La Coste Music Lessons

sson plan.
I have a policy to always communicate with my students and parents of students who are children.

****One of my students was a 16 years old virtuoso in classical guitar. He came to me because he never learned how to sight read. Within 6 months he was writing his own music and decided to change his specialty from guitar to piano.
*****Another one of my students was dyslexic and he was told he would never be able to read music but he was reading music and within a few months he was writing it himself.

I look forward to helping you reach your goals! I encourage anyone who is interested in learning to begin lessons with the knowledge that they can eventually create any kind of art they desire.
I continue to perform and create visual art which enables me to sharpen and maintain my skills.

I hope to have an opportunity to meet you soon and I encourage you to ask any questions you have!!!

g around vocal break (Passagio)
-Vocal mixing
-Twang
Each technique can be demonstrated and taught by your instructor in a gradual progression.

These classes are best suited for students who are goal-oriented and who already have proficient knowledge of singing/vocal technique as a recommendation.

ing transitions with chord progressions. I can teach popular music styles from 1920's to Current hits in your chosen styles and genre. 

****About Me****

I love music - so if you love music - we’ll get along great.

I believe every lesson you take gets you closer to being a guitarist.

I know that every time you pick up the guitar, you improve your talent.

I have promoted many concerts.

I was a music DJ on a radio station and am presently a radio Senior Manager.

I taught myself to play guitar. I have gone to school for music.

I have been a teacher all my life.

I have played guitar and vocals in 3 bands and have played in coffee houses, schools and churches for years. I am college trained in voice, performance, music theory, composition, and have played most instruments. I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Music & Communications.

I love to learn as much as I love to teach.
I am a web developer.
I am also doing video production.

*** Studio Equipment ***
I have a tuner, cords, guitar amplifier, on-line computer, and a sitting area if you come with a friend or family. You need to bring your guitar, practice sheets, music journal books, and digital recorder (if you want to record a session).

mance practice, etc. (making such lessons comprehensive)

*** Studio Equipment ***
Everyone needs their own instrument. In my studio, I have to keyboards side-by-side so that the student can both see and hear what I am teaching without ever swapping seats. As for percussion, my practice pad station serves for warm-up rudiments, whereas I have 2 drum-sets facing each other so that again, students can both see & hear what I am doing without needing to spend lesson time switching seats. For all other instruments, I recommend buying new for any brand that is not among the top 3 brands for that instrument...this ensures a working instrument in which to learn from and practice on without necessarily spending top dollar.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I always bring my instrument, metronome, tuner, music stand and stand for my instrument, including lesson materials and supplies.

*** Specialties ***
All genres, all styles & all cultures! I teach students of all ages--mostly at my home studio, but I also travel to students' homes, churches, and, as an alternative during the Summer only, I am willing to meet with students in the Practice Rooms in the Fine Arts Building at UTSA.

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We start by learning how to Play, reading is not the first approach, but will be learned around the 3rd month . Everyone can do it and if you feel you can't, I'll prove otherwise during the first lesson. Afterwards we practice simple techniques and start with simple independence exercises, which feel great. You will be playing a beat with simple independence the first time we try it, which can be during the first lesson and no longer than three lessons afterwards. As you progress with the independence in rock style, we will work in other styles like funk, jazz, Latin, odd meters and African and the main focus will be that you become a great drummer. Whether you are aiming to become a pro or playing as a hobby, you will find great value in these lessons.

*** Studio Equipment ***
I have 11 drum sets, recording gear, guitar and bass amplifiers and a pa system.

*** Travel Equipment ***
His own set. I could also rent them a set if needed, but having their own set is better for me. Sometimes I rented a set to my students in order for them to decide if they wanted to buy one.

*** Specialties ***
I use the Drummers Collective approach. I teach styles such as rock, jazz, funk, Afro-Cuban, pop, Brazilian, etc...

ated an expansive library of teaching material to create a very diverse path when exploring the wonderful world of music. I always try to include a classical piece and a jazz piece in the repertoire. Popular music and original compositions are fun encouraged too!
Whatever your idea of music is, we will build on it, playing pieces you want to play!

THE INSTRUMENTS
A variety of instruments are at our disposal here in the studio, including...

Piano & electric keyboard, acoustic and electric guitars, trumpet & cornet, clarinet, flute, upright acoustic bass, 7-piece drum set & auxiliary percussion.

THE HOUSE
The house is very friendly and comfortable, great with children and families. Lots of natural light! There's a large front porch patio to relax on while you wait with a good book, or you can hang out inside with the siblings watching something on Netflix. I'll even give you the Wifi password ;)

niversity as an academic coach. In this role, I helped students process concerns and create goals regarding developing time management skills, coping strategies for anxiety, study skills, information processing and motivation. These experiences have helped me gain a continually growing understanding of facilitating the learning process with individuals and with groups.

