Westlake Village, CA Songwriting Lessons

ls with famous stars and some really great bands which will help me answer many of your questions. I am currently still working, teaching and recording all the time. I also have a professional recording studio in my home which you can take full advantage of.

*** Lesson Details ***
I want you to have fun learning and can help you with understanding and memorizing your songs.
I focus on sight-reading, ear training (like jamming and playing blues) and theory. You get to choose the areas you would like to learn.
Once we have established the basics including melody and chords, we will pick songs you want to learn to play with your friends or just by yourself. We can use music books or go on YouTube to learn your songs.
I have helped students with auditions as well as performances. After only a few lessons you will hear and see things differently than ever before.

*** Studio Equipment ***
My studio comes complete with acoustic and electric keyboards, acoustic and electric guitars, electric bass and amps to play through, as well as professional microphones for recording. I use ProTools for recording which is used in every major studio around the world and it's loaded with great software for demos or mastering songs.

*** Specialties ***
I teach beginner, intermediate and advanced students.
I teach all styles of music including Classical, Jazz, and Rock/Pop/Blues.
I also teach songwriting, performing and recording in my ProTools studio.

earning style and I try my best to cater my lessons around each student's individual needs and goals. I was fortunate enough to grow up in an incredibly musical household. My dad toured with Bryan Adams as his guitarist and my mom’s worked with heavy weights such as David Foster as a professional vocalist. I was mentored by some of the best in the music business since childhood. I started learning piano at the age of four and started recording vocals for radio commercials at the age of six. The experience I've acquired over the years from recording in world class studios and touring internationally I believe has given me invaluable insight to impart with my students. I’m very passionate about teaching. Whether you want to learn how to play your favorite song on the piano or polish your vocal skills to sing professionally on a big stage in front of a large crowd, I’m your gal!

*** Lesson Details ***
I understand that starting lessons can feel a bit scary and outside of ones comfort zone. It takes courage to try something new! I take pride in creating a fun, stress free learning environment, as I know it's incredibly important. I like to encourage having the best of both worlds when it comes to learning voice and piano. That means introducing some sight-reading as well as how to play freestyle, or without sheet music. What to expect upon your first lesson would be an easygoing assessment as well as something to take home and practice. I want to find out what your music tastes and background are and your personal goals, what you would like to get out of lessons. I tailor lessons around each student and their personal learning style.
Piano students: The following is an example of what students can expect to learn, proper technique, sight reading, chords and popular song progressions, how to develop a piece of music, rhythmic training, ear training, how to play their favorite song(s). I use a combo of music books, Alfred Series, Bastien and Dozen a Day for technique and finger exercises as well write out music for students too on the song they would like to learn. I make a list of songs you would like to learn and also suggest some too that I think you would like and can also further develop your piano playing skills.

Voice Lessons: I’m a firm believer that we can learn a lot from hearing ourselves back on recordings. We are our own toughest critic. Recording ourselves singing helps us hear where our strengths and weaknesses are. It might seem a little uncomfortable at first listening back, I know! However, it offers fresh perspective for us to able to take our voices to the next level. I record using an app on my iPhone or iPad and encourage my students to record as well. If they do not have a recording device I email the recording to them to study along with the notes and exercises they are given to work on. This enables the students to witness their personal progress from lesson to lesson! It’s a great learning tool!
The following is an example of what voice students can expect to learn: proper breathing techniques, how improve tone and extend their range, how to develop agility, pop riffs, and dynamic control, how to prepare for auditions, live shows and studio recording and much more!

What I expect from my students: To come to lessons with an open mind, a readiness to learn, to try new things and to apply what they learn each lesson to continue making weekly steady progress ☺ We only get out of something what we put into it right?

I like to be as flexible as possible, I understand that often times students have many other things going on in their lives whether it be sports, school or work etc. We go at a pace you feel comfortable with but enough where you feel you are getting a bit of a challenge each week to be growing. Let’s make some beautiful music together!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Yamaha Mox8 (88 weighted keys). Acoustic Guitar, Sound System, Allen & Heath Mixing board, SM58 Mic, Mic Stand, Music Stand, Shecter Electric Guitar, Pro Tools 9, Duet Apogee

*** Travel Equipment ***
I expect my student to provide a keyboard at least 77-88keys or piano. i can provide a powered speaker, sm58 mic, mic stand for practicing voice and performance.

