Music Performance with Carmen S.

Carmen has been teaching music for 10 years to children and adults, from age 4 to 50. She is able to teach many genres of music to all levels of musicianship, whether beginner or advanced, whether they want to learn Mozart or Coldplay, Aretha Franklin or Joni Mitchell . Her style of teaching utilizes the classical approach of theory and sight reading, but MOST IMPORTANTLY allows the student to explore the instrument freely while also achieving good musicianship. Having fun while honing the craft is the way to an enduring love of playing and is a principle she always uses in her lessons. Carmen has a special gift with very young children; she is able to keep children interested, engaged, inspired and challenged. She has a patience with children that is extraordinary because she believes strongly in the ability of music to enrich children's lives in all areas and seeks to cultivate that within the child. Adults also find it easy to learn from Carmen's teaching approach. Her ability to approach a students challenges with a multitude of learning techniques has been useful in helping students succeed. She teaches skills and techniques for practicing that are useful for musicians through out their lifetime. Carmen also knows exactly what it takes to make a student a professional who is ready for studio session work, live band performances, live improvisations, auditions or creating their own music. She understands the desire and drive behind wanting to create with music and emphasizes certain key aspects that can make musicians proficient in any genre when practiced Education Carmen comes from a long family lineage of musicians and artists. Always being exposed to classical music and opera since birth, Carmen was in awe of the power of the human voice through opera. At 8 she began to study the art form and teach herself music. She started studying with teachers at age 11. After learning voice, piano and cello followed. While studying classical techniques, she also taught herself other genres of music which enabled her to play, record and perform with musicians of almost every genre by 19. Carmen has been taught and trained by many professional working musicians of impressive musical carrer heights Her former opera/ vocal coach Shonie Lebie attended The Julliard School on a full scholarship before going on to The Metropolitan Opera House. Piano teacher Shoshana Ben Horin, a graduate of Prague Conservatory of Music and concert pianist, toured all of Europe before instructing Carmen in piano. Carmen has learned cello and other string instruments from professional working musicians here in Los Angeles. Experience Carmen is a current working session musician, songwriter and performer in Los Angeles. She has performed and recorded with musicians from The Gap Band, Guns n' Roses, Whitney Houston, Vanessa Hudgens, Hayden Panettiere, etc. She was born and raised in Los Angeles. *** Lesson Details *** I customize EVERY lesson for EVERY student (Beginner or Advanced) whether playing in for fun, preparing for a show or wanting to become a professional musician, I can help you reach it. For piano I can teach you the classical method, Suzuki or methods toward the genre you enjoy playing. You'll learn Ear Training, Rhythm, Theory/ Chords, Sight Reading, Improvisation, Repertoire and a little songwriting. For strings I focus mostly using the Suzuki Method/ Classical Repertoire or Hal Leonard curriculum. If you seek to learn rock, jazz or blues I have customized learning technique depending on your level. You'll learn bowing techniques, Ear training, Sigh Reading for multiple Clefs, Orchestration, and of course theory and repertoire For singing I customize the lesson toward Genre Performance preference of the student to maximize your time and productivity. Covering Breath/Phrasing, Projection, Tone Improvement, Diction, Microphone technique, Sight Reading, Proper vocal warm-ups/ Maintenance and Repertoire *** Specialties *** Opera, pop, rock, r&b, blue, jazz, alternative rock, string instrument improvisation, free form, variations of short hand lead sheets (how to play along with a band at gig nights), piano chord structures & progressions, singing with band accompaniment, children's music