I teach both children and adults using all kinds of ideas, but mostly centered around the Suzuki philosophy and repertoire. Suzuki teaching includes both private lessons and group classes in tandem. There is an emphasis on tone quality, posture and learning by ear before learning to read music, and, for children, there is a high level of parent participation. (At the weekly lessons and weekly group classes this involves learning the basics of playing the instrument and taking notes, pictures, and/or recordings, and at home this involves parents as "practice coaches" on a daily basis.)
Suzuki philosophy basically says: In the same way that we expect every person to show a "talent" for learning and speaking their native language, we can also expect that every person has a "talent" to learn and play music. And: the discipline and creative expression that comes with learning to play music by great artists influences your character for the better. We just have to provide the kind of environment that makes music one of our "native" languages...
If you'd like a head start on understanding the Suzuki philosophy, you can read the book Nurtured By Love (by Shinichi Suzuki).
Alongside the core Suzuki repertoire I also use: music from the Mark O'Connor Method, I take requests if students want to learn to play a particular song, and occasionally use holiday-inspired music depending on the season. Depending on the student's learning style, I may also use Barbara Barber's "Fingerboard Geography" and "Solos For Young..." series, Joanne Martin's "I Can Read Music" series, Robert Starer's "Basic Rhythmic Training", Alfreds "Essentials of Music Theory" series, Mike Venezia's "Getting to Know the World's Greatest Composers" series, various online resources (see my "Links" section), and as students become ready, other more traditional etude books and supplemental repertoire will be brought in.
I teach through the school year (Mid-September - 1st week of June) with breaks for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. I offer summer lessons when I am in town (summer availability changes from year to year, but averages at about 6-8 weeks of lessons). Currently, I teach group classes on Mondays at Pasadena Suzuki Music Program, individual lessons on Saturdays out of my home in Monrovia, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons/evenings in Sierra Madre, and Friday afternoons in Irvine. To get an idea of when you might schedule a lesson, you can take a look at my studio hours and then my Studio Calendar, which details when I am already busy during those hours. The calendar is updated several times a week and is the best way of finding out whether or not I might have an opening during my normal teaching hours at a time that works for you.
If you are looking for a teacher for yourself or son or daughter, I would be happy to set up a few times when you can come observe me teach. If you like what you see, we'll set up an introductory lesson. There is no charge for observations or the introductory lesson. Private Lesson rates vary depending on the length of your lesson; group lessons are taken with the Pasadena Suzuki Music Program and are paid for separately. You can contact me to get times to observe by sending me the following:
Modified in ... February 2012