Tin Whistle with Colin D.

Hello! My name is Colin. I graduated from UC Berkeley in 2015 with a bachelor's degree in music. I play keyboards, saxophone, bass, guitar, ukulele, various Irish folk instruments, and drums professionally in a variety of styles, including jazz, pop, soul, classical, and rock and roll. I've been playing piano since age 5 and saxophone since age 12 and have taken lessons with a number of excellent teachers. I have extensive experience teaching music theory, technique, performance, arranging/orchestration, production, and recording techniques. From 2016 to 2022 I was music director at Kid City Hope Place, a non-profit after school program for high school students, and taught more than 2,000 individual lessons and band practices to dozens of students. Since its founding in 2021, I've served as musical director, arranger, and saxophonist for one of the nation's most popular cover bands, Tom Sandoval & the Most Extras (fronted by Vanderpump Rules star Tom Sandoval)! I've also played and recorded with dozens of other bands in and around LA, and am one half of a duo, Colin and Steve, that remixes famous video game themes in various hip-hop styles. What can you expect from a lesson with me? I start with a customized approach based on the needs of the individual student and a relaxed atmosphere with plenty of room for student initiative -- bringing in songs or pieces to learn is encouraged! I push my students to explore many styles and approaches because I believe that a well-rounded foundation lets you pull the best parts from each style and synthesize them to become a more versatile performer. I can't wait to meet you!