Ama, LA Music Theory Lessons

lassical piano department in the School of the Arts High School of San Francisco. There I went through rigorous classical training and learned vast amounts of repertoire. At the same time, I still studied and played jazz in the high school Big Band, Latin Jazz band and small jazz combo. It was during this time that I deeply focused on not only Jazz music and improvisation, but also Salsa, Latin Jazz, R&B, Funk, Pop. Basically all other forms and styles of music. I learned what it means to be in a band and how to make an ensemble sound good and to make an audience like and cheer for the music. I was lucky to have bands and musicians to play with all around San Francisco, including jazz festivals.

After graduating as the only student to study in the Piano department for 4 years in my graduating class, I was accepted with scholarship to Berklee College of Music in Boston. I started my first semester in 2009, and declared a Piano Performance and Jazz Composition Dual Major in 2010. At Berklee, I studied under amazing piano teachers to focus on my jazz playing and technique and repertoire. Some of the classes I took included music theory, ear training, composition and arranging, scoring and analysis, even guitar and bass labs. As well, I was the main piano player for the Berklee Salsa Ensemble for 3 straight years. I was also involved with bands and playing recitals, shows, clubs, outdoors and indoor venues throughout Boston and Massachusetts. I had the honor of being hired by Berklee to travel and play along with other selected students at the Carnaval de Barranquilla honoring Joe Arroyo. This was the most memorable musical experience for me yet, as I played along great musicians for hundreds of people in a theater, including Joe Arroyo sharing the stage with the band.

All of this experience and training is what I bring to my lessons and tutoring sessions. I teach my students how to prepare themselves for any kind of musical situation, from music theory and technique, to piano playing and repertoire, and understanding and playing all kinds of styles and genres of music. Most of all, I teach my students to be unique in their musical endeavors and to bring out their own voice through music. And the most important element of all, the happiness and joy it brings to the students and others.

*** Lesson Details ***
In my piano and music lessons, you will be learning music theory, proper piano technique, ear training, sight reading, and repertoire. It will be up to the student to determine what genre and style of music they want to learn and study. It can be anything from classical music, jazz, or even Funk and R&B music and more. My students will also develop an ear, meaning that instead of only focusing on written material and music in sheet music format, they will learn to hear intervals and chords, and also play or sing back melodies.

My teaching style is very easy to get along with. I don't pressure or push students by being too strict. When learning music, being hard and strict gets the student nowhere. I approach the student with listening and understanding. It's my job to see the students advantages and keep them strong, as well as working on bringing up weaknesses and what's needed to make the student excel in both playing technique, and all other musical aspects.

When it comes to proper piano technique, I always teach my students with "Hanon, the Virtuoso Pianist in sixty excercises", and "Scales, Chords & Arpeggios" by James Bastien. After 3-6 months as my student, you will progress in your technique skills, ear training, repertoire and memorization

*** Studio Equipment ***
Main keyboard: Nord Stage 2 88 keysRecording equipment: M-Audio ProFire 2626 interface (modified), Black Lion Audio Inst/Mic Preamp, Black Lion Audio Master clock, KRK Rokit 6's, Shure SM57/SM58, Sterling Audio ST57 FET Condenser microphone, MacBook Pro with Logic, Ableton Live, Reason, Digital PerformerBass: Fender '57 reissue P Bass, made in JapanGuitar: Fender Deluxe Players Stratocaster, made in MexicoAmps: Behringer PA/Keyboard amp, Fender DeVille 2X12 60W all tube Guitar amp

*** Travel Equipment ***
Sheet music material and copied pages from books. Student should be able to provide their own books.

*** Specialties ***
Classically trained in Piano. Most recent styles and genres include Jazz, Fusion, Blues, Rock, Funk, R&B/Soul, Latin, Latin-Jazz, Salsa, Afro-Cuban

olin, your voice is an instrument.
The purpose of voice lessons is to help you develop a beautiful and dynamic singing voice and also to teach you to use your voice in a healthy age-appropriate way that will keep you singing for many years to come!
As your teacher, I want your lesson to be more than just singing through a few songs.
While what specifically happens during a voice lesson can vary greatly from student to student and from week to week, the overall structure of the lessons remains similar.
We will always start with some combination of warm-ups for your breath, body, and voice. Just as you wouldn't go running without first stretching and warming up your muscles, you don't want to start singing full songs without first getting your body and voice warmed up.
Warm-ups will also introduce you to new techniques for properly using your voice in a healthy and beautiful way.
After warm-ups, we will work on songs. Typically, you will sing through the song once, and then we will go through it in small, manageable chunks, applying the techniques from the warm-ups to the songs.
During the lesson we will also work on expression and acting. A song isn't just pretty notes—it tells a story. If it's a song from a musical, there's a specific character that sings it. It's your job as a singer to tell the story and to make it fun and exciting for the audience.
While there's a lot of hard work that goes on during a lesson, voice lessons are lots of fun! As your teacher, I am here to encourage you, support you, and guide you in your vocal studies. I look forward to working with you soon!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Music studio room, 2 full size keyboards, music stands, book shelf, desk, parking lots (free).

