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Piano with Tomoko O.

Glendale, California

4.9
(13)
Teaches online
Teaches all skill levels
Age: 10+
Speaks English, Japanese
Teaching since 2011
PhD in Integrated Composition, Improvisation and Technology

    Find your own expression and build solid foundation with Dr. Tomoko

    Lessons are tailored to individual students' interests, needs and personalities. We will discuss your interest whether classical, jazz or pop, and I will walk you through to achieve your goals and most importantly to enjoy playing music! I am also happy to help you with composition, arranging, ear training and music theory. Please feel free to reach out and discuss your interests and goals. I look forward to making music with you!

    Instructor details

    Location:
    Teacher's Studio
    Teacher's Studio
    SEE MAP
    N Columbus Ave Apt B
    Student's Home
    Student's Home
    Teaches Online
    Teaches Online

    Teaching Hours

    Tuesday
    10 AM-12 PM
    1 PM-7 PM
    Wednesday
    10 AM-12 PM
    1 PM-7 PM
    Thursday
    10 AM-12 PM
    1 PM-7 PM
    7:45 PM-8 PM
    Friday
    10 AM-12 PM
    1 PM-6 PM
    Saturday
    10 AM-12 PM
    Times are shown in your local timezone (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
    Pricing
    30 minutes
    $70
    45 minutes
    $90
    60 minutes
    $105

    About Tomoko O.

    4.9
    (13)
    Tomoko has been teaching private lessons in piano, music theory and ear training since 2011, and is currently available to teach lessons at her home studio in Irvine, CA or at your home. Tomoko has helped students find joy and confidence in playing music. She is also able to guide you to play in a healthy manner. She has experience in helping students with learning difficulties and special needs. After having trained classically in Tokyo and London, Tomoko relocated to Boston in 2011, to study jazz composition and performance at Berklee College of Music where she received a diploma in Professional Music in 2014. As an expert in her field, Tomoko always tries to keep student's learning experience fun and motivating, and looks forward to helping new students achieve their goals. She has earned master's degree in performance from Longy School of Music of Bard College, and holds a Ph.D in music from the program ICIT (Integrated Composition, Improvisation and Technology) at UC Irvine. At UCI, she has taught undergraduate ear training course. In April 2022, she was awarded the Ran Blake Foundation "Earobic" Award for her solo piano project. In June 2023, Tomoko joined Steinway & Sons Student Teacher & Educational Partnership Program (STEPs) as a music educator. Tomoko's students will have opportunities to perform at the recital hall in Steinway Beverley Hills Gallery, CA.
    ReviewsWrite a review
    5
    92%
    4
    8%
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    4.9
    13 Reviews
    Josh
    Teacher's studio
    Tomoko is an incredible teacher! Patient, creative, and masterful. I've learned a ton and she always meets me where i'm at.
    Posted Feb 1, 2023
    Chris, Emily And Andrew
    Teacher's studio
    Patient with kids. Good teacher!
    Posted Aug 29, 2022
    Tatiana
    Teacher's studio
    Ms. Ozawa, Is a wonderful teacher. She observes and evaluates a student's skills and then discusses with you areas that need improvement. She teachers students how to use breathing and piano together. Overall I am so happy I found her and was able to learn all the basic from her. I have been to a few other teachers in the past and did not get from them what she taught me. She taught me how to understand music better and how appreciate such a wonderful art.
    Posted Sep 4, 2021
    112233...55Next >Next >

    Experience

    Band leader/pianist/vocalist/composer/arranger

    Sep, 2013 - Present

    Tomoko O.

    As a band leader, Tomoko has been leading her band to perform in various jazz clubs and venues such as The Beat Brasserie, Ryles Jazz Club, Lilypad, and Outpost 186 since 2013. Her premier album "Gentian" that feature poems of Emily Dickinson and instrumental pieces that have elements of impressionism and neo-classical was released in 2015, currently available on iTunes, Amazon.com and spotify. Tomoko has also been participating many recording projects as a pianist and vocalist. As a pianist, she has recorded with Gaia Wilmer's group on Jazz Revelation Records in 2015, and also recorded a disney song for a music application by Sonotation. As a singer, she has collaborated and recorded her original composition as well as pop songs for Music Production and Engineering projects at Berklee College of Music.

    Assistant music teacher

    Sep, 2015 - Jun, 2017

    Saint Peter School Cambridge

    I have been working as an assistant music teacher for 5th and 7th grade students in Cambridge. For 5th grade, we learn music instruments and songs in each period, and play games using songs from that period. For 7th grade, I teach ukulele and basic music theory as well as directing choir.

    Piano Accompanist

    May, 2014 - Jul, 2017

    Boston Conservatory, Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre, Dance Complex

    Provide piano accompaniment for ballet class by spontaneously choosing repertoire from classical, ragtime, jazz and latin music.

    Music Tutor

    Sep, 2011 - May, 2014

    Berklee College of Music

    One-on-one tutoring session in all core music subjects in Berklee (music theory, ear training, and counterpoint) I have helped over 100 students for their harmony or ear training class work, and helped them gain confidence and success. I give them examples to help them understand the concept, and simple exercises to improve their skills. I have worked with students with learning difficulties and special needs.

    Private piano teacher

    Sep, 2011 - Present

    Self-employed

    I have been offering piano, composition, arranging, theory and ear training lessons to students at all ages since 2011. For small children, I mainly focus on having fun in my lessons by singing, clapping hands and using card games to learn notes. For intermediate level students, I give them simple and effective exercises that they can do in a short amount of time to improve their skills. For advanced level students, I first discuss about their goals and interest, and then design our lessons accordingly to achieve their success.

    Education

    Bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts and Political Science

    Apr, 2002 - Mar, 2007

    International Christian University

    PhD in Integrated Composition, Improvisation and Technology

    Sep, 2017 - Dec, 2021

    UC Irvine

    Master's Degree in Modern American Music

    Sep, 2015 - May, 2017

    Longy School of Music

    Diploma in Professional Music (focus in Jazz Composition and Performance)

    Jan, 2011 - May, 2014

    Berklee College of Music

    Certifications

    Grade 8 Piano with distinction

    Sep, 1998

    The Associated Board of The Royal Schools of Music

    Diploma in Professional Music

    May, 2014

    Berklee College of Music

    with a focus in Jazz Composition and Piano Performance

    Awards

    2021-2022 Ran Blake Foundation "Earobic" Award

    Apr, 2022

    Ran Blake Foundation

    Languages

    Japanese

    Native Proficiency

    English

    Native Proficiency

    Private Lessons

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