Pasadena Music Lessons

ience working with students as young as 3 and old as 85! Often multiple generations in a family study together making for a rich family experience.

Performance opportunities: Recitals, Concerts Cabarets and Musicals are a part of developing into a musician and singer and enhancing a love of music that will last a lifetime!

*** Lesson Details ***
Piano - Classical, Jazz, Blues and Improvisation. Current students are beginners to professional musicians and music teachers.

Voice – I am an accomplished vocal coach and songwriter and currently work with a wide variety of singers from young beginners to professionals who look to develop through ear training, singing and songwriting. In a unique way I guide people to become better performers and musicians through the combination of voice, piano and composition.

I work with students as young as 3 or 4 and into their 80’s. It’s important to begin with an excellent teacher from the start to set a good foundation and to have the ability to develop as quickly and thoroughly as possible. I enjoy working with beginners as well as accomplished musicians. I also believe that music is one of the great joys of life and that lessons should be FUN!

Besides a wide variety of performance opportunities through my Family to Family Concerts, I also offer my students the curriculum and exams of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, a gold standard music curriculum.. The ABRSM is accredited in over 100 countries worldwide and exams are offered twice per year in all instruments and voice.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Lesson room with grand piano, vocal mics, recording equipment. Parents can sit in on lessons and waiting area available, parking on street. No pets.

*** Travel Equipment ***
They will need a piano or keyboard

*** Specialties ***
A message from Robert: Hello, I am a master teacher focusing on the classical repertoire along with a very creative approach to improvisation and composition. I help students to achieve their interests of music rather than focusing on teaching one particular method. Classes are tailored to the student and constantly evolving. This has led me to work in a variety of mediums and styles including Jazz, improvisation, rock and blues. This approach also enhances an understanding and love of classical music.
I also guide my students in the curriculum and exams of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. (ABRSM) Exams are offered twice per year.
I have also found it inspiring to work with people with disabilities and help them find a way to express themselves musically. I give lectures and workshops in the area and around the country on improvisation and creativity along with concerts of my own music.
I also work with a number of students in vocal coaching and accompanying.
New this year are seminars in songwriting for adults and children. Groups of 4-5 collaborate on new songs. Film and video composition coming soon!

peak to them while also working on developing their techniques through shorter exercises. My goal is to help my students achieve their goals and surprise themselves going way beyond, because I truly believe there is no limit. With practice, determination, and inspiring lessons my students can reach heights they would never have imagined before.

Teaching Methods:
For beginners I usually work with the Rubank methods book as well as songs that students love to play. I often use flashcards to facilitate with site-reading and slowly introduce all the musical symbols. I adapt different techniques to meet the needs of each student. For intermediate and advanced students I prefer using scales, etudes (exercises), sonatas, concertos and solo pieces of their preference. I especially enjoy playing duets with my students, one of their favorite ways of practicing, as it combines our talents in order to create something beautiful. Through regular practice and mentorship I teach my students to become independent and confident performers as they perform solo, as part of a band, or in competitions. There is no greater joy than being able to teach my students and help them better perform and understand the music they are sharing with others. My goal has always been to be a facilitator of my students' journeys to success and to see them fall in love with the flute just like I did at a very young age.

Tools:
During my lessons I often use a tuner and metronome to help students play on tune and keep the tempo if needed. Additionally, I occasionally use a recording device so students can become more aware of their sound and can learn to self-correct. It is also a great way to hear improvement over time.

rrently residing in the Greater New York City Area. She has taught masterclasses and workshops in Washington, California, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Iowa, Utah, and New Jersey. She is currently on faculty at the Rutgers Mason Gross School of the Arts Extension Division as flute instructor and chamber music coach. During the 2016-2017 school year, she was on the Flute Faculty at the Center for Musical Excellence in New Vernon, NJ. She also served as the Director of Admissions.

Along with a substantial teaching and performing schedule, Sarah is an active chamber musician. She is a founding member of the Emissary Quartet, founded in 2009. In November 2016, the Emissary Quartet premiered a work by Annika Socolofsky, which was made possible by a grant from the Fromm Music Foundation. Emissary Quartet was quarterfinalists in the 2016 Fischoff Chamber Music Competition, and was the only flute quartet to have competed within the last seven years. They also performed at the National Flute Association's 44th Convention in San Diego, California. The Emissary Quartet won multiple grants from the Friends of Flutes Foundation, Inc. and from NewMusic USA.

Sarah received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Flute Performance from Carnegie Mellon University School of Music, and her Masters in Flute Performance from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, as a Barbara and David Jacobs Scholar. Her primary instructors include Jeanne Baxtresser, Bart Feller, Thomas Robertello, and Judy Grant.

ute, and voice lessons at the Umoja Music School. Danielle received her Master's Degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education "Arts in Education" program and a Bachelor's Degree in Music Composition from Vanderbilt University.