*** Specialties ***
Classical, Music Theater, Jazz

*** Studio Equipment ***
bass and guitar amp, music stand, sheet music books/magazines, home recording system w/ seating for parents

*** Travel Equipment ***
I can provide a guitar amp..I expect the student to have a guitar

*** Specialties ***
Sight Reading, All Modern techniques Pertaining To Guitar and Bass... Specialize in the Rock/Funk Genre

g band and Oregon Crusaders drum and bugle corps, as well as freelancing throughout Michiana.

Thanks for your time, and happy practicing!

*** Studio Equipment ***
I can provide: music stand, method books during lessons, recording equipment for lessons, tuner, metronome

Students should provide: instrument/mouthpiece, any other music they would like to play

*** Specialties ***
I have spent most of my playing time on classical (orchestral, chamber, and solo music), but also welcome students interested in jazz up to an intermediate level, especially if they have an interest in playing lead trumpet.

awn to certain types of music over others, so let's work on what we love!

As an actor I also have a strong background in improv comedy, having studied at "The Groundlings," and "The Second City." I then performed professionally with an improv ensemble in NYC called "The Grownups Playground" and can teach a myriad of improv comedy games, selected from my vast experience and cater the games to the students abilities. I believe developing your gifts should be fun!

*** Lesson Details ***
My personality is definitely laid back creating a fun atmosphere for lessons. That said, I believe the real fun begins when we cultivate our talents and get opportunities to sing our hearts out!

Lessons usually begin with loosening everything up, as relaxation is imperative to avoiding strain on the voice. Getting loose can be fun and a chance to act silly! Next we move onto learning proper breathing techniques, and practicing exercises that will develop the muscles necessary to produce the most sound while protecting the voice from damage. From there we study ways to warm up the vocal chords. The voice is a muscle and I have found the expression, "Use it or you lose it!" to hold true. Therefore, warming up is just as important as warming up your legs to run track!

The rest of our lesson I like to focus on music selections. We usually watch examples of artists performing the student's choice of music, and then begin either learning the song, or improving a song already learned. Down the road, when songs are performance ready, we will learn proper microphone technique, and try out our songs on mic! Get ready to belt it out!

For acting lessons, I always begin with a few improv warm-ups, and from there move on to the student's choice of monolgue, scene-study or my favorite more improv comedy games!

Lastly, I believe strongly in positivity and creating a comfortable environment for lessons. Sometimes life wears us down, so c'mon in for an uplifting inspiring, encouraging lesson. If this sounds like the type of voice lesson you are looking for, I would love to meet you, and help you reach for your dreams!

*** Specialties ***
Vocally, I specialize in pop, musical theatre, standards, and jazz, all of which I have performed and taught professionally. Acting wise, I am an experienced improviser, and have much experience teaching improv based on philosophies learned at "The Second City."

vocal accompanist for Tulane students as well as for local churches.

I am able to offer lessons at Tulane University and am able to travel throughout the metropolitan area. As I am frequently performing throughout the state, I can also arrange special lessons in other cities. Feel free to contact me about scheduling a lesson!

I am also happy to assist you in finding an instrument, supplies, sheet music and method books. Having the right setup is the best way to ensure success!

e things for my students to make their learning as easy and effective as possible.

In addition to freelance work, (weddings, jazz brunch gigs, etc.) I am the lead guitarist for the Funk/R&B band Water Seed and the soul project RetroFit. I attended Indiana University for jazz guitar and have studied under jazz greats Dan Miller, Corey Christiansen, and Oteil Burbridge.

I teach all kinds of stringed instruments from guitar and bass to mandolin and banjo! If you have any questions about my teaching methods, skill level in a certain discipline, or anything you can think of I would be more than happy to answer you!

Musically yours,
Grant

tool in your toolbox, as well as give you some new ones. Music is not too vast to understand, and all it takes is one little push to be off on your way, making your own musical adventures.
As someone who has thrived in most ensemble scenarios from Concert Bands, Orchestras, Big Bands, to Rock Bands and Jazz Combos, I can help prepare you for any musical undertaking. I love students who love music and want to get better at it, regardless of what style it might be in.
So whoever you are, whatever you like, and wherever your skills are at, I want to help- to impart you with skills and knowledge you might need to play at the level you want. I look forward to meeting you and helping you be even more awesome!