*** Specialties ***
Pop, Rock, Blues, Jazz, R&B, Classical

ialties ***
I specialize in jazz improvisation on piano and guitar.
I also teach recreational guitar and piano for adults, including classical and blues styles.
I coach bass players and drummers in playing stylistically correct grooves for jazz, rock and latin music.

r creativity.

Backed by an extensive musical background debuting with the Philadelphia Orchestra and continuing her career singing with Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic, Jan L. went on to receive a Bachelor’s of Education in Opera at Temple University and two Master’s Degrees from Combs College of Music in Theatre Arts and Composition.

Jan is the author of the performance book called "Once More With Feeling."

There is exciting news with Jan. Jan has been teaching online on Zoom.us. It's like Skype but better because you can record the whole lesson. For those of you who want a world class teacher, you can learn from Jan who has 20 Grammy winners. No driving, Just sit yourself in front of your computer screen. You will love the intimacy without leaving your home. Give it a try.

Jan teaches vocal technique that connects the chest middle head voice with a gospel belt. Jan covers proper breathing, vocal technique, performance coaching and recording in her protools studio.

"Jan L. is an award winning songwriter, producer, actress, and artist developer. Her studio, Angel Diva Music, is designed to improve artist abilities on and off the stage as well as giving the clientele first-hand knowledge of the industry while increasing their creativity."

Writer of performance book called "Once More With Feeling:

industry working with top tier performers such as Chaka Khan, The Black Eyed Peas, Montell Jordan and Babyface to name a few. Accompanying her is a staff of accomplished performers and teachers who have credits throughout the entertainment industry. At the WHAA, her performing arts academy, she offers a conservatory-level curriculum focusing on the fundamental skills of technique, composition, artistry and performance in music, dance, drama and visual arts.

*** Lesson Details ***
I am a very fun loving person and believe in creating a positive environment where students feel comfortable to be themselves. At the same time I am a stickler for details and do not allow laziness. I believe a balance of fun with excellence has allowed my students to excel far beyond their own expectations. Good results takes HARD WORK! Please do not come to lessons with the expectation to sing like Beyoncé or play piano at Carnegie Hall after 4 lessons. Mastering your voice and instrument takes equal parts of time, hard work, dedication and patience.

My teaching style is individually based.
For vocal clients, I asses their strengths and weaknesses and develop a plan to build up their weak areas while helping them find "their own voice". I focus on breathing, intonation and control which I believe are the foundation of great singing ability. I use a classical Italian based program along with pop, R&B, jazz, and rock. I have vocal coached in many languages including Spanish, Japanese and Chinese.

For piano clients I focus on strength, dexterity and precision in fingering. I also help students learn to feel the music and bring their personality and touch to each piece they are performing.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Tanisha currently teaches at her performing arts academy the White H Arts Academy. There are private instruction rooms and a lobby waiting area for parents and guests. Parents may also sit in the lesson room if desired. Private lesson rooms include a piano, speakers, and a music stand.

The White H Arts Academy also has two state of the art mirrored dance rooms with sound systems and wireless microphones for practicing stage performances or rehearsing for a big show.

*** Specialties ***
Vocals: beg to adv
Piano: beg to inter

Vocal genres are classical (opera), pop, R&B, gospel, rock, jazz, blues and musical theater. I studied voice at Berklee College of Music. Have also studied Seth Riggs SLS (Speech Level Singing) method independently, however, I am not certified. I also teach in languages other than English including Spanish, Japanese and Chinese.

Piano instruction levels I teach are basic to intermediary focusing on classical, and general accompaniment abilities.

nt, based on their age, personality, natural ability and commitment to practicing. I want the students to be inspired to practice, but never through intimidation.

