Vallejo Music Lessons

wledge of playing music to my students, always vigilant for sharing shortcuts that will help the student to achieve their lesson goals faster. Some teachers teach only out of books. I am not such a teacher. Books solve the problem of learning music in generalizations and by their very nature, cannot take into consideration personal issues a student will encounter.

Most students are able to learn enough of the necessary mechanics at the first lesson to actually play something before they leave that lesson. This is important because they realize that playing music IS possible. I always enjoy the look on their face when they realize they have actually “played” their instrument at their first lesson.

I am not the sort of teacher who yells and screams if the student comes in unprepared. I realize that people come to me for a variety of reasons and I work with them with whatever they bring in. I am patient and if a student is not understanding a certain aspect, I bring into play alternate approaches. Not everyone assimilates information in the same way. Learning music should be an enjoyable adventure for the student and I venture to say that my students enjoy coming to their lessons. We have fun, and we learn.

My current rates are $40 per half hour, $60 per 45 minutes and $80 per hour, and believe me... you will get your money's worth! Also I should note that due to my current students, plus teaching at a private school in Sausalito and recording sessions, my time constraints only allow me to teach lessons out of my home studio in Alameda. Hopefully this will work for you as well!

ler with the aid of the ideas and help of the teachers I have worked with in the past. Each lesson will begin with a warm up that address the student's specific needs. Once we address fundamental technique, we will apply these ideas to specific repertoire. This repertoire will be chosen by the student with my guidance, but students are welcome to bring Song, Opera, Oratorio, Jazz, and Broadway to any lesson.

Because of my extensive performing experience and education, I am also able to assist students with Italian, French, and German diction and translation. Music centers around communicating, and I am more than happy to help each student understand each word he or she sings. As we work towards performances, I can also assist with dramatic coachings using the techniques I learned at the Manhattan School of Music, Juilliard, and The Metropolitan Opera.

I am still an active performer, and I hope that my performing and teaching continue to positively affect one another. I have found that working on a multitude of styles from Opera to Jazz has helped me acclimate my voice to any situation, and I hope that my students find the same love and joy in singing as I have.

wright, to Jackson Browne. I have experience teaching both adults and children, and enjoy teaching beginning as well as intermediate to advanced students. In addition to teaching privately, I have experience teaching children through my volunteer work with The Girls Rock Alliance, a non-profit organization that aims to teach young girls about self-confidence and self-expression through music education.

*** Lesson Details ***
I am easy-going, friendly and I believe that developing a great student/teacher rapport is the key to making the most out of the time we spend together. The curriculum I utilize is specifically designed to meet the student's individual needs. Initially we'll spend time assessing where you are and where you'd like to be. Most importantly, we'll set goals and create a lesson plan that will allow you to attain them. We'll work on basic techniques (or intermediate to advanced depending on skill level), for example - breath support, vowel placement, posture, relaxation, the fundamentals of song structure and music theory. We'll also work on the psychology of performance and eliminating any unwanted tension that may arise. We'll choose songs to work on that you'll enjoy singing, or analyze the songs you love in order to discover and/or improve upon your own songwriting abilities.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Front music studio area w/ guitars, computer with protools, keyboard, microphone, pa system, and seating for parents

*** Travel Equipment ***
I can provide a small keyboard and/or guitar

*** Specialties ***
My main musical styles that I perform and teach are Pop, Rock, Folk, and Americana/Country. I specialize in creating a lesson plan that suits the needs of each individual student.

diverse career in music. From a full-time private music teacher to the Musical Director of a Burning Man Opera, to the Section Leader for a Youth Orchestra, to the keyboard player in a Theatrical Heavy Metal Band, Kat is always thrilled to stretch her wings and try new things.

*** Lesson Details ***

I teach Tuesdays and Wednesdays in San Francisco, and the rest of the week in the Santa Cruz area!

PLEASE NOTE - because I commute into SF to teach I do not offer in-home lessons. I teach at a lovely studio in the inner sunset!

I have a ridiculous sense of humor. I believe in stickers, high fives, and celebratory fist-bumps. And yes, that goes for the adults as well.

I always looked forward to my lessons because they were so fun, even if I knew I hadn't practiced enough. That is exactly what I try to create for every student I work with.

