
Hello! My name is Masaru Koga and I'm a professional musician and music educator with over 20 years experience - performing and providing private lessons on saxophones, flute, and clarinet for all levels. I also teach improvisation workshops and have experience with various school enrichment programs. I believe in a fun, stress-free learning environment and I like to customize my lessons to suit the students learning styles.
I have been teaching:
- Elementary, middle, and high school students
- Collegiate level music students
- Adults learning for the first time/ getting back into playing
- Amateur musicians
Music has been an amazing positive force in my life. I love sharing the magic and help students cultivate a personal connection with music.
Read more about this pro
The tone and clarity of Nathan's playing. That was Mas's teaching. Nathan is a budding young artist. Mas encouraged and led Nathan's exploration of music. It never seemed like work.
Encouraging and attentive, with a relaxed style of teaching. My son enjoyed his weekly saxophone lessons with Mas for several years.
my daughter took sax lessons with mas for about 7 months before he left for NYC. she enjoyed the lessons and did make progress musically. she enjoyed the exposure to jazz style and the opportunity to perform a jazz piece at a studio recital.
My son's love for playing the saxophone really grew under Mas' instruction. He makes learning fun and creative, and his passion and love for music was contagious. Very easy-going, experienced, and approachable teacher. My son really enjoyed his mentorship.
For first time beginners, the introductory lesson will show how to handle and care for the instrument, basic tone production, and a few notes, after which point a method book will be incorporated.
For those who are already experienced, first lesson is spent assesing the level of the students, and discuss what they wish to learn, and proceed accordingly.
Bachlor of Arts in Improvised Music Studies, San Jose State University, 1995
In-person lessons are not available at this time due to Covid-19.
Online Lesson Rates:
$60/ 60 min lesson
$30/ 30 min lesson
I started teaching after i graduated from college over twently years ago, when my mentor asked me to take over his students. Music lessons allows you to be a part of a very special journey for aspiring musicians. I naturally fell in love with being a part of that journey.
Elementary, middle, and highschool students involved in school ensembles of all styles (concert, jazz, marching, etc) and levels
University level students learning about jazz and improvised music
Adults beginners taking up music as a hobby
Adults returning to playing after many years of break
Amateur musicians
Professional musicians
What do you want to get out of the lessons?