Piano with Claire R.

I've been teaching piano, cello, voice and theory in Los Angeles for over thirty years, helping students develop their particular interests in music and to encourage them to reach their personal goals. I love the classics and many of my students want to play popular music, contemporary sounds and jazz and that is fine too. I received my BA in music at UCLA and a Master's at Cal State Northridge. I conduct vocal and bell choirs, run a concert series, play chamber music, sing in a band and teach in the Community College District in addition to running my private studio. *** Lesson Details *** My students work on technical skills such as playing scales and chords at the beginning of each lesson since these are the building blocks of the music we wish to play. I expect students to practice but I understand that life is complicated and some days that may mean you only have ten minutes. I try to explain that a little bit every day will help you become a better player rather than working for two hours the day before a lesson. I have lots of good books that I assign that have fun materials with strong melodies. I design everyone's program according to their desires. After a half year, a beginning piano student might expect to be able to play the three essential chords ( the ones that harmonize so many songs) while playing the melody in the other hand. Cellists can expect to be able to play at least four scales, some in two octaves, and understand the notes in the first position within six months. *** Studio Equipment *** Room for parents to wait, dedicated music space, Yamaha piano, great acoustics for singing *** Specialties *** Classical, Popular, Contemporary, Christian