It's important to me that a student has no holes in their playing. I tend to zero in on any weak points and find engaging ways to help students to improve in those areas.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Finished garage recording studio w/ baby grand and seating for parents

*** Travel Equipment ***
For piano lessons i expect the student to have a working keyboard or piano. I will supply the course curriculum.

*** Specialties ***
I work well with Jazz, popular music and electronic music and recording technology.

e. There I kept studying vocal technique, solfege, classical guitar and music harmony.
I moved to LA 11 years ago and attended Musician's Institute earning a diploma in Vocal Studies and Vocal Performance and then I attended a Composition & Songwriting Program at UCLA for 2 years. I refined my vocal technique studying at Berkley College of Music for a summertime in a special program for Jazz Vocalists and I have been an Alexander Technique's student for now 10+ years.
I am a performing artist, I sing and teach privately for a living and, on the side, I help an Opera Touring company promote their tours. I have performed all over the country in some beautiful venues such as the Getty Center and Pantages Theater to name a few. Guitar is my second instrument but I accompany students with my piano during vocal exercises. My personal style of singing is modern, not operatic, I love many kinds of music but especially pop, jazz, and musical theater.

***Lessons Details***

**Singing: Teaching Adults**
There are two sides of singing that I like to work on with my students.
The first is vocal technique, which is first and foremost the study of how to use our instrument, our whole body, in the best and most useful way to avoid strain ad create beautiful sounds. I believe that when we relax and use the right posture, meaning the most natural one, then our bodies and our breathing mechanisms act as they are supposed to, and singing magically happens at its best. When we learn to use our bodies without strain, the right "singing" muscles are automatically engaged and exercised and we feel at ease. So I try to encourage a non-forceful way to use diaphragmatic breathing, which I have learned by studying Alexander Technique, which is a technique that teaches people how to stop using unnecessary levels of muscular and mental tension during any activity, especially during an artistic performance of any kind.
I try to notice bad singing habits the student may have formed throughout his/her life, (hopefully none!), and gently help them correct them. The vocal exercises I use are drawn from the Bel Canto tradition, a classical tradition, but I mix them with more modern vocal exercises to develop popular techniques like "belting" for example.
The second side of singing is simply to pay attention to song interpretation, to convey the message we would like to convey. I encourage the student to choose songs to work on they truly love, and I welcome any style of music. I give the students vocal exercises CDs to help them practice at home.

**Singing: Teaching Children**
What I described above is also true for teaching children, however I like to teach them "by ear" with simple vocal exercises and vocal games at the beginning of the lesson and try to ease them into the sound they naturally make. I like to create a positive environment in which the student can feel successful about even small achievements, whether it is standing in a relaxed way or having practiced the beginning of an exercise or part of a song. To help the student practice at home and keep the motivation alive without feeling overwhelmed I record each lesson (or let them record it) and give them the accompaniment for the song of their choice so they can have fun at home.

*** GUITAR ***
I teach young children using fun songs, games and classical guitar technique. I also teach adults and specialize in contemporary guitar. I welcome many styles of music, pop, rock as well as folk genres of Latin America. I emphasize good posture, tone and musicality, and always a high level of enjoyment with the process!

*** RECITALS ***
I plan and host 2 wonderful Recitals a year, one in January and one in June. I encourage all my students to participate, no matter how they may feel about their instrument level and preparation. Working towards a performance is one of the most effective ways to solidify your ever growing skill!

*** Studio Equipment ***
For students who come to my home studio, there is private guest parking right outside my building, in a gated complex of buildings and in a safe neighborhood just north of the 101. My studio is conveniently located just a few blocks from the freeway entrance. I have a comfortable sofa for parents and siblings to attend the lessons and a keyboard to use for accompaniment. Also, I periodically offer my students the chance to record one song in my studio, equipped with nice microphones and a professional recording system.

*** Travel Equipment ***
For singing lessons I bring my small and light master-keyboard and laptop or I can use the student piano/keyboard. For children's lesson I ask my students to bring a notebook to keep track of practice assignments.

*** Specialties ***
Music theory and Songwriting. Stage performance and how to feel comfortable on stage. Additionally I teach vocal jazz improvisation, Broadway singing and Italian song repertoire.