Santa Ysabel Music Lessons

ion of Scott Johnson & Jeff Lee in 2002, and Sean Vega & Jim Wunderlich in 2003.

During my college years I started playing Jazz Vibraphone in my school'™s top big-band. This allowed me the opportunity to play Jazz Piano which I have performed and still study until this day. As a result, Jazz has now become one of my biggest passions.

As a Professional International Composer, I have had the privilege of writing and arranging for many marching bands, wind ensembles, and indoor percussion ensembles, including orchestrations, recordings and sequencing projects for media, and musical theatre in the United States and Japan.

I am also currently an adjudicator for the Southern California Band and Orchestra Association (SCSBOA) and a member of the Vic-Firth Education Team.

I hope that this gives you a close and personal Idea of where I come from and hope that I can help you get the most out of your experience with music.

*** Lesson Details ***
I believe that in order for you to get the most out of our lessons it takes both, the Teacher'™s and Student'™s understanding and attention from both ends. sometimes giving all of the information in the world won't help if one there is no engagement and two if me as a teacher don't make sure that you understand. So I like to make sure to explain things in more than one way to make sure the student understands the concepts and what to practice.

I like to keep a relaxed atmosphere, but also making sure that there is a high level of professionalism and expectation of attentiveness from the student.

Of course, I also understand that this all depends on the age of the student, and as we meet and get to see what it is that you want to focus on and I will make sure to concentrate on that and help you reach your goals!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Mallets, Concert and Marching Sticks, Metronome, Practice pad, and Literature.
(Acoustic and Electric Piano are available depending on the time we arrange our lessons at the studio)
(Electric Drumset Available soon)

*** Travel Equipment ***
Mallets, Concert and Marching Sticks, Metronome, Practice pad, and Literature.
(I sometimes bring additional implements, such as hand drums, like a djembe and other accessories, depending on the focus of our lessons.)
I may be able to bring a Keyboard upon request

*** Specialties ***
I have been performing with Drum and bugle corps since 2002, (DCI)

Marching Rudimental, and Concert Percussion styles. All Percussion.
Orchestral, Marimba, Vibraphone, and Marching Percussion.

I specialize in the Jazz genre, and have performed Jazz piano.. which includes sight-reading and chord recognition in the Jazz idiom.

and recitals in New York City, London, Edinburgh, and various cities in Italy as well as locally here in California and Florida. Rebecca received her Bachelor in Music degree from the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. She is a student in the online Masters program for Music Education at the University of Florida, Gainesville. She has also studied at the Universita per Stranieri in Perugia, the International Lyric Academy of Rome, and the International Institute of Vocal Arts in Chiari, Italy. She is currently the Director of Music Ministries at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church in Carlsbad, California, and teaches voice and piano privately.

Rebecca is a regular performer with the San Diego Opera and is a former member of the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay. She is featured on their 1996 release Christmas with the Master Chorale. Other recordings include Mahler VIII - Symphony of 1000 in the chorus with the late Robert Shaw. Other conductors and coaches Rebecca has worked with include Sir David Willcocks, Julius Rudel, Stefano Vignati, Dr. Robert Summer, John Mario DI Costanzo, the late Cesare Rufini, Diego Moccia, Annetta Monroe,
*** Lesson Details ***
Lessons are tailored to the individual student's initial abilities. In all genres of music it is important to breathe well, have breath support, communicate the emotion and character of the song, and eliminate vocal bad habits. These issues are different for everyone.

I teach a classical Italian technique of breath support and beautiful tone, and these techniques can be applied to all musical styles.

The student will be assigned and choose songs to learn and work on as we incorporate the techniques into the songs and vocal exercises.

Piano lessons and Italian lessons are also available from ages 5 and up.

