About
I am an experienced music teacher with over 20 years of experience teaching beginning to intermediate piano students. As a recently retired member of the Music Teacher's Association of California, I am qualified to teach your child or an adult piano student. Written recommendations available upon request. In addition to properly teaching your child or an adult student, I also teach music reading, and music theory once a student is showing good interest in the piano and practising regularly.
It is thoroughly enjoyable to take a student from knowing very little about piano to watch them start playing songs getting more proficient every week and most importantly, loving their instrument and music. I have taught mainly in my home and in the student's home as well as teaching piano lessons for the Monterey County Recreation Department for one year. I have over 20 years experience and am seeking a few new students at this time.
Highlights
Reviews
Tony G.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
The first lesson is an evaluation for me and it's also a chance for the student to get a feel for me as a teacher. Usually after 1 to 3 lessons, it's pretty clear to both me and the student is this is a good match. I get a feel for how well and how easy or hard it is for a new student to follow what I ask them to do on the keyboard. My specialty is brand new students who know nothing and I start the journey of learning music and piano through hand placement and playing a few notes together. I explain the basics as I go through the first lesson.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Trained at UCSC in Film, Video and Music. Teaching from full time to part time since 1997. Member Music Teacher's Association of California (Retired July, 2016). Am in the process of working full time again through a charter school. Reworking my website.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
$60.00 per hour at my home
If I travel to your home, I charge a small travel fee depending on your location.
How did you get started teaching?
After UCSC graduation, I started teaching privately and taught piano lessons at the Monterey Recreation Center for a year as well.
What types of students have you worked with?
Young and old. Beginners to intermediate students. It is a basic necessity to have a keyboard or piano in your home prior to requesting lessons from me. You are most welcome to request lessons after you have the instrument in your home. Then you are ready for lessons with me. Thank you.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
Receiving compliments from parents. Watching children and adults play a song from beginning to end.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
It's a personal experience so both teacher and student have to have a good rapport and respect for each other. Having a keyboard or a piano is a basic requirement. Before you hire a teacher, please have an instrument, tuned, in your home.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
If you love the piano, are willing to practice, have an acoustic piano and can afford lessons, you're on your way to becoming a musician. How far you take it is up to the student. It is a pleasure to watch you become proficient on the instrument and improve weekly. A piano student needs time to practice at least 1/2 hour per day with support and encouragement from parents and family members..