Piano Lessons (Age 4 to Adult)

I use a variety of standard methods (Alfred, Bastian, Hannon, "pop chords" approach, etc.) and song books to teach piano techniques and ability, sight-reading, theory, simple composition and performance strategies.  The method or combination of methods used is custom-fit according to the student's age, needs, temperament, goals and interests.  I am particularly successful at reaching my students at their individual level of ability and desire, instilling in them the confidence and aspiration to improve and enjoy their abilities.

Voice Lessons (Age 5 to about 11)

I have had great success teaching children to sing with proper pitch, tone, breath support, vowels and diction in a completely safe and age-appropriate manner with the Singing Lessons for Little Singers method that I developed and published.  I supplement the lesson book with additional songs from Disney, traditional folk songs and whatever else the child is interested in.  More advanced students are taught performance and acting skills and encouraged to participate in musicals and choir.

Voice/Piano Combined Lessons

For children and adults interested in pursuing music far into the future, I highly recommend combined voice and piano lessons.  In this format I combine the pitch (ear-training) and vocal technique instruction from voice lessons with the theory, sight-reading and keyboard technique instruction from piano lessons.  This trains the student to be a consummate musician, ready to pursue any instrument and area they may later choose.

Voice Lessons (Age 12 to Adult)

In teaching voice, I recognize that there are some things that will vary greatly between students, and others that should be the same.  One of my main concerns in developing a course of study for my voice students is finding out what styles and techniques they are interested in.  This of course varies widely, with one student singing Puccini while another sings the Beatles.  I recognize that each student already has certain goals in mind for singing and I will do all that I can to help them achieve their dreams.

In developing the student's course of study, I also of course ascertain their singing ability and begin to address room for growth through proper singing technique.  While my personal and teaching experience ranges from operatic and choral styles to musical theater and pop, the foundational technique I use and teach all my students originates from the traditional bel canto technique developed by Manuel Garcia II, D. Ralph Appelman (Indiana Univ.), Richard Miller (Oberlin Con.) and others.  Used as a foundation, I have found this technique to greatly improve the quality and ability of any singer singing in any style.  Using methods I have developed from my own research and experience and customized according to the student's individual needs and goals, I stress correct fundamentals of breath support, phonation and resonance techniques, as well as posture, expressivity, pronunciation, diction, style, and performance.  All of my voice students have significantly improved their tone, range, agility, clarity of enunciation, musicianship and confidence and effectiveness of performance as a result of my instruction.

"Harmony Road" Group Music Classes

I am a certified instructor of the Harmony Road complete musician course series for toddlers to age 10 at the Pacific Institute of Music in Folsom.  This amazing program has trained tens of thousands of children in "Hearing ... feeling ... moving ... singing ... creating ... sharing ... reading ... and playing MUSIC" with amazing results.  Harmony Road is a contemporary group musicianship course focused on developing musical awareness and understanding through solfege singing and ear training, rhythmic activities and movement, keyboard discovery and playing and creative activities and composing. 

Adult Group Voice Class

Also at the Pacific Institute of Music, I teach a group voice class for adults and teens, perfect for the beginning singer looking to learn fundamental technique (stance, breath support, use of registers, tone and diction), interpretation and performance skills.  Over 8 weeks, we will learn the basics of singing together and then practice learning and performing songs in a safe, supportive and teacher-directed environment.