*** Studio Equipment ***
CD player, 7' Boston grand piano, digital recorder

*** Travel Equipment ***
Yamaha keyboard.

*** Specialties ***
Voice, classical, pop, Broadway, opera, Italian, piano, music theory,
audition preparation. I specialize in opera but sing many styles, including pop, classical, and musical theatre; I teach all styles in piano.

tudent at his/her skill level and age. I discuss the various books with the parent and together we make a decision on the books used to help the child learn in his/her best way. Having taught several string instruments during the past 15 years...I understand the importance of passing on musical knowledge to brave adult beginners and to children and their parents who are starting out on a musical journey. . Music lessons can be a wonderful "corner stone" to help build confidence, creativity and explore new beginnings in learning a musical instrument. Music lessons also boost reading, math and critical thinking skills. Lesson are but a series of building blocks that bring joy and confidence to the young and old. Believe in music for life! Come take lessons and we will explore a musical journey together on the violin or fiddle.
In the past 10 years, I have taught violin and fiddle privately at my home studio and at various music camps, festivals, violin workshops and classrooms around the US. I continue to take private, classical violin lessons and go to music education seminars and workshops. In addition, for the past 20 years, I've attend music camps and week long workshops around the US. These camps, workshops and festivals focus on the various violin both for adults and children and for fiddle, traditions such as Old-Time (Southern) Appalachian, Scandinavian, Scottish and Bluegrass. Several of the workshops I go to yearly focus on classical violin playing and teaching for both adults and children. I play in a community string orchestra on a weekly basis for the past 8 years with a classical repertoire. I also continue to take private fiddle lesson with a classically trained violinist who is a professional fiddler. I'm continually learning so that I can pass information on to my students. Come "fiddle" with me and learn this exciting instrument.
I am now retired from nursing having spent 30 years in the nursing education field.
I would enjoy working with you or your child to help you or the child discover the joys of music making tailored to your goals on the violin or the fiddle. Besides teaching, I'm involved with my husbands business, Bobs Violins and Bows. We restore, setup, rent and make violins. We also repair and re-hair bows and sell new and vintage restored bows. Our shop helps students as well as professional players. If you decide on lessons, please get in touch with us BEFORE you rent or purchase an instrument for the student .For children we have smaller size instruments. My husband is a professional luthier and sets up all instruments so you will be learning and playing on a good student violin. We recommend renting an instrument instead of purchasing one to make sure the student wants to continue to play and learn. For children: Violins come in fractional sizes and the child needs to be measured correctly to ensure a proper size. If an instrument is too big, this can lead to discouragement with not being able to play. If you sign up for lessons with me, contact us first before you purchase an instrument so that we can measure the student for the proper size. Learning to play on an instrument that is professionally setup and of the correct size will help the new student progress and they will have an enjoyable experience. Playing on a violin that is too big for a child can lead to injury or frustration for the student and parent.

*** Lesson Details ***
My violin/fiddle lessons start out with the basics for beginners. For a beginning student, the basic approach to good technique for the instrument is essential in developing tension-free playing. To give you an idea of the basics: how the violin and bow are held, good posture, producing great tone with your instrument, learning basic music theory (major and minor scales, arpeggios and note values), sight-reading music, aural training (learning by ear), rhythm, learning how to tune the instrument and instrument care. I always teach the violin parts, some history of the instrument and how to care for your instrument and put it away after each practice. I also teach the student how to practice and we go over a hand written practice sheet at the end of each lesson so they have a lesson plan from which to work on at home. If the student is a child, I review this lesson plan with the parent and encourage them to be active with the student during the week of practice.
What are lessons like for a student? I use a simultaneous approach to violin technique, in that everything connects. I teach through the very basics of building skills using a variety of warm-ups, exercises, etudes and pieces (tunes) from violin or fiddle books that are age and skill level appropriate. Together the student and I use hands on learning; listening to tunes/pieces by my playing the tune for them and by using music CD's. I teach sight reading and playing music from notation with skill building work books to read music and basic theory. I have the student play along with me on simple exercises. This incorporates a sense of fun and meaning for the student. I also incorporate ear-training (aural skills) in teaching children and adults, this builds confidence and joy in listening which builds musicianship. . I use a call and response method to help establish skill building in all areas of playing from tone production to intonation (playing a note to correct pitch) to learning tunes and pieces and to establishing rhythms and beginning improvisation. Call and response is: teacher plays and student plays it back. This is a fun way to learn for adults and children. This is creative teaching and learning methods where progress is made by the fact there is no right or wrong way...just individual progress that builds confidence. I'm a flexible and caring teacher in helping develop musicianship skills. I'm a very firm believer in practice and teach the student (parents of children) how to practice effectively. A written practice sheet is sent home. Progress can be accomplished with only 15-30 minutes of focused practice a day. I believe that the teacher is an essential force in developing good practice habits with a student so they can grow individually and really enjoy both learn and making music.

