Music

Piano

Dr. Tom W.

Overview About Reviews Experience Education Awards Affiliations Languages Gallery

Teaches online

Teaches all skill levels

Age: 5+

Speaks Spanish

Teaching since 1994

Doctor of Musical Arts, Piano (Performance)

About Dr. Tom W.

5.0

(4)

Hey everyone! Dr. Tom here - just wanted to share a little bit about myself with you. I want you to know that although I'm a lifelong professional musician, I'm also a father, a husband, and a decent human being who tries to be good and kind to everyone I meet. I know life happens, and I always take that into account in my lessons. I believe music education is meant to enrich life at all levels, from beginner to professional, and that you are coming from a unique aspect that nobody else has. My job is to connect with you wherever you are in your life and help enrich your life through music. I also have a great passion for the highest levels of piano playing, and for higher education. If you are an advanced student looking to enter competitions or audition for degree programs, I'm very excited to have the opportunity to assist you in making your performances the best they can be. I've won several competitions, and I've had students win national competitions and be admitted to prestigious degree programs. Some have even become teachers themselves. Even with all the dedication that accompanies this way of life, you too are still human and need a well-rounded life experience, and I understand that going into lessons together. It's why I focus a lot on history as well - it infuses the music we play with the universal link to humanity we all share. Whatever your goals are, I truly want to help you reach them as best I can. Thank you so much for considering giving me a shot, I really appreciate it. May God bless you in all aspects of your life. :) -Dr. Tom

Instructor details

Subject

Location:

Teaches Online

Teaching Hours

Monday

1:30 PM-3 PM

3:30 PM-5 PM

Tuesday

1:30 PM-5 PM

Wednesday

1:30 PM-5 PM

Thursday

1:30 PM-5 PM

Times are shown in your local timezone (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)

Pricing

30 minutes

$47

ReviewsWrite a review

100%

5.0

4 Reviews

Craig

Student's home

As an adult student returning to the piano after a 20 year hiatus it was vital for me to get high-quality instruction and guidance. Dr Tom helped me break old habits still present in my playing, instructed me on healthy posture and hand position, and helped unlock my true potential. Thanks to Dr Tom's guidance I was able to overcome my performance anxiety with a successful solo recital - a long-time dream of mine! Dr Tom is a dedicated, experienced and respected educator and musician. I highly recommend him to anyone seeking great piano instruction for any age or level!

Posted Aug 26, 2020

Sean

Student's home

Dr. Tom was my piano instructor for about a decade, and during that time I went from a complete beginner to playing at virtuoso level. I played in various competitions and events, mostly through my middle/high school, in which I placed highly and received both recognition and praise. My ability at the piano even allowed for my high school band to play concertos and pieces involving advanced piano literature, elevating the bands capabilities of performance. Even after leaving for college and unfortunately having to end my studies, I am able to quickly learn new pieces and play them at performance level, even without the intention of playing them in professional performance. I have Dr. Tom to thank for cultivating not only this amazing skill, but the will to continue practicing it even after leaving his studio.

Posted Aug 22, 2020

Sophia

Teacher's studio

Dr. Tom has been a fantastic piano teacher. He always works with you, and is patient and supportive with every skill level you reach. My music reading got way better after taking lessons with him, and he was always happy to explain things about music theory and history as well as simply teaching me what my hands should be doing. He's also very understanding about working with your schedule if you need to miss or reschedule a lesson. I honestly can't think of a single issue or complaint - I've had a great experience taking lessons from Dr. Tom. I would gladly recommend him for anyone who wants to learn piano.

Posted Aug 22, 2020

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Experience

Concert Pianist

Dec, 1998 - Present

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Classical concert pianist. Made professional debut on December 31, 1998 in San Jose, California.

Music Instructor

Jul, 2007 - Jun, 2017

Palen Music Center

I taught piano and guitar to students of all ages, all levels, and all styles, from beginner to professional, and from classical to popular music.

Keyboardist

Jun, 2001 - Sep, 2001

The Jill Marie Band - based out of Omaha, NE

5-piece country and rock band, led by Jill Knudsen-Das and performing original and cover music. Toured the Midwest in the summer of 2001. Played major radio promotions, and opened for prominent country acts, including Diamond Rio, Lonestar, and Rascal Flatts.

Founding Member, Keyboardist and Guitarist

Jun, 1995 - Dec, 1998

Soul Intention (aka Groove Undercover)

10-piece group playing funk and soul music from the 1960s and 1970s - Tower of Power, Sly and the Family Stone, Otis Redding, and similar artists. Worked with Gary Swope, Manny H. Angel, Scott Kolodzieski, and several other Bay Area artists.

Private Music Instructor

Sep, 1994 - Present

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I teach piano and guitar to students of all ages, all levels, and all styles, from beginner to professional, and from classical to popular music. I have taught in California, Nebraska, and Missouri.

Founding Member, Keyboardist, Guitarist, and Bassist

Sep, 1991 - Jun, 1995

The Hectics

3-piece hard rock band, performing covers and originals in the style of 1970s and 1980s hard rock and heavy metal. Y&T, Michael Schenker Group, Rush, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Alcatrazz, and similar artists. Performed extensively throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

Education

Bachelor of Music (with Honors), Piano (Performance)

Sep, 1991 - Jun, 2000

San Jose State University

Doctor of Musical Arts, Piano (Performance)

Sep, 2002 - Jun, 2007

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Master of Music, Piano (Performance)

Sep, 2000 - Jun, 2002

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Awards

Award for Outstanding Performance

Apr, 1998

Mu Phi Epsilon

Honorable Mention - Budapest Division

Nov, 2002

Los Angeles International Liszt Competition

Award of Recognition

Sep, 2002

Collegium Corvinium (auxiliary of the Los Angeles International Liszt Competition)

Award of Recognition

Aug, 2001

Los Angeles International Liszt Competition

Dean's Scholar

Jun, 2000

San Jose State University College of Humanities and Arts

Award for Outstanding Performance - Grand Prize

Oct, 1999

San Jose State University School of Music and Dance

Dean's Scholar

Jun, 1999

San Jose State University College of Humanities and Arts

Award for Outstanding Achievement in Diversity

Mar, 1999

San Jose State University College of Humanities and Arts

Award for Outstanding Performance

Nov, 1998

Los Angeles International Liszt Competition

Affiliations

Mu Phi Epsilon

Jan, 1998

Mu Phi Epsilon (ΜΦΕ) is a co-ed international professional music fraternity. Today, Mu Phi Epsilon has chapters both nationally and internationally. The fraternity supports achievement in music through the awarding of grants and scholarships, as well as music competitions, concerts, and summer music programs. Much of this work has been supported by the Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation, an organization that has been in existence since 1963, as well as fundraising and donations.

Pi Kappa Lambda

Aug, 2002

An American honor society for undergraduate students, graduate students, and professors of music. There are currently 205 active chapters and approximately 64,500 individual members.