each of us differently, and therefore should be taught uniquely to that individual. Whether you want to become the next Billy Joel or Mozart, I can get you playing the tunes that you love in no time! I think it's important that you still get the same fundamentals and theory no matter what genre you're interested in, so that one day you can write your own tunes! I take particular care to make sure you make it through blocks of weaknesses, and get you back on track to reach your practice goals. It's all about making you the musician you've always wanted to be!

*** Studio Equipment ***
SV-1 Korg Vintage Stage Piano-88 key, Acoustic Guitars, Behringer Piano & Vox amp, violin, Shure PS-58 mic, ProTools, Blue Recording Mic

*** Travel Equipment ***
My own violin and guitar

*** Specialties ***
I am a classically trained musician with extensive experience in the pop/rock/contemporary genres, as well as jazz and folk music. I am a singer/songwriter, and love to encourage the students to express themselves through music.

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

I've have the fortune of performing as a lead singer in bands across the country, and let me tell you there is no bigger thrill than getting in-front of a crowd full of cheering fans, performing music you love.

I've also been playing the guitar for just under 10 years. Playing the guitar has been both a complete joy, but also a fantastic learning experience. I have been learning songs of my favorite artists and even written my own material,and having the opportunity to immerse myself in my favorite music and create music of my own has taught me so much more about music and being a musician. I hope to impart this experience onto all of my students.

Whether it's trumpet, voice, or guitar, I love all things music and my #1 objective is to for my students to learn how it feels to experience what music REALLY has to offer, so to you reading this, let's make some noise!

*** Lesson Details ***
For starters, understand that you're going to have a blast! Within months of working together, I'll have you playing your favorite songs, or feeling prepared for that upcoming audition. I remember what it was like to have second thoughts about auditioning and performance, and I'll make sure those thoughts are a thing of the past for you!

During our lessons, I enjoy addressing the material you have to work on, whether in school or just for your own enjoyment. At the same time, I will present music and materials of my own, and I encourage you to do the same!

I have always enjoyed learning from my students as they have learned from myself, and I could only hope to express how rewarding it is when I see a student of mine progress from week to week and achieve their own goals.

Whether you are a beginner or an advanced player, you can be guaranteed we'll make steady progress and we will achieve your goals. Get ready to wow your friends and family!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Metronome
Post-it Notes
Music Stand(s)
Chairs
Computer/Internet
Keyboard
Guitar(s)

*** Travel Equipment ***
I would provide utilities including music stand, metronome, some external source of pitch.

I expect the student to bring any and all assigned music/material they wish to work on. The student will also begin the lesson prepared with basic necessities, including a pencil (please, no pens) and all music assigned from prior lesson (if this is a first-lesson, bring any/all music you currently have and/or are working on). Vocal students will bring a bottle of water. Trumpet students will have their own valve oil and mouthpiece (if not originally included with your horn).

*** Specialties ***
Trumpet methods include (not limited to) Arban's, Clarke, Sachs, Rubank, Getchell, Adam, Schlossberg, Colin, Bai Lin.

For instruments outside the trumpet, methods will address school curriculum, unless student has advanced beyond provided materials.

I strongly encourage students of voice, guitar, and piano to pick material of their choosing.

Classical and rock are the genres to which I am most attracted

curriculum just for them based on their musical desires, strengths and weaknesses so I can help them become the best player that they can be. Each lessons will be a balance of learning new technique and theory and applying them in songs that excite and inspire.
Things such as: music theory, ear and harmony training, single string technique, sight and cord chart reading, cord structure, song writing, tone shaping, guitar maintenance and playing live will be covered with students as they advance. Feed back is always welcome and appreciated. This is your lesson, let's make sure you get the most out of it.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Music Studio: Guitars, amps, mixing board, protools, computer with external stereo, seating for parents can be arranged

*** Travel Equipment ***
I can bring my own guitar and cables. But the student will need to have their own guitar, amp etc

