Dallas, TX Music Performance Lessons

Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE).

Over the past six years I have privately instructed over fifty students, many of which have been accepted to prestigious camps and ensembles such as:
- NC Honors Chorus
- Winston-Salem School of the Arts NC
- Syracuse Music Theater Summer Camp, NY
- Summer Theatre Institute at the Julliard School, NY
- US School of Performing Arts, Washington DC
- US School of Performing Arts, New York NY
- Northwestern University National High School Institute Theatre Arts Division IL

With my experience, attention to detail, and ability to bring out the best in each student; I know I can help you achieve your musical goals.

*** Lesson Details ***
I believe that every students has more potential then they realize. My goal is to help bring out their potential while providing a professional, personal, and enjoyable experience. I give my best and I expect my students to do the same.

My background is in classical music and this provides a solid foundation to successfully transition into all genres of music. During a standard lesson, I will begin with vocal warm-ups, sight reading and ear training exercises. The bulk of the lesson will consist of teaching them to sing correctly, melodic expressions, and performance showmanship. 90% of singing is feeling and 10% is technique...meaning you have to feel how things are done with your body correctly to understand and continue to model the correct and safe way to sing any style of music. I finish every lesson with constructive criticism, positive reinforcement, and a quick summary of how to prepare at home for the next lesson.

My teaching philosophy is that a great teacher is measure by the success of their students. I understand that each student learns differently, therefore, I always adjust my teaching style to meet the needs of the individual students.

Yajaira is a Certified
Music Teacher in 75070

*** Studio Equipment ***
The In-Studio lessons are taught in the music study room. The room is semi-acoustical with an 88 semi-weighted keyboard. Seating is available. No pets. Parking on the side of the house or driveway!

*** Travel Equipment ***
I have all types of vocal music books. I prefer that the student provide a piano or keyboard but I own a keyboard and I am willing to bring it if the students do not have one.

*** Specialties ***
My methods of teaching is classical training for all students. This allows my students to be well rounded in all types of genres: from classical, contemporary, to broadway music.

I am a very easy going person and I like to have fun! I strive to be kind and understanding to people, especially students.

Here is what you can expect from a lesson with me:
Kindness
Support
Encouragement
Understanding
FUN

Each lesson is tailored to the student's unique needs. I use music that will suit the student's voice and experience level, and will help the student to improve in certain areas. Also, I allow students to bring in their own music that they would like to work on. I have had students bring in music for upcoming auditions, church solos, and even pieces solely for entertainment.

My lessons are all about doing things right. I focus on correct breathing, posture, etc, and help the student to learn what to listen for and feel in their own voice.

I encourage my students to spend time on their pieces outside of our lesson and emphasize the difference that practice can make. Trust me, I can tell when my students haven't practiced!

Most importantly, I strive to make my lessons enjoyable!

*** THE STUDIO ***

My studio is located at my house in a separate room. I have a keyboard, seating, music library, and a computer with speakers.

We have pets, but they are kept in a different part of the house during lessons.

*** SPECIALTIES ***

I strive to break bad habits, teach correct singing, and establish good technique. I have taught opera and pop styles, though I'm open to anything! My main focus is to get the student to sing correctly and efficiently. After that, style choice can come into play. With the correct technique, you can sing anything!

nd more importantly any song you want to go over.

I feel learning to play your favorite songs is the most important and the most fun about guitar playing. After playing songs, some of the information given (scales, chords, theory, ear-training) starts to make some since and you begin to slowly figure the guitar out.

Theory and Ear-training I feel are very important to learn when trying to understand music. It just gives you a basic mathematical way of understanding how music works. It can be very frustrating to learn and takes some time to sink in so if you don't want to learn it then that is great. Ear-training is cool because when you start to understand it you can actually hear music and not just listen to it. You can listen to a chord progression on the radio and go home and play it and also improvise over it.

I encourage BEGINNERS through EXPERT to at least hear what I have to say. I have A LOT of information to give about the guitar. I played for ten years made 2 demo CDs, one full length album, another demo specifically for Metal Blade Records, was in a big cover band and so I thought I knew it all and was a great guitar player. Then I went to GUITAR SCHOOL in Hollywood and reality hit me.
I wasn't as good as I thought. When you hear the best guitar players in the world everyday for a year and a half like I did at Musicians Institute it makes you want to be better and practice, practice, practice. I learned everything there about guitar and music and I know the Right way to teach.

