Private Acoustic Guitar tutoring lessons Benet Lake, WI.

sional flute player, but I chose to learn guitar and singing from her while still keeping up my studies in dance. At the age of 15 I had already performed singing and dancing on television and the radio many times.

When I turned 17 and graduated from high school I spent six months in Australia, Sri Lanka, and India, working with a non profit organization performing tsunami relief work. In India I also gained experience in teaching music and dance to large crowds of little children at the schools, orphanages, and relief camps I visited. Seeing the joy and life that these simple music lessons brought these children is what inspired me to continue studying music and begin teaching.

I turned 18 in 2005 and moved to Seattle to study music at Seattle Pacific University. I specialized in vocals and music technology, while also teaching lessons on the side in both guitar and vocals. During my four years in Seattle I played in several bands, and really developed my skills as a song writer and recording artist. After graduating with my Bachelors degree, I moved to San Francisco in 2009 to pursue my music there and teach children and adults of all ages.

Now I live in Venice California with my bandmate and fiance, where we are signed to one of the top management companies in Los Angeles. It was hard to leave my students that I had in San Francisco, but I am looking forward to having new students to teach and share my passion of music with here in Venice.

*** Lesson Details ***
Music is a universal language, and knows no age limitations, like wise I enjoy teaching students of all ages, 5 years old and up. I believe that music lessons should be challenging and fun, weather you are looking to take lessons with a specific event or goal in mind, or you simply woke up one morning and decided today is the day for you to learn something new and exciting. Depending on the students abilities and personal goals, I create a unique curriculum plan for each individual, and adapt my own teaching methods to the needs of the student. I am a positive and outgoing person, and I use encouragement and hard work on my own part to motivate my students. I have experience in all different genres of music, and I guarantee that after taking guitar or vocal lessons with me for only 3 months, you will have gained confidence and improved leaps and bounds from where we started.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Home studio--- Private magical bungalow right off of Abbot Kinney, equipped with instruments and recording gear.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I can provide a learners guitar, ukulele, and percussion instruments if the lessons are at my own home, otherwise I expect the student to have access to their own musical instrument. For vocal lessons I have various levels of music and songs for every genre, as well as microphones and small amps for rock lessons.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in vocals and song writing, I have professional experience performing and teaching vocal styles from classical to contemporary, opera to rock.
I also specialize in teaching beginning to intermediate guitar and ukulele.

ls. I believe talent is not a factor in learning. Mastering an instrument is the result of effective instruction and step by step guidance toward foundations and skills. I love to teach private lessons because I believe in spreading the word to make the great gift of playing music available to many. It is an inherited right and gift to enjoy a lifetime of personal satisfaction from playing a musical instrument. I love to help students build confidence and make progress. I help them problem solve by going through problems with them. I teach "how to think" and how to become a life long learner of the instrument. I love the challenge of finding ways to help students become successful at every step of the way. I am excited and enthused to be apart of student progress. I am influenced by many 20th Century performers including Van Cliburn, Oscar Peterson, George Shearing, Erroll Garner, Yudi Menuhin, Issac Stern, Dave Brubeck, and Horowitz among others. I am passionate in my teaching about providing an effective solution to my student's needs. I am pleased to announce my teaching has awarded a cello student a spot at Del Sol music high school for the 2017-2018 school year. this student of mine passed an audition January of 2017 as a result of my teaching. The student worked very hard and followed my instruction very well. Congratulations!! I am also pleased to announce two of my cello students have both passed auditions to play in the Las Vegas Youth Orchestra starting in September 2017 and September 2018. They both auditioned during May 2017 and May 2018. Congratulations to both of you!!! I also had a violin student who passed auditions for LVA (Las Vegas Academy) a couple of years ago. I have no connection to these organizations. These students all worked hard and followed my instruction. I can help you learn as well. Recently with the development of "octave" strings, if you have been split between learning violin, viola, or cello; these strings installed on a violin or viola make the instrument sound like a cello. It is really something. They are tuned an octave below, so they sound very low. A lot of cello music will have to be transcribed for owners of these instruments installed with "octave" strings. Videos can be found on YOU TUBE of these instruments played. They are ordinary violins or violas strung up with thicker strings to sound an octave below.