*** Specialties ***
Blues, Rock, Metal, Jazz, Funk and Country

d many others. She has been producing music and vocals in the recording studio, coaching voice, piano, songwriting, rap writing, performance, studio, jazz, blues, classical, pop and artist development for the past 20 years. She was operatically trained by Juilliard instructor Sylvia Bagley, trained as a jazz singer at world re-known Berklee College of Music, where she won several songwriting awards, and was R & B/Pop trained by Vocal Coach To The Stars, Seth Riggs. In 2010 she had a #6 Billboard hit dance song, which she wrote and sang and 2 top 10 hits in 2016. She has written, recorded and performed songs in several different languages for a variety of films, television shows, and commercials such as Nickelodeon's Hollywood Heights, The Natalee Holloway Story, Spike Lee Productions, Barbie, Ponds, Target, Ford, Mazda, Pontiac, The Guiding Light, The Young and The Restless. MTV and several others. Fawn has also sung, written and played in many different styles from Jazz/Blues to Classical to Pop to children's to Opera.

Fawn is a very fun, yet honest and straight-forward coach. She loves working with adults and children, and considers lessons a 'team effort to reach her students' goals. Being that music and the entertainment business are her career and life, she is current and relevant, yet has plenty of old school training to be well rounded and help students build a strong foundation. Music and the entertainment business are her life, and she loves helping people reach their goals and meet their dreams. She has released 5 albums, several singles, won numerous awards and worked with such talents as Grammy winners Lalah Hathaway and Paula Cole, Meredith Brooks, Vampire Diaries Kat Grahm, BT, Jeff Goldblum, Right Said Fred, Ed Townsend, QD3, Club Nuveau's Val Watson, Robbie Benson and shared the stage with Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Carol Channing, Kevin Sorbo, Pink, Joss Stone, David Guetta, Katy Perry, Moby, Dionne Warwick, James Torme', David Foster, Thelma Houston, David Pomeranz, War and countless others. She has also worked with Kevin Costner, Alexandra Paul, David Marshall Grant, Florence Henderson, Jay Leno, Hulk Hogan, Darryl Hannah, Tommy Lee, Martin Lawrence, Magic Johnson, Pamela Anderson, Jermaine Dupri, Rae Dawn Chong, Eva Longoria, Joan Rivers, Erik Estrada, John Amos, and others appearing with them in film, TV and benefits for worthy causes.

Over the years, Fawn has been known to bring students into her inner circle, so they can gain more experience and exposure, taking them to red carpets, events and even putting them up onstage to perform. She remembers having piano, voice and songwriting coaches, and being frustrated in voice because instructors were not addressing issues that needed to be addressed. This is why she creates a positive and comfortable, safe environment so students can open up and progress quickly. Fawn moves straight to the heart of the matter and gets whatever needs work figured out, so students can move on to what their goals and dreams are. She has helped actors be able to sing parts for their TV shows, helped popular bands be able to have good stage performances and presence with precision dancing and singing and has helped vocalists find their true voice. She is able to get piano students as young as 5 to a high-level Concerto level of playing with in 3 years, completely reading the pieces on their own. The youngest person she has ever taught was 3 years old and blind. The oldest person she has ever taught so far taught was 89 years old, after suffering a stroke. She was able to help her get her voice back within 20 minutes of her first lesson. Fawn also does vocal rehabilitation, vocal therapy, and music therapy. She has worked with special needs children with Downs Syndrome, ADHD, ADD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Pit Hopkins Disease and more. As far as being a songwriter, Fawn generally writes words and music at the same time but she has also written lyrics and music separately, as well as composed instrumental pieces. Fawn trained with Pat Pattison and Grammy winning Lyricist Marty Panzer in lyric writing and she is a master at producing, recording and editing vocals, and is happy to help you with your recording projects, as she owns Terrace Recording Studios in Los Angeles, CA.

