FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
I generally charge $55 per hour, $45 for 45 minutes, and $35 for 30 minutes. I have always tried to make it my policy to use a sliding scale and not turn away students for lack of funds. This has led the the "Play it Forward Music Foundation," a new non-profit with the goal of providing scholarships and instruments for those with financial restraints.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
I start out by talking with the student about their musical interests. We quickly taylor the lesson to help follow the students goals and musical tastes. This often involves learning songs that they like. Usually through learning songs we can cover the fundamentals of music along with techniques needed to play them. This often leads to writing original songs, improvising, reading music, recording, and live performances.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have been a private music teacher for 20 years. I received a BA in music from Sonoma State in 2004. Along with a degree in music, I have studied with many great teachers. I also have performed and recorded as a solo artist and performed with various bands at many concerts & festivals including Bottle Rock, the Strawberry Festival, Vina Robles, SOMO, The Mountain Winery, Ashkanaz, World Fest and the Fillmore Jazz Festival. I have performed in diverse settings including weddings, parties, funerals, Bar Mitzvahs, corporate events, hospitals. In 2009 I published a chapter on music lessons in Healing Practices to Grow up Easier, a manual for parents. I have traveled throughout Asia and South America and Europe studying music