*** Studio Equipment ***
I have a large, sun filled room in my home that is my studio. It is a smoke -free home. I have a music stand, good lighting, chairs, a tuner, metronome, a digital recorder, and several shoulder rests and chin rests to try out for individual comfort and play ability. In addition I have a music library of violin and fiddle books, CD's, videos and student articles of interest that I can share with my students. I also have properly set up violins of all sizes for rental for adults and children. Children need special sizes of violins to learn and play on so they will not become injured playing on an instrument that is too big for them. Buying instruments on Ebay or the net can be a disaster as they tend to not be setup correctly for playing and can also be of poor workmanship and materials. It's best to talk to a trained luthier or someone with knowledge before you buy an instrument. Beware of the VSO's....Violin shaped objects. Come fiddle with me. Stay tuned. Diane

*** Travel Equipment ***
I like my students to have a three ring notebook with folders inside and about 8 protective clear sheets so I can write down their assignment, notes and the handouts can be saved for reference. I give out lots of handouts and charts to help[ the student so they don't have to buy lots of different books. They in turn can write down questions for me for the next lesson. A good music stand at home is important so having a stand and a space for music is important for the progress of the student.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in teaching children ages 5 and up. I also love teaching adults. I prefer to use several method (tutor) books depending on the student, their skill level and their age. I use several different music theory workbooks as well, again appropriate for adults, youth or a young child.
I teach classical violin technique for beginners for a solid foundation in violin playing and branch out into fiddle tunes and styles if the student is interested in learning fiddling. Having a good background in violin technique and basic music theory prepares the student for any genres they wish to learn. This also educates them to the proper mechanics of tension-free and pain free playing that is very important for a beginning student. and for success and progress.
Come learn violin with me and have fun while progressing.

pecialties ***
Patience and communicating in an effective way and encouraging students to practice without regarding such a task as a chore.

012 Andrew Shulman (Principal Cellist in LA Chamber Orchestra)
2008-2011 Peter Stumpf (Professor at Indiana University & former LA Phil Principal Cellist)
2007-2008 Nathaniel Rosen (Gold Medalist in International Tchaikovsky Competition)
2006-2007 Eleonore Scheonfeld (former Piatigorsky Chair at USC)
2004-2006     Aldo Parisot (Professor at Yale School of Music)
2001-2003  Myung-Wha Chung (Professor at the Korean National University of
Arts)
1998-2000   Hyung-won Chang (a faculty member at the Korean National University of Arts and Yonsei University)
1997-1998   Lev Yevgrafov (a professor at the Tchaikovsky Conservatory and Gnessins Special Music School)
1994-1997   Alexander Seleznev (a faculty member at pre-college of the Tchaikovsky conservatory)

Teaching Experience

2012 Cello Teacher at Diamond Bar High School, CA
2009 Beverly Hills Conservatory & Institute of Art, Music, and Science
2009- Teaching Assistant at USC, Thornton School of Music
2006-2008 Teaching Assistant at Yale University, School of Music

Competitions and Awards

2007 Rene Fe Bland Scholarship Recipient. Santa Barbara, CA
2005-2006 Full Scholarship (Yale University) New Haven, CT
2001-2003  Full scholarship (the Korean National University of Arts) Seoul,
Korea
2000 Nov.  2nd prix Hanjun Artspool Center Competition (Hanjun Elecrtic
Center) Seoul
1999 May  1st prize Seoul Youth Chamber Competition. (Seoul Arts High
School) Seoul
1999 Feb.   Grand Prix Korean Philharmonic Competition (Korean Philharmonic Orchestra) Seoul, Korea.

