Fresno Music Lessons

Xavier University University Chorus; 2004-2009; Xavier Concert Choir; 2004-2009; Vocalist with Recording Artist: Josh Jones Nu Horizon, New Orleans, Louisiana; Vocalist with Recording Artist: Bishop Alvin Davis & Company, Baldwin, LA; Greater St. Stephan Gospel Choir and Praise Team; Background Studio Vocalist for Ebony Lockett (2009), Community of Faith Praise Team, 2012-2013

Currently, I sing at many venues and with various groups throughout Houston area. In addition to all of this, I also perform a great deal of gospel music on the praise team at the Community of Faith.

As you can see I have a great deal of experience and expertise different genres, and I look forward to sharing my knowledge with my students.

*** Lesson Details ***
To my future students:

I sit down at our first lesson to make a Custom Lesson Plan for what you want to study and goals you want to achieve.

I want to help you reach your goals and make you happy as a singer, so I am open to teach you anything no matter how little/much experience you have.

Next, we will pick a fun area to work on, and a challenging area to conquer. For example: we will work on a fun song then we will work on reading and/or rudiments.
I am also very patient and flexible to those students whom have special needs, or need to accelerate at a slower pace.

“Words make you think a thought. Music makes you feel a feeling. A song makes you feel a thought.”- E.Y. Harburg

*** Studio Equipment ***
Living room: keyboard, stands, music books, additional seating for parents.

Vocal Studio: Practice room, piano/keyboard, music stands, chairs; waiting area with television for parents/guests; security system; recording equipment

*** Specialties ***
CLASSICAL MUSICAL, GOSPEL, NEO-SOUL, JAZZ

ul journey into music!

*** Lesson Details ***
I truly have fun making and teaching music. We celebrate all successes. Even the overcoming of the smallest "hiccups"!
There are games to make my students secure with the many concepts of music reading. I encourage improvisation and ensemble playing. We can add rhythm tracks to "jazz" up our scales and finger builders. Students can accompany with chords or melodic harmonies. I assign exercises to build finger flexibility, strength, fluidity and independence; Pencil work to master theory and reading skills; Pieces that contain the ideas we are focused upon; and pieces to add to your repertoire.

*** Studio Equipment ***
At my Home Studio,You will be playing on my 5'1" Knabe grand piano! I also have electronic keyboards. On occasion you may find yourself playing on my marimba - a definite pitch percussion instrument - like a giant xylophone. We often rehearse our rhythms on my variety of world drums! There are chairs available for guests.
Also, I share my home with my pet cats - so if you are allergic, I'd be happy to consider coming to your home for your lessons.

*** Travel Equipment ***
An electronic keyboard with full-sized keys or a tuned piano must be available along with a proper height stool, bench or chair. A music stand for the books and good lighting is also needed. The family must agree that the 'lesson space' deserves to be quiet with no distractions. I can also bring one of my keyboards to use for duets, accompanying and improvising. Should there be another student (or potential student) in the home, they can use the extra keyboard with headphones for guided practice and creativity. Percussion students - primarily- mallets, would be better served at my home using my marimba. However, those who have bell kits could be taught in their home, with the possibility of using my marimba as an incentive.

*** Specialties ***
I am fortunate to have an extensive collection of piano method books and solos that I make available as part of my lending library. From it I can reinforce a concept or reward an accomplishment with an "oldie, but goodie" from John Thompson or Schaum, without having to charge the parents for another piece. For my beginning piano students of elementary school age, I have used the Robert Pace, Bastien, Faber & Faber and Schaum series. With adults, I invite them into the decision depending on what their experience is and what they would like to be able to perform one year from now. With transfer students, I have asked them to play their favorites from the lesson books they own, (and I ask them to evaluate their proficiency)- then we discuss where to go from there. Often it is positive to stay at the same level but use different literature so they can become comfortable with my style of explanations and expectations. This encourages a relationship where the student feels like they do know what they were taught and 'cements' those skills as a foundation for our moving forward together. I have a CD player handy for the books that include recorded tracks to go along with a learned piece.

est soloist at the “Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes” and the “Festival Internacional de Música Contemporánea M.Enríquez” in Mexico City, with the Boca del Rio Philharmonic Orchestra (Mexico), Oaxaca Symphony Orchestra, Aguascalientes Symphony Orchestra (Mexico), Puebla Symphony Orchestra (Mexico), Guanajuato Symphony Orchestra (Mexico), and Heredia Symphony Orchestra (Costa Rica).

As a soloist my most important recent activities include the American premiere of the chamber version of the opera DeCachetitoRaspado by Juan Trigos at the Rialto Center for the Arts in Atlanta with Bent Frequency Ensemble (2015). By the same composer, has been remarkable my participation as a guest soprano in the world premier and recording for iTinerant of the works Cantata Concertante No. 3 Phos Hilaron (2013), and Symphony N. 4 Nezahualcoyotl Icuicahuan (Songs of Nezahualcoyotl) for soprano and orchestra, with texts in Nahuatl by Nezahualcoyotl (2016), and also my participation as a guest soloist with the orchestra Carlos Chávez in Mexico City and at the Eastman School of Music of Rochester, NY. As a chorister I sing with the Houston Chamber Choir since August 2016 and occasionally with the Houston Grand Opera since January 2017.

