I cherish all my students - both young & wise. I love watching them learn & grow and love to bring out aspects of their potential that was previously undiscovered. Everyone has music in their soul to express.
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I didn't plan to be a teacher. It just sort of came naturally and grew out of loving what I do. I have been teaching since 2004. I earned several music certificates from Orange Coast College, however, most of my development as a teacher has come from reading, workshops, talking to other teachers, and real world experience.
The JourneyMy upbringing consisted mostly of classical music and opera. I started learning piano at age 6 and expanded to playing the oboe, flute, and clarinet as I became more proficient at music. My classical background gave me a solid foundation in the technical fundamentals of playing music and notation literacy.
Later in life, however, I found it difficult to expand outward to other forms of popular music - I was trained to read music, but not how to use chords and creativity to build a song. This sent me on a mission to learn the other side of playing - where notes are replaced by chords and the emphasis is on being able to play by ear and explore sound. I enrolled in every type of music class I could find so I could understand how music works (jazz improvisation, songwriting, theory, composition, orchestration, musicianship, recording, etc). I joined bands and attended workshops. Over time, I found that the information needed to start playing songs and enjoying the freedom of music was very simple in concept and endless in possibilities. About TeachingI like to mix the best of both worlds in my teaching. It is important for my students to be literate - to be able to read and write standard notation. It is equally important that my students know how to read simple chords and learn how to use them in their favorite songs.
A big part of teaching is programming the mind to tackle problems and challenges in creative ways. When a difficult part of a song becomes frustrating or a project loses it's excitement there are definite ways to structure a winning attitude and perseverance. It is not always a smooth sailing road, but the skills learned through consistency will show in all areas of life. I love my program and I love my students. My favorite part of teaching is working with different personalities - little people & big - and showing them how to explore themselves through the musical side of life. A Little About Me PersonallyI am happy, carefree, and a little eccentric. I live with my Amazon parrot, Buddy, my dove, Precious, and my cat, Petunia. My home is definitely eclectic and is my pride and joy. It is also my biggest art project. I feel very blessed because it was given to me by a neighbor who passed away. He was a dear friend and a brilliant poet.
A wide variety of interests that keep me excited about life. I love everything artistic and find that a lot of our daily lives include things that are artistic in nature. I especially love going to museums, sharing art (of every kind), cooking, gardening, reading, home improvement, riding my bicycle/walking to the beach, traveling to historic sites, spirituality, and of course music. I play in a classic rock band. We've been together 9 years! They've become like my family. I also enjoy playing classical music because it is like gymnastics for the fingers, and it forever challenges me to new levels. My listening tastes are mostly centered around classic rock, alternative, and singer-songwriters. Currently working on remastering my parts for band, improving my songwriting skills, and creating new tools to offer my students, keep me passionately inspired. |
Adults & Seniors Welcome
It is never too late to do something you have never done before! How to Buy an
Electric Keyboard The Student Album Reward Program is an ongoing program that encourages my students to track their musical growth & celebrate their accomplishments through creating their own music albums. This program is for all ages and levels! [Read More]
POP / ROCK SONGS
(here are some of the songs my students learned this year) * * * * * Piano Man - Billy Joel Fairytale - Sara Barielles Moondance - Van Morrison Nothing Else Matters - Metallica Wipe Out - The Sufaris Surfin' Safari - The Beach Boys Old Time Rock n' Roll - Bob Segar Let It Be - The Beatles Just Give Me A Reason - Pink Animal - Neon Trees When I Was Your Man - Bruno Mars Desperado - The Eagles Dynamite - Taio Cruz Clocks - Coldplay |