Mililani Music Lessons

and Miami University. I chose to attend North Texas. After school, I began studying in New York with Robbie Ameen, a truly great teacher. His instruction was so meaningful to me. I later took lessons with Kenwood Dennard which was a priceless experience. I studied with many of the greats in New York, including Joe Ascione, Joel Rosenblatt, John Riley, Kim Plainfield, Chris Parker, Jim Chapin, and, of course, my dad. Frank Bellucci was very helpful when I was experiencing pain in my right hand. There were many others including Mark Hymes for piano and Joe Cavallaro for vibraphone.

I have made a living playing various original, cover gigs and club-dates (Weddings) and in 1996 I joined Blood, Sweat and Tears and toured the U.S., Canada and South America. Playing with BS&T was a great experience for me, and certainly taught me how to deal with different personalities.

I've always worked - playing (both club-dates and music that I enjoy), teaching and producing. I run a recording studio now, which is perhaps my favorite place to be. I'm in there as much as possible.

Most recently, I spent three years touring Europe with The Healers!, a hard hitting blues band from New York.

Since 2006, I've been producing music for the Oprah Winfrey Show. While her show was on the air, you would often hear my drumming during the "Bumper Music" section in between commercial breaks or during guest introductions. I've also played on some film scores including The Christopher Walken movie, 5 Dollars a Day.

vidual path toward realizing their potential.

Here's a bit about my background and musical experience:

Bachelors of Fine Arts degree (Theatre/Voice) from United States International University Graduated Valedictorian
Chula Vista School of Creative and Performing Arts Graduated Valedictorian
Workshops and studying with Bill Doyle, Roy Mote, Andrew Barnicle, Jack Tygett, Leanne Summers, among others.

"After seeing Danielle, I was impressed with her intensity as a performer. Her ability to get behind a lyric was stunning, she lives every line. As an artistic performer, I've yet to see better."
-Tony Ferguson / Interscope Records: No Doubt, Bush, Fisher

My original band, Danielle and The Masses, has been recording and performing live since 2001. We are endorsed by Ani Difranco, The Black Eyed Peas, The Bruce Hornsby Band, and have shared the stage with artists as Jamie Foxx, CAKE, Metric, En Vogue, David Byrne, Berlin, Margaret Cho, Cyndi Lauper, Jonatha Brooke, Beth Hart, Semi Precious Weapons and more.

I have written and performed music and voice over for Ace Ventura, Nutty Professor, VH1, various TV shows and independent documentaries, Eveoke Dance Theatre, among others, as well as having recorded eight professional CDs of various styles on various record labels.

For over ten years, my record / production company, Say It Records has been producing socially conscious music events throughout San Diego and Southern California that promote independent music, film, art, community and human rights. I also co-own Durga Sound, a teaching and production studio, with producer Alicia Champion, as well as San Diego IndieFest, a powerful community event which promotes and supports music, film, art and civic engagement.

I have a great time utilizing my contacts in the industry to help my students get work/ press / entrance into the schools of their choice, etc. For example, I'm happy to report that just last year we were able to book eight musicians on GLEE, as well as lots more in other capacities including using their music in commercials and film and helping them get cast in local theatre and accepted into arts-centered schools.

*** Lesson Details ***
I start on the first lesson by becoming clear about what the new student's goals and desires are from there, we start developing technique to achieve those goals along with having fun right away doing what they came for - singing, writing, voice over, acting or using a combination of these things be it for professional purposes or personal fulfillment. Every lesson is personally customized to meet the specific goals of each student. As a teacher, I'm encouraging and fun, passionate and positive. While I'm definitely not "strict", I do appreciate focus and drive. However, I often work with people who have special needs and are working on developing those very things. I'm especially good at helping people through progress plateaus, roadblocks, stage fright, loss/ stress. Using music as a means of release and healing - for both kids and adults - is something I do a lot of and am very comfortable with.

As far as technique is concerned, I focus on utilizing posture, correct breathing and developing relaxed, strong support, so that the muscles are developed properly. We want the voice to develop without stress, enabling the student to constantly grow while steering clear of any injury that can happen as a result of straining, not to mention other habits that manifest when we sing without proper technique.