I am a professional educator who works with both children and adults, and has the patience to help them. I am a performer who has over 30 years of public experience in solo playing as well as ensemble work. I have performed at Nordstrom for nine years, and performed at many private functions. I have performed classical as well as jazz music as part as my performance experience. I have taught private lessons for well over 17 years. I'm sorry, as of Summer 2016 I do not travel to student locations. I teach at my studio as well as online. If you are among the many parents who home-school your children, you should consider music lessons for them. There are many benefits of home-schooling, but unfortunately students miss out on specials. Practicing an instrument can make up for that and also teach critical learning habits and personal skills toward learning in general.

*** Lesson Details ***
I believe in personalizing your approach to the strangeness of the instrument. You need to learn much about posture, and proper tone production within the first year. Method books are not "how to" books. You need a teacher to guide you toward becoming familiar with the instrument. You also need to learn how to listen to the sounds you make as you play. To develop "musical independence" you need to become musically literate, develop tone production skills, and internalize a steady beat. Rhythm and tone are basic concepts that must be mastered to maximize pleasure in playing your instrument. Learning how to problem solve is another skill I teach so you can help yourself toward progress.
I believe in using the instrument in daily activities such as playing "Happy Birthday" at family get together. Christmas Songs or Hanukkah Songs can bring much joy during December family parties.
A musician in the house brings much joy during holidays and celebrations; and the families are brought closer together. Memories are created and last forever. Playing an instrument is exciting and expresses what can not be said using words. I believe in teaching students based on their strengths, and building upon them. I am excited to help you learn!!

I only teach in my own studio and online. I do not travel anymore.

You can advance quickly if you are taught to listen to yourself and follow my instruction. I will guide you every step of the way to understand how music making works. Music lessons are fun and enjoyable. I am pleased to guide you through your learning every step of the way. My students in Las Vegas have had much success with my teaching and guidance. I will succeed where others fail. You will reap the benefits of my professional instruction. I bring a wealth of teaching experience, teacher training, and professional playing experience to every lesson. Most music store studio instructors have very little or no teacher training. Playing experience does not make one a helpful teacher. Failure to learn "how to" teach along with not earning any teaching credentials will not make a satisfying music instructor.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Grand Piano 5'1', Digital Piano 88 Keys, Violin, Viola, Bass Guitars ( 5 String Fretless), electric guitar (Fender), Upright Bass 3/4 Size French/German Bows.

*** Specialties ***
Suzuki for string instruments. Thompson, Schaum for piano. Blues, Jazz and " Real Book " for jazz piano as well as Frank Mantooth books for chords. I also create materials to suit individual student needs. Classical Piano Volumes.

ore difficult. I go at the pace you learn best at!

Bass guitar, ukulele, song-writing, counterpoint, orchestrating, arranging, music theory, and composing are subjects I'm well versed in and love to teach to other people.

I'm experienced with all kinds of music software, such as: Pro Tools, Logic, Garage Band, Cubase, FL Studio, Finale, Sibelius. If you want to learn how to write, record, mix, and master your own music, there's never been a better time to learn.

coach for the Grammy Award Winning Pacific Boychoir. I also sang professionally for ensembles such as the San Francisco Symphony Chorus, Clerestory, American Bach Soloists and San Francisco Pocket Opera.

I am currently a vocal instructor for Sweetwater Music Academy, music director for the Jesters (a theatre ensemble for people with developmental disabilities) and I sing for hospital patients as a Parkview Healing Artist. I have taught grade levels K-8 in private schools so I am accustomed to all age levels.

As a songwriter I have composed and performed music for MTV, VHI, E! and the Oxygen Network, and have acted on commercials for Southern Comfort, Old Spice, & Anthem Blue Cross.

I am also the songwriter and front man for the original regional RootsRock band, Fernando T. & The Wickersham Bros and have established myself as a teaching artist for young audiences through the Carnegie Hall Link Up Concert Series.

I look forward any questions you may have and hope to help you or your child find creative fulfillment from the most unique instrument in the world- your voice!

[PLEASE NOTE: I will be teaching exclusively online from June-December 2017 period and am happy to squeeze in as many in in location lessons you would like before then]

and Classical.

ependent and self-sustaining musicians.

ou to play fast and precise.

My goal as a teacher is to develop a strong foundation to allow students to eventually learn songs on their own with ease. I strive to create a fun environment to foster learning and keep students engaged in the task at hand. My schedule is flexible and I am open to lessons at my home, your home, or online. I can't wait to get started!