About
I offer a free 1/2 hour trial lesson! Contact me if interested
Hi, I'm Katarina I am a recent graduate in music from UC Irvine. I graduated with magna cum laude. Before that, I transferred from Pasadena City College where I was an honors student and graduated with an AA in Music. At PCC, I won several music awards, including the Robert Westerbeck scholarship, Honors in Music, the Old Town piano competition, and the Piano Accompanying Award and the Tierney Scholarshp.
I am currently studying with Nina Scolnik, a Juilliard graduate and fantastic piano pedagogue. I am working on pursuing my Master's in piano pedagogy from CSU Fullerton.
I have over 4 years experience teaching students of all ages and levels. During that time I have taught over 45 students.I have a studio in Arcadia and Irvine. I can travel to students homes or they can come to my studio.
I also have a profile on take lessons where I have uninamous 5 star reviews. https://takelessons.com/provider/profile/reviews
At any of my lessons, students will learn the basics, such as correct posture, hand position, scales, sight reading and theory. For more advanced students, you will learn how to sight read more effectively, playing with expression, and how to understand the deeper meaning behind the notes.
My ultimate goal is to get my Master's in Music Education and be the best teacher I can be.
Highlights
Reviews
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I first figure out their playing ability by asking them to play something that they are working on. If they are a continuing student, we will talk about our goals that we want to accomplish.
If they have never played piano, then I select the right lesson book for them. The first things we will learn are correct sitting and hand posture, note reading, and the basic fundamentals of piano like finger numbers.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
UC Irvine- BA in Music. Dean's Honors. I accompany student singers during their lessons.
Pasadena City College - Associates. Won the Robert Westerbeck Scholarship, Old Town piano competition, Piano Accompnaying Award, Freshman Honors, Honors in Music THeory, Honors in Music
Accompanied two singers for the LA Unified School District Celebrate Music Festival.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
$35 an hour if student's come to my studio.
$40 if I go to their home
How did you get started teaching?
I was referred by a friend of my parent's. They referred me to other students and that is how my teaching network grew.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with students who have a learning disability. They are progressing very well at the piano. We work together
I also have very senior students who are very eager. They are very happy with their progress.
I have helped students wwho are takig the ABRSM test. I currently am helping one student.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
When I went overseas and was still able to help my student get their ABRSM forms mailed and sent off. It was a bit tight but we able to.
Now this student is working forward to the ABRSM tests at the end of the year.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Look out for teacher's who do not teach you how to read notes. There are many teachers who let student's write notes down in their books. Bad!
Do not only consider the level of education of the teacher. There can be bad teachers who have doctorates.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Does the teacher teach note reading?
Does the teacher seem like they know what they are talking about?
Does the teacher have the fire or are they going through the motions?