About
My years of professional experience as a performer, my patient warm personality, and training as a Simply Music educator make me a perfect trifecta to ensure my students develop a solid repertoire of 35-50 songs in their first year.
I love being able to actually see the results that my students get from week to week. People love to play great sounding music quickly in a completely natural and easy process!
Photos and videos
Reviews
Carol C.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
1. Fill out the contact form. From there I will reach out through email.
2. We will schedule a 15 minute introductory consult call so we can determine how I might best serve you.
3. Schedule a free 45 minute introductory lesson to get to know your family, give you a brief overview of the Simply Music Teaching Method, and assess if we are great fit together as teacher, student and family.
4. Commit to a weekly lesson, attend concerts together, perform in recitals and join the best piano studio community in the region.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
-Simply Music Licenced Teacher
-2 time record-holding World Champion Euphonium player with the Concord Blue Devils
-Studying under international Piano competition winner, Samuel Grodin.
-Tim Topham Creative Piano Teaching Inner Circle Member
-Fountain Valley Keyboard Concepts Teacher
-16 years of playing experience.
-2 years of piano teaching experience and 5 years of 1-on-1 private tutoring.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I do not post my pricing publicaly because I don’t want you to choose me as a teacher because I am the cheapest. Also, fees vary according to which program you are doing and whether it is a private or shared lesson. I explain all the fees at the Free Introductory Session where you will find a more specific price quote that may vary depending on travel from my home in Costa Mesa, CA.
Pricing is factored in a weekly lesson giving the student everything they need to succeed, travel costs, and world-class student home-materials, and recitals included.
How did you get started teaching?
I was born and raised in the Napa Valley to a 5th generation piano family meaning music was always in my life, with 10 minute piano sessions sprinkled in between my races on Mario-Kart.
Although in college I pursued a Biochemistry degree, piano was my passion. With roundabout fashion, after college graduation I began my piano career. Since, I have invested nearly 3000 hours in my continuing education in piano, sold 200+ CD's, held concerts performing in front of thousands, and instructed dozens of students..
What types of students have you worked with?
I work legitimately with all ages because the concepts of Simply Music do not change. It is customizable to the student, making it such a unique experience for a broad population size:
-Boys/girls ages range 6-14,
-Special-needs children,
-Working Professional men/women in their 30-50s
-Elderly as old as 82)
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I am quite proud of a recent album I recorded for the holiday season titled, "Have Yourself a Very Calm Piano Christmas" that was created as a crowd-funding campaign throughout the month of November 2017 raising over 1000$ and selling nearly 100 Physical CD's, on iTunes, Spotify, Pandora, Amazon, Google Play etc. and the tone of the soothing sounds has been well received during the holiday seasons.
I am incredibly grateful for all that supported me in creating a beautiful project. It allowed me to buy new software that will be used in the piano studio to do more recordings with my studentslike this one: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lhspl5wwqM
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
There is no shortage of information out there on the internet. The most important thing is to foster a love for music early on.
A great teacher will satisfy all 4 roles.
1. Be the Piano Trainer.
2. Keep student and parents accountable
3. Troubleshoot playing issues as the student grows.
4. Create a community of musicians to share this wonderful gift of art.
The Simply Music Method with my training provides all 4.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Are you willing to do something different and be rewarded from your trust, work, and patience?
Are you willing to enter into a long term relationship with the piano?
If so, I am happy to facilitate the gift of music entering your life. It is the one thing that you will be able to take with you everywhere you go. It is the gift we all cultivate as musicians to relish in and share with others.