I teach student development classes (critical thinking, motivation theory, study strategies, time management, stress management, etc.) at a local community college, I teach an upper-level learning and development course (views of learning, motivation, the memory process, memory strategies, critical issues in education, etc.) at a local university, and I work as an academic coach at another local university.

As the information above may suggest, I hold education to such a high, passionate regard. It is what promotes a healthy, well-informed society. As an auto-didactic learner, I believe that everyone has the ability to learn anything one desires. It is a matter of how one approaches it. Therefore, my approach is one that is peculiar to each of the individuals I work with.

I present concepts with the idea that the combination of experience, discourse, and meaning-making is the key to learning. This aside from my teaching tools based on the views of learning. With an aversion towards cookie-cutter approaches, I maintain an open mind to my invariably evolving approach of sharing knowledge and insight with others. This comes with my continual seeking of growth in the art of teaching with consideration of the process of learning. Further, I strive to create a warm, positive atmosphere that allows one to feel comfortable with making mistakes, with making progress and with being themselves. Fundamentally, this is my approach to working with people.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT COACHING: Using my insight gained as a counseling student, I am happy to offer my personal development coaching service. In this role, I help individuals develop their path of change, making sure motivation and focus is well-maintained. I provide a judgment-free and understanding atmosphere for one to reflect and process concerns as well as work towards making personal changes (e.g. self-actualization, career, anxiety management, lifestyle, life changes) from an existential perspective. I believe that such a space should be available for everyone, so I am especially happy to provide it.

My approach to personal development coaching is based on my therapeutic orientation called Gestalt Therapy (GT). The underlying idea of GT is that awareness is the key initiator of change. Awareness allows one to discern where such things as anxiety, unhappiness, ambivalence, etc. stem from. I believe that it is important for every human being to go through such a process so that peace and awareness within brings peace and awareness to the outer world. I am inspired by and influenced by the ideas of Carl Jung (Analytical Psychology- particularly the Psychological Types) and Carl Rogers (Client-Centered Therapy). I help facilitate the process in a genuinely humane, empathic and professional manner. If interested, please, see the details I have provided under Life Coaching. I work with grade school students and adults. I am absolutely loyal to the idea of confidentiality; therefore, I ensure that information of anybody I work with is not at risk of being shared with a third party.

ACADEMIC COACHING/STUDY SKILLS: Using my passion for education and my insight gained in my few years (so far) immersed in the world of education, I help students (grade school and college) develop areas of their academic life needing improvement. As suggested above, I help students develop time management, learning strategies, coping strategies for anxiety, and motivation (i.e. help them to see the value of learning). Though it is a valuable tool, it is presently not a service that is offered at most schools in the area.

WRITING: As a lover of reading and writing, I understand the value of expressing thoughts, feelings and ideas. As a writer, my focus is on creative writing (mostly short stories presently) and essays. Given my undergraduate and postgraduate experiences, I have written many academic papers, in APA format and in MLA format. I edit and revise papers as well as help individuals develop their writing voice, develop their ideas, develop an approach to structuring writing, maintain consistency with writing and provide genuine feedback. Beyond that, my help with writing is limited to the goals of the the individual.

TWO IMPORTANT THINGS: I strive to maintain a positive collaboration with those I work with. I believe this is one of the most important parts of the process. Also, I promote the idea of Soul. To me, Soul is any sincere display of passion. With Soul, we perform in a most genuine and graceful way. I personally believe that whether one is playing the piano, writing a story, living life, singing, giving a speech or anything (necessarily peaceful), one should do it with Soul.

LASTLY, I am open to: Going beyond my travel radius, at an agreed-upon adjusted rate; working with multiple students, at an agreed-upon adjusted rate; meeting at a public place that is convenient, if it is preferred; and meeting at a student's location, depending on the preferred time and the distance.

I mentioned everything that is above so that it may be known and understood. Feel free to send me a message if you have questions about any of the services I provide, my approach or anything!

PEACE BE WITHIN YOU

ut with another music instructor every chance we get. Music is a great relief and enjoyment that I want to share with as many people as I can. I am currently in college getting my Bachelors degree in History with a minor in Music.

ug, Watts Ensemble, Marcus Very Ordinary, Thelonious Monster, Bucketfunk, Tawali, Soul Turtle and many others. His solo projects are released under the name MuscleMouth. John Lugo is also a composer in the classical medium. Albums and sheet music are available through E-TIP Records and E Tú Productions Ltd. John aka MuscleMouth is a former Band President of Judson High School in Converse, TX.
BM Composition and Theory, Cum Laude
UTSA 2004