Kapolei, HI Piano Lessons

een a member of the Music of Oz Studio staff in Crown Point, Indiana since Jan. 2011 and is looking forward to teaching out of her home now as well. Chrissy is crazy about all her students and wants them to succeed! She's very much looking forward to working with you and having buckets of fun! :-)

d with a real sense of confidence in their musicianship. Plus they have a lot of fun as they make musical progress!

Gfire is also an award-winning singer-songwriter and "Yoga for the Voice" innovator. She has released 4 CDs of all-original music and is currently working on her 5th CD, to be released in 2015.

As a teacher, Gfire works with students of all levels and all areas of interest. In October 2007, Gfire became the only vocal teacher in the Western Hemisphere to gain full certification in the Science of Singing, developed by Ernest G. White of London, England. Her unique voice training program, entitled "Yoga for the Voice," combines this knowledge of the Science of Singing with ancient yoga breathing techniques. This technique allows each voice student to develop a "vocal tune-up" for the voice AND to discover what the natural singing range is and how to use the voice as effectively as possible. With the internet SKYPE technology, Gfire teaches voice students all over the world, from Switzerland to the U.K. to New Zealand to New York.

Her vocal students have sung in touring rock bands, on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry, in successful auditions, in karaoke clubs, in coffee houses and folk clubs, at weddings and for their own enjoyment amongst family and friends. Whatever level of singing training you wish to acquire, she will show you the way to achieve it!

Gfire was also the main voice instructor and one of 3 main piano teachers at the Austin branch of Mars Music (now defunct) for 3 1/2 years. In addition to her vocal study and innovation, she has studied piano with top classical and jazz pianists, studied songwriting with Pat Pattison of Berklee College in Boston, gotten her full yoga teaching certification in 2004 and DJ'd at clubs and parties worldwide. For eight years straight - 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 - she has won the prestigious ASCAPlus Award for professional songwriting.

As a singer-songwriter, Gfire continues to write, record and perform with some of the best musicians and engineers in the world, including engineer Stuart Sullivan (Willie Nelson, Sublime, Meat Puppets, etc.), Hammond organ player Ian McLagen (Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart), cellist John Hagen (Lyle Lovett), fiddle/mandolin player Warren Hood (The Waybacks), bassist George Reiff (Ray Wylie Hubbard) and banjo picker Danny Barnes (Bad Livers, Dave Matthews).

Gfire's original songs have been played on over 200 radio and television stations worldwide. She has toured in over half of the fifty states, plus the U.K. and Canada.

*** Lesson Details ***
NEW - Gfire is now available to teach WORLDWIDE via SKYPE or FaceTime - so you can have a music lesson in the privacy of your own home!!

Voice lessons - I have created a unique and wonderful vocal method, "Yoga for the Voice," which combines ancient yoga breathing exercises with special vocal exercises to give you a "complete vocal tune-up." These techniques are simple, effective and easily-learned by any student of the voice, from about age 5-105. I love to help you learn to apply these wonderful techniques to learning the songs you wish to learn - whether they are pop, r 'n' b, folk, singer-songwriter, rock, country, opera, musical theater, jazz, etc. "Yoga for the Voice" is just as effective for professional speakers, such as teachers, lawyers, clergymen or actors - we just use a range of notes that is smaller than a singer's range, and we focus on using your speaking voice as effectively and efficiently as possible.

In 3-6 months, you will be able to:

1. master the "breath of fire" and "one-minute breath" - the BEST yoga breaths for singers!
2. master the "sinus humming exercises" - identifying where EACH note in your range originates in your own head
3. master the "full-body exercises" - traditional singing exercises on "mah, mee, moh, moo, meh" - so that you can move easily between your chest voice, middle voice, and head voice
4. master 2-10 songs or more, depending on your level and the level of difficulty of each song - being able to sing each song in TUNE, with feeling, and having a blast doing it!!
5. if you wish, you can perform your song(s) at one of my voice and piano recitals - on a REAL Austin stage!!