I strongly encourage students to record their lessons on a mobile device so they can practice easily on their own, and so they eventually have a record of how far they've grown.
We mostly use tracks to develop repertoire, prepare for auditioning and performances, and to have fun singing the music that excites each student the most.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Apple Mac Pro Quad Core running OS 10.8.3
Avid Pro Tools 10 HDX
Propellor Reason 4.0
UA 2-610 Microphone Pre-amp
UA LA-610 Microphone Pre-amp and Compressor
UA Teletronix LA2A Compressor/ Limiter
Behringer ADA 8000
more...

*** Specialties ***
Using music, writing and voice as a means of expressing yourself, growing as a performance artist, coping in challenging times, as well as a means of going professional and earning income are all areas I specialize in. Utilizing proper technique and learning how to sing / speak safely is also an area I focus on a great deal.

Learning precisely what each student wants is the key factor in my decision on how to achieve their goals. For example, using Speech Level Singing is definitely entrenched in my teaching, but I may not highlight it as much for those who want a more classical sound.

I excel with the following: first timers, very young kids, students working through stage fright, artists looking to develop their own original project, those seeking growth in their process of writing / recording / performing, those who are interested in using music and / or writing as therapy as well as with amateurs who've always wanted to do something musical but who think they are "too old" or too "untalented/short/tall/ fill in the blank" to try. I believe we all have something to say with our lives - finding the voice within you can be an incredibly powerful and transformative experience!

as Narzerath House, Bay View, Bella Vista, Monte Vista Village, and La Mesa Health Care Center, as well as making In-Home visits. These include independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory care facilities around SD! I also have experience playing for the actively dying for hospice and consider it an honor to be of musical assistance for people in transition.

I love to teach and can make my harp and voice lessons unique to each individual based on their current skill level. I love watching people expand and grow through music. Your lessons will be engaging, compassionate, fun, and organized! Each lesson will encourage you to become excited about your musical growth and inspire you to continue. I offer something unusual for a harp teacher in that I can teach both improvisation and music theory for the harp. This means that you will get the best of both worlds!

I also have obtained education from the Self-Heal School of Herbal Studies here in San Diego, where I have learned about herbal medicine. I am well versed in many alternative therapies (such as E.F.T., meditation, therapeutic music, Ayurvedic medicine, amino acid therapy, etc.) and can provide compassion, understanding, and strategies for alleviating suffering as a Life Coach. My education towards my Master's degree in Psychology also helps me increase my understanding of the human condition and offer additional support for anxiety, depression, addiction, and other stresses. I believe that everyone deserves to live a life of freedom, safety, comfort, and relaxation. I hope to provide loving assistance for anyone seeking someone who cares and will put in the time to truly listen and offer advice.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and please let me know how I can be of service to you!

ctor 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: At my home in Mililani, St Peter’s Episcopal, and online
*Organ: St. Peter’s Episcopal and possibly online
*Voice: St. Peter’s Episcopal and possibly online
NOTE: Parents are more than welcomed to attend the lessons!
In fact, I encourage that!!

WHAT IS MY STYLE OF TEACHING?
Every student is different and what works with 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!

AER THERE RECITALS? ... Absolutely. You work hard at your lessons and it’s great to show your talent! Recitals will be at St. Peter’s Episcopal. I’m going to have a recital for my online students soon to see how that goes.

cial voice-over work. She has a long history of competitions and Detroit Metro area show choir performances, in the Seaway Chorale for Voices of the Young and Youth Sings, from the elementary to high school years. She competed in Solo and Ensemble Music Festivals, where she won first place medals in Voice and Symphonic Band Performance. Her Instrumental Ensemble competition experience was gained through her past Marching Band and Symphony performances with the Trombone. Her most recent endeavors include solo performances sponsored by Voces Intimae and a Choir Performance at the Lincoln Center (NYC) in April 2015, as well as playing in an ensemble as a jazz pianist at Collin County Community College's Jazz Camp. She also has also dabbled in composition, having created a three movement arrangement while studying at TWU, one movement of which her professor described as "Chopinesque." Always willing for a new adventure, she took up Guitar this year, and now teaches beginners basic chords for students who want to learn fun sing-along music.

She works with students that have developmental and physical disabilities, having been certified in caring for these individuals since at least three decades ago.

d interests in order to maintain a fun learning process while developing good piano technique. Pooja's students will learn sight reading, listening skills, musicianship and improvisation while learning their favorite songs. She also guides students for Illinois state, ABRSM and other exam preparations. With the fundamentals and meaningful experience in hands, she feels excited to make a difference in a person's life by providing them with the gift of playing music.