Santa Ysabel Music Lessons

erforming professionally since 1994.

*** Lesson Details ***
Each lesson is custom made to directly benefit each student. The music the student enjoys listening to, is explored to identify what skills are needed to play that music on their instrument. Exercises are then tailored to give students the finger strength and dexterity to directly attain those needed skills.

Favorite songs are also examined to understand the musical theory concepts that were used to create those songs. Once those concepts are understood there is no stopping the student from creating their own music.

Parents and guardians are more than welcome to be part of the process. Involving parents in their children's education is my pleasure. My studio has a comfortable waiting area where you can wait until the lesson is done. Questions are always appreciated.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Two chairs, music, computer, internet, digital recording equipment, guitar, guitar amps, parents can sit in on lesson, bass, ukulele.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide whatever is necessary. Student should provide their instrument, music stand, and two chairs. Access to electrical outlet not mandatory.

*** Specialties ***
Latin, Rock, Blues, Classical

.

I have three educations:
1) PhD in Musicology,
2) Master in Music Education and
3) Bachelor in Electrical Engineering.

I have about 20 years teaching experience and I am a California Certified Music Teacher

I speak english, german, swedish and farsi and love to work with people of all ages.

I teach:
1) Guitar
2) Piano/Keyboard
3) Drums
4) Singing
5) Bass Guitar
6) Music Theory
7) Violoncello

Welcome to My Lessons

*** Specialties ***
Classical, Pop, Rock

Iron and Wine, The Milk Carton Kids, Simon and Garfunkel, M.Ward, Of Monsters & Men, Nick Drake, Elliot Smith, Ray LaMontagne, The Mountain Goats, .. I'm just realizing that could go on for a long time so I'll pause there.

I also I stay up to speed on most contemporary artists for the sake of my students. I regularly teach songs current pop artists in the interest of maintaining student engagement.

I do have a real passion for Classical Guitar music. There are few things that give me more joy than playing classical guitar. I love any opportunity to share that with someone eager to learn. I prefer to start from scratch with classical guitar students but will work with more advanced students when requested.

*** Lesson Details ***
In my lessons I like to start by reviewing what has been learned in the previous lesson, making sure to address any concerns before teaching anything new. To ensure the student is truly learning and maintaining what I teach during our lessons we will do some short musical exercises which apply to that week's lesson, as well as some musical repertoire that reinforces the new principles taught in that lesson. I feel that correct repetitive practice of these exercises and music will ensure happiness with your progression as a musician. I do my best to learn the musical interests of my students and to personalize each lesson/assignment so that they remain engaged and excited.

*** Studio Equipment ***
I have small studio space connected to my family room with a Piano and my guitars/amps (and any other instruments my wife and I have collected over the years). Parents can sit in studio or relax in the family room during lessons. It's a nice quiet suburban area and there's plenty of parking.

IMPORTANT: For those with serious pet allergies, I do have friendly pets and, although they stay out of the room for my lessons, they may irritate your allergies.

s and princes, Francesca has high expectations and is skilled in helping her students reach their goals.

Now performing in the Donald Brinager Singers, a studio choir for-hire, Francesca can often be seen performing with orchestras throughout Southern California. While mentoring through her award-winning teaching studio, Francesca also manages to perform several showcases featuring her original music with her amazing back-up ensemble.

With a constant effort to maintain a professional studio learning environment and with a focus on reading skills and solid technique, Francesca's students enjoy lessons packed with information and light-heartedness. The one on one experience you will have the moment you walk thru the door promises to be unmatched. Francesca's students can be seen on major television networks, radio stations and performing around town in various projects. With a passion to give back, Francesca reserves a small number of spots in her schedule for the youngsters and seniors of her community. She teaches beginning through advanced guitar, piano, and voice.

*** Lesson Details ***
Voice and Instrument Coaching

~Develop skills and techniques for top notch practice and performance
~Study theory, composition, ear training, arranging, improvisation
~Discover music technology and performance techniques
~Study melody, harmony, song form and lyric writing

Artist Development

~Voice and Instrument Coaching
~Song Writing and Selection
~Demo Recording
~Image / Art / Photography Consulting
~Finding your signature sound and style
~Live Performance 101
~Branding / Career Planning and Strategy
~Song Analysis and Consulting
~Booking gigs

A Note From Francesca:

My official bio is listed below, but perhaps more important than the things I have done are the things that I am doing. I am now approaching my 15th year of teaching. I love to teach! I carry a minimum of 30 students, but have carried more then 80 at one time, and have never once complained. My waiting list cycles based on my performance schedule and recording schedule. If you don't see a time that works for you, feel free to reach out and see if we can find something that works, as an artist, my schedule can be quite full but also quite flexible. I love my students, I get to do what I love all day and I am sure it shows. I have a blast discovering new ways to experience music with "my kids." I call all of my students kids even though most of my studio consists of young adults. I try to have a young air in my classes at all times as it just makes the process so much more fun for everyone.