I studied voice in Italy with M.Trombetta and specialized with Paolo Barbacini, C. Desderi, T.Krause and M.Sighele in opera repertoire, E.Battaglia and L.Gallo in German Lieder, and Dorothy Dorow in interpretation of first XXth Century repertoire.

1 Music Theory “Note Names, Fingering Notes,” Trumpet Book, Fun Song,
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As for Junior High/High School or Adults level I will help them with anything they are learning in the school band like "etudes, solo's scale's or anything they bring to the lessons. For trumpet players, I well use any books they are using in school band or a book I think they may need based on their level; I will let them use my book also with the encouragement to bring any music they like or love. I will always make lessons fun and educational.

* Age 10 – 13: Music Theory “Base on their level,” Trumpet Book, Exercise Book “Long Tone, Lip slur/Tonguing,” Piece, Fun Song and Major/Minor scales. I try to also do anything they need to work on for school/band.
* Age 14 – Adults: I base it on the level of the student, Music Theory “Base on their level,” Trumpet Book, Exercise Book “Long Tone, Lip slur/Tonguing,” Piece, Fun Song, any etudes and Major/Minor Scales. I try to also do anything they need to work on for school/band.

*** Piano Lesson Details ***

For the younger students I enjoy teaching them the name of the letters and the placement of their hands on the piano. My teaching aides include, colors, name games, color pages, flashcards along with songs I have composed or will buy for them. I always encourage students to play any song they like.

* Age 4 – 7: Basic Music Theory color pages, Lesson Book, Fun Song and Games
* Age 8 – 9: Level 1 Music Theory, Lesson Book, Technical Book, Fun Song.
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For those in Junior High/High School or Adults level I will teach them at their level and speed with tempo, rhythm and some basic music theory. As for piano students, I well go
ahead and purchase a book they need based on their level.

* Age 10 – 13: Music Theory “Base on their level,” Lesson Book, Technical Book, Finger/Hand Exercises, Piece, Fun Song and Major/Minor scales
* Age 14 – Adults: I base it on the level of the student, Music Theory “Base on their level,” Lesson Book, Technical Book, Finger/Hand Exercises, Piece, Fun Song and Major/Minor Scales/Chords

*** Specialties ***

I have published a beginners trumpet book.

I specialize in church music, mariachi, concert and jazz band, orchestra, classical and/or symphony music on the trumpet.

I specialize in church music, classical, orchestra, symphony and/or pop on the piano.

I started to learn music at the age of 10. I have minored/self-taught myself in sing alto, guitar, handbells, organ, voice, percussion and french horn for approximately eight years. I enjoy learning and teaching music to others.

*** Travel Equipment ***

I am able to travel to your house. I have a portable piano keyboard for anyone that does not have one but I do expect the parents to invest in some type of piano and/or keyboard. I can also provide the books they will need.

ns, and Pony Up.

When I have free time I volunteer with the Houston Chapter of Girls Rock Camp to help teach girls empowerment through songwriting and music.

*** Lesson Details ***
I began teaching as an afterschool job when I was 16. I was homeschooled, so I feel that the experience taught me that everyone learns differently and that there is not just one standardized method to playing music.

My teaching style varies with each student, but the one constant is my ability to make each and every client I encounter completely fall in LOVE with music. It's my super power.

Lesson plans are tailored for your specific needs and to help you achieve your musical goals and aspirations at your desired pace. I enjoy my students and making music with them.

Here is an overview of the lessons that I provide.

Guitar:
Finger Picking, Song Writing, Rhythm, Lead, Scales,Modes & Ear Training.

Songwriting and composition: Learn techniques, how to brain storm and plot your musical story line. This class pairs great with vocal lessons or guitar lessons.

Bass:
Scales, Rhythm, Beginner and Advanced song structure, Ear Training

Ukulele :
Technique, Intro to Chords, Ear Training, Strumming patterns - Ukulele is one of my favorite classes to teach. You simply can not help but smile when playing this instrument!

Vocals :
Breathing techniques, Scales, Harmonizing

tate University, located in Kent, OH, and I earned my Bachelor's degree in Music Education. I'm definitely a fun-loving, outgoing person, and my teaching style is tailored to my students; a think-outside-the-box style, and hands-on.

Let's get together, reach for those stars, and grab your goals!

ain better hand dexterity.

If you need help with getting your scales down and memorized, how to practice your rhythm and timing with a metronome, playing your favorite blues licks, understand the importance of chord progressions and how to use that as a tool to make your own songs, I can easily say I am the man for the job!

I hope to be your instructor in the near future!

ter, and school chorus auditions. As a successful soloist and vocal instructor, I pride myself in teaching proper technique, nurturing each student's vocal development, helping singers develop a true love of music, and gaining an appreciation of their unique vocal gifts. Many of my vocalists learn the skills of reading music by learning keyboard and basic theory through piano lessons, which I am also able to teach.

With a creative and personable teaching style, I am able to connect with each student where they need to be met. My students of all ages see an immediate improvement when applying the techniques that I share with them. Focusing on healthy vocal production, good breath support, and proper techniques of support and vowel placement, I am able to help students reach their musical goals through vocal exercises and drills, direct application to selected music, and assigned home practice between lessons. After learning the basics of vocal production, we can further focus on interpretive elements of the songs and students will feel the rewards of making beautiful music with their own free and unique sound.