Lesson Details
Guitar
- Levels Taught:
- Beginner, Intermediate
Summer teaches
About
- Teaches students:
- Ages 5+ and special needs
- Teaching since:
- January 2009
I believe that the most important aspect of teaching music is creating a positive and individualized learning environment while simultaneously teaching the necessary technique and knowledge to play your instrument both successfully and confidently.
Above all, our lessons will focus on reaching your musical potential. Curriculum for our lessons will draw from variety of methods and aspects of music education. These include music theory, ear training, sight-reading, body mapping, technique, improvisation skills, arranging, and composition. I place a great emphasis on learning repertoire from a variety of genres of music.
Students will have the opportunity to share what they learn at spring and winter recitals and to participate in group lessons on a regular basis.
I have 9 years of experience teaching piano, guitar, music theory, and ear training to students of all ages, levels, and musical backgrounds, including students with special needs.
I am currently completing my Masters degree at University of California, Irvine. Prior to my graduate studies, I was based in New York City, where I ran a private music studio, performed throughout the city with my jazz quintet, and worked as an accompanist and musical director. I graduated with honors from Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA with degrees in Performance and Audio Engineering.
Feel free to send me a message if you have any questions about lessons or scheduling!
Experience
Music educator
Jan 2009 - PresentTeaching music theory, piano, guitar, and audio engineering.
Music director
May 2016 - May 2018Worked as musical director, accompanist, and pianist for events band, performing at corporate events, charity fundraisers, and private parties throughout the Greater New York City area.
Piano and Guitar Faculty
Sep 2014 - Sep 2017Piano Faculty
Sep 2013 - May 2016Teaching and designing curriculum for private lessons and music classes in elementary schools to children aged 5 and older.
Education
Masters of Fine Arts in Music
Aug 2018 - PresentB.M. Music Production and Engineering
Sep 2010 - May 2013B.M. Music Performance
Sep 2010 - May 2013Languages
English
Affiliations
Society for Ethnomusicology
Nov 2017SEM is a U.S.-based organization with an international membership of approximately 1,750 individuals dedicated to the study of all forms of music from diverse humanistic and social scientific perspectives. We examine music as central to human experience throughout space and time, and explore its profound relationship to cognition, emotion, language, dance, visual arts, spiritual belief, social organization, collective identity, politics, conflict and peace, economics, the physical body, and mental health. Through SEM programs and the work of our individual members, we seek to advance academic and public understanding and appreciation of music as a cultural phenomenon of unlimited variety and as a resource that is fundamental to the well being of individuals and communities.
+ Read MoreAmerican Musicological Society
Nov 2017The American Musicological Society is a membership-based musicological organization founded in 1934 to advance scholarly research in the various fields of music as a branch of learning and scholarship; it grew out of a small contingent of the Music Teachers National Association and, more directly, the New York Musicological Society (1930-1934).
+ Read MoreAudio Engineering Society
Jun 2013Established in 1948, the Audio Engineering Society, Inc. (AES) draws its membership from amongst engineers, scientists, other individuals with an interest or involvement in the professional audio industry. The membership largely comprises engineers developing devices or products for audio, and persons working in audio content production. It also includes acousticians, audiologists, academics, and those in other disciplines related to audio. The AES is the only world-wide professional society devoted exclusively to audio technology.
+ Read MoreBerklee College of Music Alumni
May 2013The Berklee Alumni Affairs Office embraces the college’s alumni as valuable members and vital stakeholders in a lifelong, global community. We strive to foster and strengthen alumni engagement in meaningful and innovative ways that support the interests and goals of alumni in their professional and personal pursuits.
Guided by the college’s mission, we seek to build a sense of shared community, pride, professional achievement, volunteerism, philanthropic support, and commitment to Berklee. We celebrate and applaud our alumni as they seek to improve the world around them through their creative pursuits.
Photos & Videos
26 Reviews
Write a ReviewAmazing she’s perfect. Learned all I need to know. Can’t wait for future lessons to get so much better. Truly greatful
I'm taking basic recording with Summer, She is excellent,
knowledgeble and easy talk to. Marcus
Summer is fantastic. We first had her as an in-home instructor in Manhattan, and now that she has moved to California, we have her online. She is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about music, has introduced the kids to different genres, music theory and online music practice apps to keep them engaged and learning. She gives them homework "listening assignments" to help develop their ear for music. The kids have grown so much in their love of music and their ability to sight-read, play and understand music theory.
+ Read MoreSummer is the best! She has taught my children throughout their middle childhood into their teens and during this time has introduced them to many different genres of music, which they have particularly enjoyed. In that way, she has not only taught them to play the piano excellently but has instilled in them an appreciation for music. In addition to being super-nice, patient, open-minded and very well organized, she challenges her students ceaselessly and pushes them to reach their potential. She employs a variety of different teaching methods and adjusts her style to the learner in front of her. My children related to her extremely well and they loved her.