Piano lessons - I teach a wide range of piano styles at levels from beginner to early advanced, beginning around age 5. Whether you want to learn classical, rock, blues, country, boogie-woogie, or other styles of piano and keyboard playing, I will sculpt your lesson plan so that you have a great foundation in technique AND you learn the styles and songs you wish to play.

In 3-6 months, you will be able to:

1. master the Leschetizky, hand massage, and isometric warm-up exercises - the BEST piano warm-ups!
2. depending on your level, master Hanon exercises 1-12, major and minor scales, major and minor arpeggios
3. for beginners, you will be able to play with BOTH hands on the treble and bass clefs - at the same time!!
4. master the I-IV-V progression in 3-12 keys, depending on your level - so that you can play blues, rock, country, boogie-woogie, and ragtime songs!!
5. master 4-20 songs or more, depending on your level and the level of difficulty of each song (classical songs tend to take more time to master) - being able to play each song with great technique, with feeling, and having a blast doing it!!
6. if you wish, you can perform your song(s) at one of my voice and piano recitals - on a REAL Austin stage!!

Songwriting lessons - I will teach you how to create a great song, in the style you wish to write in. Country songs, pop songs, rock tunes, r'n' b, folk, etc. - all of these genres have "unwritten rules" about how to put together an effective song. We will utilize special songwriting exercises and tools to help you learn to be a wonderful songwriter.

DJ lessons - I teach beat matching, turntable fine-tuning and repertoire selection to help you become the DJ you aspire to be. I own crates and crates of vinyl records and CDs, and I have DJ'd all over the world to enthusiastic crowds, so I can teach you to attain a real joy and skill in the art of turntablism.

Yoga lessons - I am a fully KRI-certified yoga teacher and I can help you develop a valuable yoga routine to help you achieve your health and relaxation goals. We will choose from literally hundreds of exercises and breathing techniques specifically geared to your needs and wants.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Pro Tools mBox PRO Full Recording Studio
Yamaha U1 Upright Piano
Shure SM 58 Microphone
Shure SM 57 Microphone
Korg microKorg Synthesizer
Yamaha M06 Synthesizer
Yamaha StagePas 300 PA System
Neumann TLM 103 Microphone
Neumann KMS 105 Microphone
Nord Lead Synthesizer
Taylor Acoustic Guitar
West African Djembe
MacBook Pro Computer
Universal Audio LA-610 Pre-amp
2 Technics 1200 Professional DJ Turntables
American DJ Pro-Scratch 1 Professional CDJ
Rane MP22 DJ Mixer
Mogami Professional Audio Cables

*** Travel Equipment ***
Yamaha M06 Synthesizer
Yamaha StagePas 300 PA System
Neumann KMS 105 Microphone
Macintosh Laptop Computer

*** Specialties ***
music, singing, piano, songwriting, DJ'ing, yoga, folk guitar

I have developed "Yoga for the Voice" - a combination of my 18 years of studying and receiving certification in the "Science of Singing" (as taught by Ernest George White of London, England) and my 10 years experience and certification in yoga, specifically ancient yoga breathing techniques. I will work with voice students as young as 4 and as old as they want to go! Voice lessons span all styles and all levels - pop, rock, r 'n' b, country, folk, singer-songwriter, opera, classical, musical theater, etc. from beginner to advanced. Generally beginning around age 7.

Piano - levels beginner to early advanced, most styles, including classical, rock, pop, folk, country, singer-songwriter, blues and boogie-woogie. Generally beginning around age 5.

Songwriting - all popular styles, including rock, pop, folk, country, blues, singer-songwriter, r 'n' b, etc.

DJ'ing - all basic DJ methods, including beat matching, turntable basics and repertoire selection.

Yoga - yoga breathing AND physical exercises, depending on the needs and wants of the student.

Folk guitar - finger picking and accompaniment skills for folk singers.