Solo Recitals and Chamber Concerts

2006 – 2007 A Cellist in a Graduate String Quartet with Prof. Midori Goto at
USC
2006 April Soloist at Yale Cellos Concert
2003 Feb.  Recital (Kumho Art Gallery) - Paganini Variations on a Theme by
Moses, F. Schubert Arpeggione Sonata, Dvorak’s Cello Concerto in b minor
1999 Nov. ‘Young Artist Concert’ (Kumho Gallery) - Piano Trios S. Rahmaninoff ‘Elegiaque’ No. 2 & D. Shostakovich No. 2)
1996 June   Recital (Dom Druzhbui), Moscow, Russia.
1992 April  Recital (Tchaikovsky Conservatory Hall) - Breval, Vivaldi Sonatas, Moscow, Russia.

Concertos

1999 Feb.   Korean Philharmonic Orchestra (Yangchun Kumin Center) –
D. Shostakovich Cello Concerto No. 1
1998 June  Vryemyena Goda Chamber Orchestra (Gnessins Institute Hall) - J.Haydn cello concerto in C
1997 July   The Moscow Symphony Orchestra - Variations on a Rococo theme by P. Tchaikovsky

Music Festivals Participated

2012 March International Piatigorsky Festival, Los Angeles, CA
2007 June Piatigorsky Seminar for Cellists, Los Angeles, CA
2005 July Music Festival in Banff, Canada
2002 June Music Festival, Casalmaggiore, Italy
2001 July 13-Aug. Elan Music Festival, Stowe, VT
1999 June         International Adam Cello Festival, Christchurch, New Zealand

Orchestral Experience

2008- Los Angeles Jewish Symphony Orchestra (Substitute)
2009. Redlands Symphony Orchestra (Substitute)
2009 San Diego Symphony Orchestra (Substitute cellist)
2007 July International Moritzburg Festival, Germany (Principal Cellist)
2004 American Youth & Debut Symphony Orchestra (Assistant
Principal), Los Angeles, CA
2001-2004 Korean Symphony & Eurasian Philharmonic Orchestra
(Substitute), Seoul, South Korea
                              

Other Highlights

2013 Finalist for Assistant Professor position at Belmont University, Nashville, TN
2012 Married to a Chinese Cellist, Xian Zhuo (The First Prize Winner of
Dr. Luis Sigall International Competition, 2011)
2010 Accepted to International Society for Music Education World
Conference
2008 Jury for the Music Competition at Jewish Temple, Los Angeles, CA
2007 Russian Translator at Piatigorsky Cello Seminar
1985 Lived in Sudan, Africa
1988-1992, Lived in Moscow, Russia with Family. Father was a Diplomat.
1994-1998

Master Classes

Ralph Kirshbaum, Arto Noras, Ko Iwasaki, Karine Georgian, Natalia Gutman.

ster in-law learned piano, guitar and music theory with me. My late father in-law had a left leg amputation and was blind. We taped rice on the back of the guitar neck so he would have a tactile reference to his frets. It felt so good to bring a dream of his to life and to prove to naysayers that anyone can play, even if the challenges are far greater than average.
Within a year, I had enough referrals to fill 2 days of the week with students. I have held 3 recitals and plan on having a holiday recital this year.
I will never stop sharing music with others and look forward to meeting any new students granted via this platform.

ng piano regardless of whether the lessons are with me, or someone else. It doesn't hurt to give it a shot, you never know what you'll be capable of!