I've seen it all in through years: kids, adults, beginners and advanced students. I am personally very interested in being the most versatile musician possible and I love being able to share my knowledge with my students. We can study anything and everything from Classical Guitar to Electric Guitar Shredding; from Opera to Kelly Clarkson; from Tchaikovsky to Little Richard! I love getting students to dabble in little bits of all genres, often getting even the most skeptical student singing and playing comfortably in a matter of just a few weeks. My students will be able to read music for their favorite tunes and understand how to improvise from the start. Once you come in, you'll be hooked. You will have fun because I am having fun!

I encourage all of my students to share their favorite music with me. It affords me the opportunity to learn more about what they desire to learn and what types of music they enjoy. We will learn with your music often. After all, isn't that why you are coming to see me? I will introduce you to new sounds and styles, but will foster your love for music, and do my best to never force my music on students. I feel I learn as much from my students when I truly listen to them and their music as they do from me.

On site lessons are available for artists recording demos, rehearsing bands and setting up their own studios.

On a side note, I love seeing students at my shows! I am a full time musician and can be seen playing with my band, in my own solo project and in various choral settings. Check out my website and see what I do outside of the classroom. My students get a kick out of the idea that they can buy a CD with their teachers face on it, and to be honest, so do I. Many of my students have their own music out on iTunes and YouTube. Many more can be seen performing around town in solo projects and professional ensembles.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Pianos, Guitars, Basses, Amps, Computer, Monitors, Music, Recording Software, Drum Kit, Studio and Performance Mics, everything we need! Its like Disneyland for musicians!

*** Travel Equipment ***
Varies

*** Specialties ***
Francesca on Artist Development:

I feel obligated to share my joys and experiences-

Not many people have been blessed to sing alongside as many renowned musicians as I have - I've been lucky to be welcomed in both the commercial and classical worlds and they have both afforded me venues to use my voice and express the most vital corners of my soul. To find your purpose through art is one of the greatest gifts you can receive. And to be able to do that in front of thousands of music lovers live or over the airwaves is a surreal experience.

It'€™s funny, my classical cronies are impressed to hear my stories of packed rock gigs at the House Blues and national touring festivals like Warped Tour and my rock buddies ask to hear my stories of Disney Hall performances with the LA Phil. To be honest, Iâ'm impressed to be there too. Sometimes, I look around and think, how did I get here? How did I get lucky enough to live the dream, to find a home in music?

I've been luckier than most. I've had GREAT mentors who have always pushed me forward and shared their wisdom freely with me. Part of the classical musician's central goal is to educate. That'€™s a value I carry into my rock projects and production studio. Work smarter, not harder. Take the needed skills, create art, teach others how to do the same thing, move forward together to live happier, more productive lives filled with purpose.

I have come to be known as one of the top Musical Mentors & Artist Development Experts on the west coast. A behind the scenes- diva of dream building with the skills to push artists to the next level- the ace up the sleeve of many of today working talents. In my award winning studio, I spend time coaching the young voices and faces of today hottest TV shows seen on ABC, Nickelodeon, and the Disney Channel, but I still have a soft spot for up and comers in the indie music world. Having written and performed my own music for decades, I not only lived the collegiate experience of the elite classical performer singing for presidents and world leaders, but also the dingy road of the rock musician who'€™s showed one night to a packed stadium full of fans and showed up another, thousands of miles from home to play to a coffee shop of 5 people. Music has brought me to nearly every continent and introduced me to some of the most talented and diverse people you can imagine. I feel compelled to share these experiences with those around me so that they my develop the vision, the salt and the skills to persevere.

I am, above all, an artist & creator- living the dream, helping people- like you find their voice and write their songs. Turning raw emotion into art.

Each one of us has a story, our truth. Being an artist is about finding ourselves, our song and expressing it publicly so that we may heal, so that we may grow.

It doesn't take a ton of experience to write a hit song. It doesn't take a fancy education or a family line of talent (though it can help). We can all find our voice, our place in the spotlight, what it takes is the courage to take the next step forward.

You've already had the genius to be in the right place at the right time. Here. If you've made it this far, chances are you are smart enough, hungry enough and ready to take the plunge.

Inside my studio you will find the help you seek. I can impart you with proven techniques to strengthen your sound, develop your tone through strong technique, develop strategies to share your art and develop a plan to turn pipe dreams into reality. Some desire to sing on the worlds brightest stages, others strive to lead others through teaching themselves, and some wish for nothing more than to experience music in a confident manner among friends. All can be lead on this personal journey of the artistic soul and all can make their offering to the musical gods. There is a place at the table for anyone seeking an answer.

nd/or music and bring your abilities to a level that is more knowledgeable, adequately refined, near to perfection and professional over time, and definitely enjoyable.

My Biography:
I started at the age of 5 with the desire to perform and entertain. With the drive of a freestyle & street dancer, I emulated Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly and Michael Jackson as a few of my dance inspirations. I also grew up driven into the background of piano, having trained in various methods such as Alfred, Bastien, Faber, Carr-Glover & Glover, Thompson and Schuam, expanding my knowledge and range as a pianist of 25 years.

