Inland Empire Online Lesson Center

I draw from my years of watching what works and what doesn't.  I create a results based plan based on student goals and interests.   

I could list all the Schooling and Training I have. I can brag about my accomplishments.  And there's a place for that - I list all my background and accomplishments in my introduction package... but the truth is... it's not about me... it's about the students and their success.  What I'd rather do is talk about what I can do for you.  What my current and former students have accomplished.  I'll let the education do the talking.  All anyone really needs to know about me is that I walk the walk, not just talk the talk.  I've been there and done that so to speak - and I can relay all my experience to my students - that goes beyond schooling.  That's the point.  To be truly effective as a trainer in any field is having the knowledge of subject AND the ability to relay that knowledge in a relevant way.  Teaching has nothing to do with subject... I'll say it again.  The Art of Teaching is a separate skill.  It takes both Knowledge of subject and teaching skills to effectively guide students.  I've been teaching for the last 28 years.  I've seen trends come and go, worked with Major Retail Chain Stores, small "Mom and Pop" Stores, Lesson Brokers, non retail storefront "Music Schools", "Academies" and everything in between.  I've even taught home lessons.  I know first hand what works and what doesn't.  More importantly I know why.  I bring all of my experience to the online platform.  A place where we can finally "get it right" and avoid the pitfalls of so many outdated systems.

Pricing is competitive.  For most "lesson mills" it's a race to the bottom.  Who can do it cheaper?.  Everyone wants to save money right?  But when it comes to your education, do you really want to skimp?  By the same token, what makes the highest price lessons any better?  Forget the price, the better question is does it work?  Am you going to get your money's worth out of it?  I've worked with a variety promotions and sales philosophies over the years.  It always ends up the same.  Unless you take the Customer's needs and budget into account and develop solutions where everyone gets value, you're just another salesman trying to get into someone's wallet.  And people are tired of it.  I don't talk price.  I talk solutions.

Look for experience AND schooling.  It takes both to be effective.  All a "Degree" means is they were successful at advancing their own self interests.  They invested in themselves reached their own goals.  An important part of the process to be sure, but it has nothing to do with the prospective student.  Ask yourself questions like "How long has this person been in business?"  That's a good indicator of success with students.  "Do they teach the styles I want to learn?  Are they active in the local music scene?  You'd be surprised how many people teach but don't perform on a regualr basis.  The more playing experience someone has ties directly with how effectively they can show students the shortcuts to success and what pitfalls to avoid.  Any teacher that is not "growing" their skills and actively involved is stagnating. 

Don't over think it.  That's the biggest "Buzz" kill there is.  A lot of people come in with ideas someone else put in their head about how music works and what they should study.  There is a core set of skills everyone needs and then there's the students "Desire".  That's the only thing I can't teach.  What makes you say to yourself, "Yeah! I wanna do that!!!".  That's all you need to get started.  As a band mate of mine once said... "Half the battle is showing up"... 'nuff said.