About
My diverse musical background brings experience and wisdom to the choices made in a student's development at the piano. I work toward making the student self-sufficient, reducing dependency on the teacher over time.
PRIVATE PIANO AND KEYBOARD INSTRUCTION: 1994 - PRESENT
• Real-world training from an experienced, insightful and supportive teacher.
• Free initial consultation available at Valley Village studio.
• Cutting-edge piano books and materials.
• All ages and experience levels welcome.
• In-home instruction available.
• Gift Certificates also available.
• No registration fees.
• Tuesday - Friday, 10 am - 9 pm PST
• $50 to $75 depending on lesson length (30, 45, 60 minutes), at my studio.
• Electronic music, synthesis, recording and MIDI instruction also available!
PRESIDENT - WEHRLI PUBLICATIONS AND MUSIC STUDIO: 1994 - PRESENT
Wehrli Publications has dedicated its efforts to researching and developing a new holistic approach to piano and keyboard instruction. Company founder Barry Michael Wehrli has released several cutting-edge piano products over the years, some co-authored with his wife, Linda. These materials can be found at the Wehrli Publications website, Amazon and select retailers. Barry uses these materials in his own teaching practice to enhance all facets of musical training and ensure long-term success. In 2014 Barry released his collection of original, Neo-Romantic piano works, the "Book of Preludes:1-15 for Piano", in print and in 2016 released his recordings on CD, Amazon, iTunes, Spotify, CD Baby and other digital distributors.
PIANIST & KEYBOARDIST: 1985 - PRESENT
2018 to present - Keyboardist with Forever Rod: A Tribute to Classic Rod Stewart.
2010 to present - Keyboardist for Diamond Is Forever!: The Neil Diamond Experience.
2006 to 2018 - Keyboardist for Hot August Nights: A Tribute to Neil Diamond.
1997 to 2003 - Keyboardist and guitarist for Top40 band Van Gogh's Ear.
1995 to 1998 - Keyboardist for variety artist Bennie G, Jr.
1994 to 1996 - Keyboardist for Top40 band The Providers.
1989 to 1991 - Keyboardist and composer for contemporary jazz group High Maintenance.
1985 to 1988 - Keyboardist for original pop band Ethan.
1985 to 1990 - Concert manager, lighting tech and artist assistant at Cal State University, Northridge.
Music touches the soul. When a person truly connects with music, you can see the reaction, inside and out. I enjoy facilitating that reaction through the piano and keyboard instruments!
Specialties
Years experience
Able to read music
Lesson length
Student's age
Student has instrument
Interested musical styles
Photos and videos
Reviews
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
1) Assess the student's strengths and weaknesses, 2) determine short and long-term goals, and 3) help the student develop great practice habits to achieve those goals quickly.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
My formal music instruction began at the age of eight on the piano, taking private piano lessons from Delores Rhoads, owner of Musonia School of Music in North Hollywood, California. Here, we would build the foundation for my musicianship over the next seven years. During that time, I also gained an interest in guitar, studying both acoustic and electric guitar at Musonia for nearly five years. Through my high school and college years, I taught myself the ins & outs of synthesis and electronic music. I studied under Dr. Sandra Bostrom at Cal State University, Northridge and afterwards with renowned pianist Terry Trotter and ace keyboardist John Novello and have since performed in the United States, Canada and Europe. Today, I continue to teach, perform and produce music at my home studio and head Wehrli Publications.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Lessons at my studio are $50 to $75, depending on length (30, 45, 60 minutes). In-home rates vary based on distance.
How did you get started teaching?
In 1994, I decided to make music my livelihood and began promoting both piano and keyboard instruction, along with performing in various local groups, and began creating a series of holistic piano instruction books with my wife and fellow piano instructor, Linda Wehrli.
What types of students have you worked with?
I teach students ages 6 and up and all experience levels from beginner through under-graduate collegiate. Visit http://wehrlipubs.com/lessons/ for more information.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Find out his/her teaching method(s), quality of communication (in an interview), and determine whether the teacher truly wants to make YOU a competent piano/keyboard player. Avoid any teacher that just "shows you the song"; mimicry is only a disservice to your goal of becoming a real musician. Whether music is a vocation or hobby, go for professional training.