Banjo with Jess M.

*Disclaimer* I'm currently not taking beginner students for bass, drums, piano, and ukulele or children under 10 years old. I highly recommend my studio partner Melissa though. Please check out her profile: https://takelessons.com/profile/melissa-m62 My Background I've been playing with classical ensembles and rock bands since 2001. Even though I started on classical trombone and rock guitar, I have come to expand my repertoire to a variety of instruments and genres. During my time in college I performed with the University choir, orchestra, and band. I also have organized, wrote/arranged for, and performed with a variety of bands in my home state of New Mexico, as well as Japan, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Since 2006 I have been an active teacher. This profession has taken me everywhere from working with classical guitar classes in New Mexico high schools to Elementary students in Japan to a variety of private students of various musical instruments and genres everywhere I've been. Since relocating to the Bay Area in 2010, I've had the pleasure of working with lots of great students from kids to adults with a wide range of ambitions. Since 2012 I've been running my own full time studio. Philosophy of Learning Lessons are generally designed to work towards giving students the tools to accomplish their goals and become increasingly independent over time. While all students will study similar fundamentals regarding technique, theory, and performance, every lesson is as different as every person. What kind of music do you want to make? I'll tell you what you need to do to get there, and help you take the steps to achieve your aspirations. It's really important to know though that everyone makes their own experience. The process of learning music involves you learning as much about your own mind and body as it does any external concepts, so please keep in mind only you can move yourself forward. I also love to help students put together a song, record, and produce it for them so that they can have a recording to share with their friends and family. I also hold events for my students. (Check out our pictures and videos below!) Younger students have opportunities to perform for friends and family at my studio every few months. Adult students also occasionally have events where they get a chance to get together and play music as well. Aside from in-studio lessons, students also have the option to sign up for online lessons via Zoom or the TakeLessons Classroom feature. (*Online lessons offered during different times than in-studio lessons.) *Unfortunately due to scheduling issues, I'm not currently accepting students for bi-weekly lessons. I can do regular weekly lessons, or occasional drop-in lessons, but bi-weekly appointments make it really hard for me to give the best scheduled times to my existing weekly students. I'm sorry for the inconvenience. My studio is equipped with: *Music Stands *A P.A. System *Vocal and instrument microphones *Guitars, Basses, Ukulele, Banjos, etc *Two guitar amps and a bass amp *Various percussion including a fully equipped acoustic drum set *An electric piano console and Yamaha organ *A MicroKorg Synthesizer *A Tuba, Trombone, Cornet, Saxophone, and Flute *An extensive physical and virtual music library *A recording system that students are not only welcome to use but encouraged to *HD Webcam and condenser microphone for high fidelity online lessons via Zoom