Besides the humor, I customize lesson plans to fit you. Not just the types of music you want to learn, but HOW you learn. My number one goal is that you completely understand what you are learning. I don't mind in the least if I need to explain a new lesson 10 different ways-€“ we will work together until you really get it! Understanding what you're doing makes it so much more fun.

Have a favorite song stuck in your head, but the sheet music is still too hard? No problem. I'm happy to write the song out for you at your own level. I want you to enjoy yourself, and if that means Lady GaGa then I'm happy to oblige. I will probably stick Mozart in when you're not looking just to make sure you're learning a lot of different things, but that's what teachers are for.

Of course we cover fundamentals and start with the basics. I typically incorporate music theory and ear training with your lessons as well . In 6 months on piano, with regular practice, you will be comfortably reading music and playing songs you enjoy with both hands AT THE SAME TIME! (Gasp!) On flute in 6 months you will also be able to read music comfortably, will no longer feel like you are about to drop the flute at any given moment, will have a solid range of notes and have a solid feeling of control while you play.

I look forward to sharing music with you!

*** Studio Equipment ***
piano, seating for parents

*** Specialties ***
My number one goal is comprehension -to make sure that all of my students really understand what they are doing. I work very hard to ensure an atmosphere where all of my students - no matter their age - can feel comfortable to say "I don't understand".

ch lesson. The latest educational DVD's and play-along/minus-drums CD's are also incorporated in the lessons.

Parents are encouraged to sit in on the lessons or they can relax or do some work in the internet ready waiting room. An annual recital is conducted for family and friends.

Prepare for school auditions, refine hand and foot technique, learn double bass grooves and fills improve reading and transcribing , sharpen your timing, incorporate linear playing, apply rudiments to the drum set.

Styles: Rock / Funk / Country / Blues / Jazz / Latin

*** Lesson Details ***
Sometimes the availability calendar is not updated in a timely manner.

Every student is different. Depending on their age and/or goals, this is the typical curriculum for a beginning (no experience) student.

Beginners (build the foundation)
Technique
- Hands: how to hold the sticks correctly
- Feet: heel up or heel down technique

Reading
- Explain note values
- Explain drum set notation

Coordination and Timing
- Learn basic beats to play music
- Understand how to practice with a metronome
- How to play along to music

*** Studio Equipment ***
Home room converted with sound absorbing materials with 2 drum sets, acoustic and electronic. Air conditioned living room seating for parents. Audio recordings are provided for every lesson and portions of each lesson are also video recorded.

ith their reasoning process for better practice (not only applied to cello).

I currently have both in-home lessons (+ a travel fee) and studio openings at the Syntonique Studios in SOMA. I offer 45 and 60 minute lessons to students of all ages. I offer scholarships for exceptional students and those that are in need as well.

Before lessons begin, a short interview process is required to take note of the student's musical background and goals / as well as the parents' needs. Please do not hesitate to reach out for any questions! Thank you, I cannot wait to work with you!

an, and released a 4 song EP “If You Were a Song”. Now, she has written hundreds of songs and performs her original music in the San Francisco area.

alled the "Music Of Life Seminar". This work originated out of my collaboration with cellist and Senior Lecturer in Public Leadership, Ronald A. Heifetz who is the co-founder of the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard University.

I've studied privately with world-class musicians, the likes of; Tuck Andress on guitar, Kit Walker on piano. Herb Pomeroy for arranging, Mike Gibbs for composition, Mick Goodrick on guitar (ECM recording artist), the legendary Lenny Breau on guitar, Kai Eckhardt on bass, and in my formative years, Jazz great Charlie Byrd, among others.

I have played key roles in public performances with such notables as; acclaimed actress and singer Jill Eikenberry, keyboardist Raphael of the ‘Music To Disappear in’ fame, Grammy Award winning pianist Laura Sullivan, new age singer Sophia, among others. I have also performed in notable venues on both the East and West coast such as the Angelico Hall and the Berklee Performance Center.

I have co-produced, with producer Wayne Wallace of Bon Vivant Productions (Machete' Ensemble and Pete Escovedo Orchestra), my own album of instrumental music through the label Delvian Records called “Motion” were I was joined by some top players from the music community.

“When my students experience a greater and more inclusive sense of humanity and of their own and others beauty, I am filled up with joy. Imparting the energy and feeling of music creation is a shared experience of freedom unlike anything else. This is why I have a passion for music and music education”.