Alan Cross Music Lessons

Alan Cross Music Lessons

5.0Exceptional(5 reviews)
Offers online services
Offers online services

About

Alan has expertise in classical, jazz, pop, and blues. He has worked as a music director, piano accompanist, pop keyboardist and as a leader in a jazz band. Alan has been teaching piano for thirteen years and has had good success with all ages.

He has been teaching since 2007 and has gained a deep love for the work. Alan seeks to instill strong reading ability, a functional and usable understanding of music theory, capable technique, good expression, and creativity.


Highlights

Hired 3 times
1 employee
17 years in business
Serves Saratoga , CA
Offers online services

Payment methods

Cash, Check, Venmo, Paypal, Zelle

Details

Years experience

No formal training, No formal training; some self-taught experience, 0 – 2 years experience, 2 – 4 years experience

Able to read music

Student can read music, Student cannot read music

Lesson length

30 minutes, 45 minutes, 60 minutes

Student's age

Under 5 years old, 5 – 10 years old, 11 – 13 years old, 14 – 18 years old, 19 – 25 years old, 26 – 45 years old, 46 – 65 years old, Over 65 years old

Student has instrument

Students who have a piano, Students who have a keyboard

Interested musical styles

Classical, Jazz, Pop, I can make recommendations

Photos and videos


  • Reviews

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    RM

    Robin M.

    Goes at the speed that is right for me.
    ... Show more
    January 19, 2022
    Hired on Lessons

    PB

    Pam B.

    Alan Cross is an excellent piano teacher. He has very good understanding and is very talented. He is very patient and friendly. My son has been taking piano lessons from Alan for the last 2 years now and he is really behind to enjoy learning and playing piano now.
    I would highly recommend Alan Cross for piano lessons.
    ... Show more
    September 23, 2021

    LA

    Liz a.

    My 7 year old has been taking piano lessons from Alan for the past 6 months and it has been a great experience. Besides being a very gifted pianist he is a natural teacher. He has been patient, encouraging, and has made piano fun. I highly recommend him.
    ... Show more
    September 20, 2021

    RB

    Ramya B.

    Alan is an amazing teacher! He focuses on honing the kids skills/techniques, provides individual attention and is very patient (an important skill to teach kids)! Alan started teaching my daughter piano when the pandemic struck. We were not sure how much shed learn by starting online. We were lucky to have a friend refer Alan to us.
    My daughter loves playing the piano and has decided to become a musician :). Alan pays attention to the keys and teaches her the right techniques. There are times when she misses the notes and Alan always comes back with a positive Lets try it again!.
    Apart from being a great teacher, Alan takes the time to communicate her progress periodically and educates us about piano. We highly recommend Alan!
    ... Show more
    September 14, 2021

    LD

    Lisa D.

    We couldnt be more pleased having Alan teach our son how to play piano. I cant think of a better piano teacher, especially for young students. He displays immense patience and positivity toward the children. My son looks forward to all his music lessons and cant wait to meet Alan each week. He makes learning the piano fun. He encourages his students to practice by keeping a practice log and he rewards them with prizes. My son has learned to play the piano because of Alan and we are extremely grateful!
    ... Show more
    May 03, 2019

    Frequently asked questions

    Alan works to make a tailor made plan for each student. He works for find what musical styles each students is interested in and finds a good level for them to start at.

    Alan is trained in classical and jazz. He has studied piano for twenty eight years and has taught for fourteen. Alan also leads worship at his church in Santa Clara and has worked as a choir director, piano accompanist, youth band leader, and music director for youths and adults.

    $37 for half hour, $55 for fourty five minutes, $72 for hour. 

    Alan was encouraged to teach by his teachers. He began teaching during and after Concordia University. After graduating he developed teaching while working as music director at Aliso Viejo Lutheran Church of the Cross. After working as a music director and teaching for five years, Alan moved to Northern California and has been teaching in Saratoga for ten years. Alan specilizes in classical, jazz, blues, and pop.

    Alan has worked with all ages. The retired, the young, teens, those in their twenties, working adults, even as young as 3 and a 1/2, and fathers or mothers learning along side their children. Alan works well with those seeking to enjoy music and wanting to do their best. Alan is good at slowly helping students develop good practicing. Alan can tend to be good for those who may not otherwise have an easy time getting into piano or music.

    One of Alan's recent students actually listed Alan as their hero and spoke about him at a public event! Alan tries his best to be clear, concise, and helpful. He tries to explain the basics of music in a way that can be understood and tries to demonstrate and convey teaching ability and musicality.

    Finding a good teacher with a good heart is important. A teacher should be a good player and have a good ear. I try to be encouraging and do work with my students to develop   good practice routines. With a young beginner, the practicing may only be 15-20min/day but as they keep at it the practice time will increase to 30/45/60 min per day or more. Making sure the student and teacher work well together is important.

    What kind of music do you like? Do you aspire to be a classical pianist? Do you want to be creative or create music? Do you thrive on preset standards and expectations?  Much can be learned by working with a good teacher and by continuing to strive to get better.


    Services offered

    Piano