In piano, I specialize in teaching students who want to play a wide variety of music - classical, pop, rock, country, blues, etc. I begin with piano students who are 5 years of age and older, as long as they have the requisite attention span.

In songwriting, I specialize in teaching students methods of developing popular songs - pop, r 'n' b, country, rock, folk, etc.

In DJ'ing, I specialize in basic beatmatching and repertoire selection.

And in yoga, I specialize in tailoring the yogic needs of the student - whether she/he wishes to work on stretching, breathing, abdominal strengthening, etc.

veled to China as the concertmaster of KSU Symphony Orchestra for a three-concert tour that included a performance at the Central Conservatory in Beijing. In 2012 I moved to Chicago to pursue my Graduate Degree in Violin Performance at DePaul University School of Music. I served as the concertmaster of DePaul University Symphony Orchestra and was very lucky to learn from some great world-class musicians and professors. I never stopped teaching, even while being in school I had 20+ students I was teaching full time. I love to teach because it gives me great joy to share my passion with other people.

After my husband got a job with the Navy Fleet Band, we moved to Hawaii. If you are looking for experienced, patient teacher for your child or for yourself, I am a perfect match. Please read the reviews my former students/parents were kind to leave on my profile.

*** Lesson Details ***
I conduct my lessons in a friendly and non-stressful way. I am a very patient and enthusiastic person. If the student has a willingness to learn, I make sure that I do everything to capitalize on that and help them to reach their highest potential.
I structure my lessons to be very organized so we do not lose any time. I always give 100% of my energy in every lesson. I try to make the lesson interesting so it never gets boring for the student by teaching technical aspects and fundamentals as well as exploring a wide variety of styles and genres of music.
I require all of my students to practice at home. Practice is essential in making music. If the student does not practice he or she is not going to learn as fast and it will take a while to improve in their playing.
I do not teach all of my students the same way. I try to find different approaches for every student in order to accommodate their level of playing and their needs. I believe that there is no one perfect method to teach a student. I usually combine traditional and Suzuki methods. I construct the lesson based on what student needs to work on to improve as well as what student wants to learn. I always talk to the student to make sure that we have set the same goals, because I believe that it is important to be on the same page with the student.
I also do not have any age limits for my students. I believe that children of a very young age are very observant and open minded. I can start teaching a child as early as 4 years old. I also believe that it is never too late to start learning to play an instrument.

***Cancellation policy***
I understand that emergencies happen. Please be kind enough to contact me as soon as you know that you won't be able to make it to the lesson so we can reschedule or cancel without you being charged for it.
If you cancel your lesson less than an hour before its scheduled time, the lesson will be counted as attended. If the lesson is canceled at least an hour before its scheduled time, it will be rescheduled or cancelled without it being counted as attended.

*** Studio Equipment ***
living room studio set up, chair/couch for seating, driveway parking.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I expect students to have an instrument, a music stand and a willingness to learn. I provide some teaching materials, but it might be necessary for you to purchase one or two music books.

*** Specialties ***
Traditional and Suzuki methods.

acre's live virtual choir. Ms. L. was also very involved in her high school and college choirs that led her to journeys and performances outside of the classroom to places such as Italy, Austria, and Germany. Most recently she has worked as a full time teacher in San Diego where she taught show choir. Currently, Ms. L. has found a. Ew home in Santa Clarita, hopes to gain a full time teaching position in vocal music and gain a studio of students who share the same passion and drive for music.

ll accustomed to working with young children, adolescents and teenagers along with the elderly in retirement homes, and hope to nurture and instill in each of my students a genuine, individualized passion for music, along with imparting to each student all the knowledge I've attained over 15 years of musical experience off and on stage, playing at the world's most acclaimed venues and studying with some of the world's most sought after pedagogues. I've taught many years privately in the greater Seattle area, as a private teacher at the Aspen Music Festival and as a private teacher serving the NYC area since 2015. My students have won regional and international competitions for young people, and have performed at prestigious venues such as Benaroya Hall, Alice Tully @ Lincoln Center, the Kauffman Center, Foundation LV in Paris, and Carnegie Hall.

c Music & Volunteer Coordinator at Hospice Hawaii and the Director of Music at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Honolulu.