Highly recommend
Summer is one of the best piano teachers I ever had. She makes learning piano really fun and is extremely patient with her students. It was sometimes a challenge taking lessons on a consistent basis due to my work schedule but we always managed to get around it somehow. I really enjoyed my lessons and feel that they have helped improve my skills tremendously. Thanks Summer!!
+ Read MoreWe have had the pleasure of having Summer as a piano teacher for two kids and a parent. She is an outstanding teacher! Summer knows how to judiciously adapt to the different traits of the students (young or old), and to bring out the immense joy of learning to play an instrument.
+ Read MoreSummer has been my teacher for about a year. It was a wonderful learning experience for me. She inspired me to work hard and I learned so much. Jazz, bossa, the blues and standards were the genre's we worker on. She taught me how to clap to get my timing down. Great person and a skilled instructor!!!!
+ Read MoreSummer is such a great teacher! I’d taken piano lessons as a kid and wanted to return to it as an adult and I’m so glad I did! She really tailors the lessons to focus on the type of songs I’m interested in playing but also puts a real emphasis on learning the basics of theory to build off of for future songs. Highly recommend!!
+ Read MoreMy daughter Isabella has been taking guitar lessons with Summer for the last 3 years and we all love her.
She is a dedicated and loving teacher. She is the reason why Isa loves and enjoys music.
Summer has been teaching my 3 children piano for over a year and a half, she has helped them grow as musicians and showed them a love for playing. I love over-hearing their lessons as she always begins by asking them about their day, she is truly kind and delightful. My children are 17, 14, and 10 and they have tremendous respect for her. She has taught each of them at their individual level and customized their lessons accordingly. Summer's musical knowledge and talent seem endless. She never ceases to impress us.
+ Read MoreI’m a 50+ year old that’s been working with Summer for three years studying music theory. She is a talented musician and passionate educator that has helped me advance my knowledge in ways that I never thought possible.
Summer was great! She kept the interest of my son in the lesson and got a lot done. She was very positive and upbeat and reallly seemed to have a great rapport with kids.
She is great with my special needs son very patient and laid back. Which is what he needs. Highly recommend her.
Summer is a wonderful teacher. She has all the necessary attributes...so pleasant and patient, very kind and thoughtful, explains points with clarity, offered helpful ideas to assist me in overcoming my stumbling blocks. All in all, I am so happy to have her as my teacher, and I know I will reach my goal with her at my side.
+ Read MoreI THINK YOU ARE A GREAT TEACHER PLEASE WROTE ME DIRECT SO WE CAN TALK BETTER OK TINABRUCE4REAAL@GMAIL.COM
Summer was a well organized instructor, highly skilled at adapting a lesson to the level of the student, which in my case was very low. She was thorough in her instructions, and provided detailed explanations as well as suggestions to increase the ability to grasp and retain the material. The material she crafted to leave behind for practice seems appropriate to build skills and confidence. Overall, an excellent instructor.
+ Read MoreA knowledgable musician. Summer has gone to College for music and you can sense this right away.
Summer is fantastic. Wonderful with our children. Great patience. She crafts a tailored yet demanding curriculum.
Summer is such a fantastic, experienced teacher! She is wonderful with teaching children who are brand new to piano (mine are aged 6 and 8), and who are across the spectrum of motivation. She tailors the lesson to their ability and finds fun ways to teach note-reading, rhythm and music theory. Already my kids have jumped in their music skills. I couldn't recommend her more highly.
+ Read MoreSummer is a fantastic teacher. As a not-quite-beginner who has been frustrated by teachers in the past that always seem disappointed by my progress or adhere too strictly to a specific teaching methodology, Summer has been a breath of fresh air. She's an exceptionally talented pianist, has guided me through some pieces i couldn't hope to have negotiated on my own, and I'm already seeing the benefits of her guidance on technique and musical theory. Genuinely the best piano teacher I've had.
+ Read MoreVery knowledgeable teacher! Im looking forward to my future lessons!
Summer is wonderful! She figured out very quickly exactly what we needed to work on to get to my goals. She is friendly and on time. Highly recommended.
Summer is the best. Always prompt, super positive and incredibly helpful.
Summer has been a great teacher
I used to play piano, but hadn't played in about 8 years. I decided to start up again and Summer has been great at getting me back into the swing of things at a good pace. Highly recommended!
Fantastic Instructor
Summer is an outstanding guitarist and a phenomenal teacher. She goes above and beyond to tailor lessons to my own musical liking and goals. She is extremely patient and really sets a tone that is conducive to learning.
Wonderful Experience
Summer was an excellent instructor. This was my first time learning any instrument and I have no background in music. Summer was very patient and helpful guiding me through the basics. She's also great at molding lessons for the student and made sure I was learning exactly what I wanted. I was waiting a long time to start taking lessons, but so glad I did. I highly recommend Summer as an instructor!