Please consider me for your guitar teacher I will make it fun and a good learning experience as well.

Thank you,
Ben

*** Lesson Details ***
It depends on what level the student is on and that is where we will go with the lesson. If you are a beginner we will start with the very basics. I try to make it to where you can easily understand everything taught. The most important part of the lesson is you are having fun with playing the guitar and also getting as much information as possible. Upper level students may want to go over a song they are learning or want to know about theory or chords. Usually we will talk about where you are at with your playing and then go from there.

Thanks.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Acoustic and electric guitar PA system, small amplifier for student

*** Travel Equipment ***
Books and paper. They should have guitar and pick

*** Specialties ***
Teaching Rock, metal, country lead, blues, ear training, theory solo improvization. Scales and chords and how they go together. Melodic soloing and chord melody. Can teach out of a book and can read music. But most importantly have fun and learn cool songs

estions or for information. I currently have good openings on Tuesdays from 6:00-6:30PM and Thursdays 5:30-6:30PM. If you are interested in cooking, please send me a message. I am sometimes able to accommodate cooking lessons on Sundays given that they take longer. Thank you!

*** Specialties ***
Classical, Opera, Broadway, Sacred, Art Song, Church Music

Beginning and intermediate piano

io are definitely more beneficial to the student, because I have all my toys here! Besides having all of my other instruments here for demonstrations, or being able to freely change between electric or acoustic guitar for example.
I also find that students who are at home (especially the children) tend to be more distracted, whether it's from lack of privacy due to the area chosen for the lessons, or often (again, this goes especially for the kids) there are pets that they like to play with while I'm trying to talk to them.
When they're guests in my home, however, I find I have their strict attention.

*** Specialties ***
I am primarily a guitar player specializing in electric lead guitar and solo acoustic guitar/vocal performance. I also teach beginner to advanced bass guitar, primarily finger-style.

h beginner to advanced students of any age. I also can provide pro and amateur electric guitarists an in-depth study of correct hand postures and left-hand/right-hand technique which can help to refine their overall technique and stylistic approach. I can also advise professional electric guitarists on their electronics, effects pedals, and amplifiers to achieve their own individual sound. I also teach Bass, and reading the Bass clef.

My teaching specialties include: Solfeggio, Sight Reading, Music Theory, Scales and Modes, Left and Right Hand Technique, Blues Progressions, Jazz Standards the Classical Repertoire, Flamenco styles, techniques and repertoire, and the works of Sor, Giuliani, and Carcassi, Brouwer, Aguado, Villa-Lobos, Sabicas and Paco de Lucia.

I have an in-depth knowledge of the stylistic approaches and techniques of such guitarists as Eric Johnson, Jeff Beck, Joe Satriani, Randy Rhoads, Jimi Hendrix, Robert Fripp, Adrian Belew, and SRV to name a few, and I can teach you the components they use to build their signature licks.

As a rule I only transcribe to give the students examples for lessons. I intend for all of my students to grow as musicians, so my lessons do not consist solely of transcribed solos and riffs.

I have a vast library of music, so I can draw from my own resources to teach you, or from a method of your choosing.

My schedule has a few openings right now. I do teach outside of my stated teaching radius, but ONLY at the 60 minute rate.

I teach people of all ages, from children to adults. I believe everyone is on an even keel, if they are willing and eager to learn.

*** Lesson Details ***
Emphasis on classical posture and technique.
Emphasis on sight-reading.
All students learn to play basic blues and jam
Technique varies depending on the particular style the student wishes to learn.

*** Studio Equipment ***
I presently don't teach in my home studio. I can bring a folding music stand or extra footstool if necessary.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I can provide a limited number of learning materials such as copied exercises, listening or practicing CD on occasion. However, I feel that it is the student's responsibility to provide their own guitars, and the bulf of their own learning materials and necessary electronic equipment. This can include footstools, music stands, method books, amps, cables, pedals, etc.

*** Specialties ***
I've been playing guitar for 25 years, and this has given me the time to study, perform, and perfect many styles of guitar playing.