WHAT DO I TEACH?
I teach piano, organ, and voice.
*Piano: All levels from beginning to professional
*Organ: All levels from beginning to professional
*Voice: Beginning and those working with music theater

WHERE DO I TEACH?
*Piano: In Mililani, St Peter’s Episcopal, and online
*Organ: St. Peter’s Episcopal and possibly online
*Voice: St. Peter’s Episcopal (no online voice lessons)
NOTE: Parents are welcomed to attend the lessons!
In fact, I encourage that!!

WHAT IS MY STYLE OF TEACHING?
Every student is different and what works for one may not work with another. It's important for me to know my students so I can better shape the lesson. I love questions, reflection, and even humor. I'm also very patient and understanding. We are all very busy and accept that students may have weeks they can't practice a huge amount of time. As long as some progress is made at lessons, all is well!

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.

ng sound which invites listeners of all audiences to groove to and connect with on a deeper and instinctual level. 

           She has performed at major venues such as the Valley Performing Arts Center, where she conducted a full orchestra for the premiere of her orchestral piece “A Path Unfolds,” and sang with the CSUN Jazz A Band. She has also performed at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, the Colts Stadium in Indianapolis, the Alamodome, the Georgia Dome, the Hall of Liberty and at Los Angeles Community College where she premiered her latest piece “Emerge” with a jazz combo, which featured legendary drummer Gene Coye, and a six-piece horn section.

        Active as a collaborative artist, Sophia performs as a pianist with different ensembles professionally, including the Westlake Village Symphony Orchestra, and the New Valley Symphony Orchestra. In 2014 she was a featured soloist and won the Fred Sanford Gold Medal in Percussion with the world famous Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps, and was a featured soloist in the Winter Drumline group POW Percussion. 

            While mastering her craft in classical music, jazz, film scoring and composing original music, Ms. Sophia is going to graduate from Cal State Northridge with a Bachelor’s of Music in Media Compostion this May 2018. She is a recognized student at Cal State Northridge and received the Igor Paltsev Memorial Composition Scholarship in 2015 for three of her original works entitled Forward Motion, Drifting, and Contemplation. Since then she has been studying with the phenomenal jazz pianists Matt Harris, and Gary Fukishima, and the renown Dr. Elizabeth Sellers, who is the head and founder of the Film and Commercial Writing department. 

            Sophia has been playing the piano since the age of three, and acquired her Grade 8 Certificate in Piano from the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music (ABRSM) when she was 14.  Upon graduating high school, she was awarded the United States Marine Corps “Semper Fidelis” Award for Music Excellence, and under the instruction of acclaimed pianist Lou Touman, she auditioned and was accepted as a Piano Performance major at CSUN, at that time studying with the world renowned pianist and CSUN faculty member, Dr. Salas. 

            While currently working on composing for her ensemble which she is the pianist for, performing with several groups professionally, securing an internship, and teaching lessons, she says that being so involved with Music "is only possible because I am passionate about everything about Music, and I plan to be a part of Music and share this fondness with others for the rest of my life."

see teaching as one of my essential tools of personal growth and self realization.

All levels of beginners, amateurs and professionals are welcome to study with me. I'm trying to provide a highly interactive approach considering each individual's needs and goals instead of a rigid methodical practice leaving a lot of room to creativity and self expression.

My curriculum focus on a wide range of topics including; Piano Technique, Music Theory, Jazz Harmony, Improvisation, Composition and Repertoire.

I also prepare students for auditions to all major music schools around the globe since more than a decade.

If you have any questions or need further information, please feel free to contact me anytime.