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Active - Public

English (ESL)

I am a multi-instrumentalist with a passion for bluegrass and old time music.  I have been studying music since the age of 9, and fell in love with traditional music when I was 13.  I love to perform and have had the opportunity to share the stage with many of my hero's.  My interest in teaching started when I was very young, and some of my first students were my younger siblings who wanted to play violin like me. 

Aside from being a musician and music teacher, I work as an informal ESL/EFL tutor, and love learning new languages.  

My teaching experience includes leading orchestra sectional rehearsals throughout high school, privately teaching students of all ages and skill levels, including special needs, and working as a teachers assistant in a religious school music class.  

I love helping my students succeed, and will do anything I can to teach a student in a way they connect with and find meaning in.  I am a flexible and patient teacher with lots of knowledge and experience.  I can explain things in many different ways to ensure you understand and learn something new in every lesson.  I believe a solid foundation of technique and music theory, along with a dynamic and interesting lesson plan, will help any student succeed in learning any genre of music.  

I am accepting of all folks, including those who are LGBT+, disabled, neurodivergent, etc.

I'm looking forward to seeing you in class!

This is a class for kids ages 5-9, who speak, or are learning, English as a foreign language.  We will read a children's story together and have a class discussion on the topic.

Kids Story Time! (Ages 5-9)

Such a good first lesson! So excited for more!

I was super nervous for my first lesson, as I’m a total novice at fiddle and had never taken an online music lesson of any kind before. Alani made me feel super comfortable, and I feel like I’m going to learn so much!

I have been taking Fiddle with Alani for a little more than a month and I am already learning Fiddle tunes. She is an excellent teacher, able to explain unfamiliar territory with ease. 

I never imagined I would get this far in so short a time. While I don't read sheet music, she teaches me how to name the notes by the fingers on the strings, a system that is working well for me. 

Alani is skilled at breaking down the Fiddle scales, phrases of a song, and general bow and string techniques, so that a novice can really play and gain confidence. I highly recommend Alani.

Wonderful wonderful actitud super patience and very knowledgeable about the need & goals for my class.
Thank you Alina for such a wonderful class.

Alani is very experienced, professional, and kind. She’s efficiently teaching me, who has no experience with the violin, how to play one. I’d recommend her to anyone.

I have little experience playing the fiddle and felt awkward a LOT!  Alani helped me feel more at ease and really is helping me zero in on what my goals are and how to reach them.  I recommend her highly!

Excellent lessons! Alani is great! Very patient and friendly! I'm so glad I started these lessons.

Alani was very thorough and patient with a very novice, first time student. I am looking forward to our next lesson.

Alani is an outstanding instructor! My daughter is 13 and has learned so much from Alani. Alani is an accomplished musician and is very knowledgeable regarding fiddling and music. Alani has great communication skills and you will be happy with her as your instructor. I especially liked that Alani took the time to create youtube instructional videos for my daughter after the lessons. Thank you, Alani!

I am currently working with Alani on the mandolin and I have already learned so much. Alani is has been very patient with my limited understanding of music and incredibly encouraging. I chose to work with Alani because she identified in her profile that she enjoys playing and teaching old-time and bluegrass. She has been helping me learn to play by ear so I can eventually contribute to some campfire jams when I am back in my home state of Maine! She always sets me up with a task and/or lesson to practice on my own. The lessons include a Youtube video that allows me to follow along and listen as I learn. In all, she is incredibly knowledgeable, talented, kind, and a great communicator. I have already recommended her to two friends who are looking to get into playing.

Really fun, met me where I was at. A really great experience, looking forward to our next lesson

In this video, you will learn the melody to the song Happy Birthday!  This is a great beginner melody, in the key of G.

Violin

Violin Tutorial: Happy Birthday

This is a slightly more challenging scale, and would be useful for students who are starting to learn songs in the key of E.  Students will become familiar with the finger patterns used in the key of E, and use the fourth finger.  Happy practicing!

Learn and Practice E major Scale

This is the perfect lesson if you're just starting out on violin and want to start learning scales!  Scales are very useful for learning any style of music, to improve finger dexterity, and get a grasp on finger patterns in different keys.  Happy practicing!

Learn and Practice the G Major Scale

Learn and Practice the D Major Scale

In this video, you will have the chance to learn the melody and the chords for a popular song, You Are My Sunshine.  Watch until the end to get a chance to jam with me!

Mandolin

Learn To Play "You Are My Sunshine!"

In this lesson, you will learn the most basic things you need to know in order to get off on the right foot with your mandolin playing!  I cover several topics such as how to use a mandolin strap, how to hold the pick, and how to hold the mandolin. 

Your First Lesson: Introduction to Mandolin!

In this video, you will get to learn the melody to the popular song, You Are My Sunshine.  Watch until the end to get a chance to play along with me!

In this video, you will be introduced to a very common and useful scale, the A major scale.  You will learn the necessary finger patterns and will get the chance to practice along with me!

Learn and Practice the A Major Scale!

In this video, you will learn how to play the famous Darius Rucker/ Old Crow Medicine Show song, Wagon Wheel!  You will learn the chords, and the melody.  Watch to the end to jam with me on the song!

Learn To Play Wagon Wheel!

In this video, you will learn how to play one of the most common scales on the mandolin.  With this scale, you will be able to play hundreds of tunes in this key.

Learn And Practice The A Major Scale!

In this video, you will learn two ways to approach the technique of chopping, which is a fundamental part of the rhythm section in a bluegrass or old time ensemble.

Learn Two Ways To Chop!

In this video, you will learn the fundamentals of how scales are structured, and gain a clear understanding of how to apply them to your instrument or voice.

Kids Story Time! (Ages 5-9) - English (ESL) Class

Class reviews

Alani's English (ESL) videos

Violin Tutorial: Happy Birthday

Learn and Practice E major Scale

Learn and Practice the G Major Scale

Learn and Practice the D Major Scale

Learn To Play "You Are My Sunshine!"

Your First Lesson: Introduction to Mandolin!

Learn To Play "You Are My Sunshine!"

Learn and Practice the A Major Scale!

Learn To Play Wagon Wheel!

Learn And Practice The A Major Scale!

Learn Two Ways To Chop!

All About Scales

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