In Los Angeles, I was determined to make dance my professional career and earned my Baccalaureate in Dance at California State University, Los Angeles. I learned alongside notable and popular mentors and instructors, training in modern, hip hop, breaking, popping, locking, house, tap, jazz and ballet. I choreographed for weddings, birthdays, within multiple shows, as well as became an advanced member of Cal State LA Jazz Tap Corps and the campus' hip hop crew, Team Flight.

Under much dedication for my professional career, my experiences exponentially grew after college as the Dance Choreographer & Director for Crenshaw Arts/Tech Charter High School's dance troupe, CATCH Kids, a troupe renowned for being featured on the Tyra Banks Show and catching the eyes of a few known performers such as Tommy The Clown, Debbie Allen, and Janet Jackson. I was a Dance Instructor in various studios such as the American Vive Dance Foundation, King's Dance Center, Expressions Dance and Movement Center, and Kruciaal Element's The Dancehouse. I worked with Kruciaal Element Dance Company as the previous Assistant Director and part of their freestyle dance crew, Stylematix, and performed in shows and events across San Diego County and Los Angeles County, including Monster Bash San Diego, Mardi Gras in The Gaslamp District, Dancescape, The Hot Spot Alhambra and The Moxie Showcase.

My current disciplines are focused and centered around Southern California as the CEO & Director of a Dance Company. I aim at providing a unique family of dancers and training musicians to be at their best. I am working on several upcoming pieces and providing a dance company that integrates dance community and dance industry knowledge, with a side of the 3 Heart-"Be3ts". Additionally, I have extensive knowledge and experience in Filipino traditional dance, ballroom, social and line dancing, as well as a background in stage management, set design, and vocal training. My personal goals are to continue to express my passions, develop my talents, and especially motivate others to find their own true inner self, dancer, choreographer, musician, performer, entertainer and/or artist.

PLEASE NOTE:
For a more accurate look into my experience and resume, please refer to my profile. Also, any advanced, duet, group, weddings, birthdays, or any special occasion will differ than the usual lesson rate.

*** Lesson Details ***
DANCE LESSONS:
At the instructor's HQ site, we have an amazing speaker system, wood laminate floors, and surrounding mirrors!
All lessons are provided via movement.

I will provide a speaker system and the dance lessons for On-Site (Traveling) Lessons.
It is necessary to provide at least an 8 foot by 8 foot clearance of open space and a floor of concrete, wood, vinyl or laminate flooring.
If open space is away from an outlet, please provide an extension cord.

Dancer must have ready the following for class:
- Towel
- Water
- Comfortable Clothing
- Appropriate Shoes:
----For Tap Dance Classes: Hard-Soled Shoes are recommended for Concrete and Vinyl (outside) flooring.
----For Wood and Laminate flooring: Please make sure all screw-in taps (not bolted) are in the toe and heel of taps on Tap Shoes.

[Dance shoes and outfits are not included in cost of lessons; however, I will recommend places to buy these items.]

PLEASE NOTE:
For a more accurate look into my experience and resume, please refer to my profile. Also, any advanced, duet, group, weddings, birthdays, or any special occasion will differ than the usual lesson rate.

PIANO LESSONS:
At the instructor's In-Studio site, we have a Full 88-Key Digital Piano, Upright Piano and Baby Grand Piano for all piano lessons!
I will provide the piano.

I WILL NOT have a digital piano provided for On-Site (Travel) Lessons. Please have an upright, grand or digital piano ready (76 keys or more is ok; a Full 88-key Keyboard or Piano is recommended).

For Advanced Piano Lessons: A Full 88-key Keyboard or Piano is required.

[Piano books, notebooks and supplementary materials are not included in cost of lessons; however, I will recommend places to buy these items.]

PLEASE NOTE:
For a more accurate look into my experience and resume, please refer to my profile. Also, any advanced, duet, group, weddings, birthdays, or any special occasion will differ than the usual lesson rate.

*** Specialties ***
Dance:
Hip Hop, Breaking, Popping, Locking, Whacking, House, Bebop Tap, Contemporary, Modern, Jazz and Ballet.
Over 15 years of experience and training.
Taught various dance genres officially since 2005.

Piano:
Classical Pianist for over 30 years.
Taught Piano for over 15 years.

PLEASE NOTE:
For a more accurate look into my experience and resume, please refer to my profile. Also, any advanced, duet, group, weddings, birthdays, or any special occasion will differ than the usual lesson rate.

led with one-on-one, ‘old world’ style lessons from flamenco masters gives him a great foundation for teaching.

t violin performer at Fadjr International Music Festival for seven years.
Shahrzad also has experience in performing for theater shows at Tehran Shahr theater.
Shahrzad started teaching music in 2007.
She quickly became favorite among all students because of her teaching style and passion she was sharing with her students.

Teaching Style

My method is to start with Suzuki books but not before focusing on making a correct posture and producing a good tone.
teaching and working techniques,etudes and scales can sometimes be boring for the beginner students therefore I teach some small folks and easy concertos to encourage them more.

The books I work with my students are:
Suzuki method books
Wolfart,Kayser,Kruetzer,Rode
Cevcik method books
Mazas method books
Scales and arpeggio exercises

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.