I studied classical and flamenco guitar with Robert Guthrie for 4 years before and after my studies in the SMU program. I've also played in jazz and rock ensembles since the age of 14. I studied with Chuck Pangburn, pro jazz cat, and Brad McLemore, an indie rock songwriter, early on in my studies as an adolescent.

I encourage most students to learn to play on a classical or nylon-string guitar early on in order to develop proper technique, posture, sensitivity, and sensibility. I also encourage all students to learn to sight-read at a very early point in their studies. Once, this hurdle is cleared many other challenges are easily surpassed.

Presently, I am developing a new method which incorporates solfeggio, blues and popular music forms, and improvisational playing. I also am exploring the vanguard of new guitar technology such as the Moog Guitar, analog effects, and various guitar synthesizers.

I try to introduce an understanding of music theory early on so that students develop a full comprehension of not only the written language of music, but also the sonic-aural language of music.

al needs of each music student. I am well versed at solving problems and helping students thrive and reach their full potential. I think that I do this best by personalizing the instruction experience for each unique situation. I love to encourage students and help them discover the music in them.

*** Lesson Details ***
Like me, students can expect to enjoy the process. Students will discover that I am very encouraging during lessons. I keep everything upbeat and positive. I will help you come up with goals musically. I am very patient, all while coaching you so that you get positive results.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Upright Baldwin piano, electronic keyboard 88 keys, music stands, sitting area for parent, CD/iPod stereo.

*** Specialties ***
Jazz, Gospel, Pop, Classical, Various styles

, but can assist you in making the right choices to navigate your own way in the business. I offer private coaching to actors in theater and film, and singers in the US and abroad. I would love to share my knowledge and experience with you.

*** Lesson Details ***
I offer private coaching to children, teens, adults who have an interest in acting or singing performance, and for those who simply have an interest in performing or speaking in front of others. In addition to coaching those who wish to better their skills in acting, voice and speech, and singing, I also offer coaching for non-actors; i.e., attorneys, business professionals, teachers, politicians, pageant participants, and other creatives, who want to improve their public speaking and communication skills.

*** Studio Equipment ***
High definition, quality camera for video and stills
High quality lighting equipment and MAC monitor
Ideal for video auditions and on-camera classes

*** Travel Equipment ***
High definition, quality camera for video and stills
High quality lighting equipment and MAC monitor
Ideal for video auditions and on-camera classes

*** Specialties ***
Acting for film, TV, theater, and commercials
Audition Etiquette and Technique
Light Career Coaching
Agent Ready Coaching
Voice and Speech
Public Speaking
Neutral American Speech
Singing; including Musical Theater

g, and more. Even piano lessons start with learning chords. Chords are what the musicians play behind the vocals.

Give me thirty minutes of your time and I will show you why students keep coming back to me, even after stopping for a while. After getting to know you, we can move to hour long lessons if warranted.

*** Lesson Details ***
Note Reading provided on request only.

Beginner Guitar - We start with simple chords and eight easy one-verse songs. These teach chords, timing, hand technique, ear training, song construction, and the start of music theory.

Intermediate to Advanced Guitar - all of the above plus tablature, different styles, advanced chord theory, performance, lead guitar, and more.

Beginning Piano - We start with simple chords and go straight into the songs the students like. These teach chords, timing, hand technique, ear training, song construction, and the start of music theory. I can teach you every major chord on piano in one sentence.

Bass Guitar - We start with learning the location of notes on the neck and move immediately into major chords so you can start playing with songs. The chords are divided into their single notes, but viewed as chords because that is what the other musicians are playing during the vocals.

Banjo - I teach from the book "I Can Teach Myself Banjo" but you really need a teacher/mentor to show you all the things that seeing and being able to ask questions covers that just can't be covered in a book.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Piano, amplifiers, cords, computer, free WiFi, all in a spacious room with a window for parents to view the teacher and student. Parents have a large, comfortable waiting area. Restrooms and water fountain provided.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in mentoring, being a friend as well as a teacher. I have never gotten mad at a student and never will.

I have written three books on chord theory, "Chordmaster Chord Theory for Keyboard," "Chordmaster for Beginner Piano Students," and "Chordmaster Chord Theory for Guitar." You can learn more about these online.

You can read my article for Takelessons.com at http://takelessons.com/blog/lead-guitar-tips. Just paste the address in your browser.