Brief Synopsis of Professional Experience:

- Platinum and Gold Award Winning Vocal Coach
- Began in the Entertainment Industry at age 6 months, starring in several National TV Commercials
- Recording Artist and songwriter of Billboard Top 10 Hit song "Wish U Love"
- Recording Artist and songwriter of Top 10 Hit song "Solitude"
- Recording Artist and songwriter of Top 10 Hit song "Where Has Your Love Gone"
- Award Winning Songwriter/Lyricist
- Grammy Winning Vocal and Songwriting Clientele
- Berklee College Of Music
-Seasoned Jazz, Pop, Blues and Commercial vocalist
I can get them to Concerto level in 3 years, completely reading music on their own and self sufficient. I teach all of the important fundamentals for a strong foundation, but to the PERSONALITY of the person, because each of us has different styles, different points of view, different things that block us, different things that inspire us. I teach the same, important fundamentals necessary for a strong foundation, but tailor make it to each individual. I teach all styles of music.

I love working with individuals and groups who want to meet their musical dreams, achieve success in their entertainment careers and/or take their abilities and talents to a higher quality level. I have been known to take some of my students on red carpets with me as well as get them performing opportunities and put them in high level networking situations as well.

- Patient
- All ages (have taught 3-89 so far!)
- Great with kids (of all ages!)
- Studio Session Vocal Coaching
- I teach children and adults with special needs
- Injured Chords/Vocal Therapy/Voice Rehabilitation
- Live Performance and Stage Presence
- Music Therapy for special needs

SONGWRITING
Learn song form, tighten lyrics and melodies, get inspired when you don't "feel" like writing, good prosody, copyright, legalities, how to place songs in film and TV, record your finished song in the studio.

PIANO LESSONS
Emphasis on reading music, classical training, music theory, fingering, improv, chords and ear training. All styles of music are taught-Classical/Jazz/Ragtime/Pop/Broadway/R&B-Chord Charts, How to Accompany a Singer, Compose Music, Write songs and Play Piano while Singing. Learn about the origin of music, composers, how styles of music evolved.

VOICE LESSONS
"Make A Stop at the Vocal Shop"
Learn correct breathing, how to put emotion in your voice, how to connect with your fan base and audience, how to expand your vocal range, style a song, address pitch problems, microphone technique, ear training, how to change your voice for different styles of singing, Opera/R & B/Pop/Jazz/Gospel/Broadway/Jingle singing - Studio singing vs. Live singing, performance, songwriting, lyric writing, stage presence, recording artist packaging, preparation and auditions, recording studio vocal coaching for studio sessions. I have also studied with Seth Riggs and teach his methods. For people who are tone def, or completely off pitch, I can get you on pitch with in 3 lessons.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Recording Studio:
Complete professional home studio with vocal both. Equipment confidential, but includes piano, guitars, microphones, vocal booth, music stands, step master and much more.
Billboard Hit Song, Best Dance Album of the Year and Best Dance Single of The Year Recorded there, as well as many other songs for film and TV.

Kitchen and Bathroom. 400 square feet. Seating for additional guests, parents. Lighting and Disco ball! :)

*** Travel Equipment ***
Amp, Microphone, Teaching Materials, Video Camera, iPad, recorder, other

*** Specialties ***
*Voice-I specialize in Body Programming, Vocal Rehabilitation, Music Therapy, as well as Seth Riggs's technique. I combine those two techniques, plus my own experience of being in the entertainment industry since the age of 6 months old. Some of the things I cover are range, singing correctly, finding your mix, finding your middle, strengthening your head voice, strengthening your chest voice, vocal placement, correct breathing, singing with feeling, singing in different languages, opera, jazz, pop, Broadway, jingle singing, scat singing, blues, rock, hip hop, r and b, children's, and more.
*Piano-all genres are covered with an emphasis on classical, but I also cover-jazz, pop, songwriting, ragtime etc. Theory, technique, ear training and more
*Songwriting- good prosody, melody, lyrical meter, chords and more.
*I teach what is needed, and tailor the lesson to the personality and individual goals. All students have are given a strong foundation to build on.

more. Lessons with me will be built around your own unique personal goals and are scheduled to best fit to the student’s schedule when possible.

nd songwriters The Jackie Boyz, Chart Topping Artist Sean Kingston, Disney's Caitlyn Taylor Love and many more!

pectful. Do you have what it takes to be the next student of Valerie? :) Feel free to message me with any questions and I will respond asap!