Question...........Do you have vocal lessons? ubein@yahoo.com…read more I have a 9 year old granddaughter who is anxious for vocal lessons. Do you teach vocal or can recommend someone who can in Santa Cruz?

I have been taking piano lessons for a little over a year with Diana Brown through Santa Cruz Music…read moreAcademy. I'm in my thirties and had often thought I missed the boat by not studying piano earlier in life. But, I've been feeling extremely happy with the progress (starting as a complete beginner) that we've made over this time so I thought I'd post a review. Diana has a structured but flexible teaching style that has helped me to efficiently develop a well-rounded set of skills. We've focused on learning scales / arpeggios, proper technique, and building a repertoire - sometimes we delve a little further into theory or even some vocal lessons here and there. I've found that she goes above and beyond in tailoring the pace and content of the curriculum to her individual students. I would absolutely recommend Diana as a teacher without hesitation to anyone hoping to start learning piano!

I'm in my 60s. I began taking piano lessons with Susan Parrish before Covid, Zoom, and social…read moredistancing. Piano lessons have changed very little for me. Susan guided me through purchasing a simple USB mic and headphones (Amazon). Lessons are now held using a laptop and Zoom. We can communicate easily using these devices. She sees me and I see her. Though I miss going to her studio, I'm satisfied with the new lessons arrangement. I'm as motivated to learn in my home as I am in her studio. Same lesson - different environment. I can roll with this.

Like many folks in their 50s and 60s, I started playing piano when I was young (4 or 5), took…read morelessons until I was a teenager, played in the school orchestra, and then abandoned studying music when other things became more important. I continued to play on occasion, and have always owned a piano, but it was growing stale for me, because I wasn't learning new techniques or being challenged at all. In my early 50s, I decided it was time for some lessons. Initially, I was looking just for some guidance with new pieces to learn and some technique tune ups. I took a beginning music theory class at a local college, taught by Susan Parrish, decided she would be a good person to try lessons with again, and started what I thought would be a short series of lessons. Susan is what I call a "serious" teacher, someone not only a talented player, but well educated, devoted to teaching piano, and very professional in her approach. I enjoy working with her, and have gained an appreciation for how she works with young student. As I've said numerous times to Susan, I wish I'd had a teacher like her when I was young, because I would have grown up to be a much better musician than I am. Susan is serious about teaching piano, but what works best for me is that she's also committed to helping her student enjoy playing. She encourages me to select and tackle the pieces that I find interesting (and my tastes are all over the place, from Chopin to Pink Floyd), and then helps me to approach learning those pieces with patience and creative techniques. I'm now aware of entire layers of subtlety in playing that I never knew existed before, and how they enrich both my ability to play and my enjoyment of playing. I derive immense satisfaction from sitting down and playing, and look forward to having more time to play in the future. I cannot thank Susan enough for reinvigorating my relationship to playing and enjoying music. I think students of all age will benefit from studying with someone who understands so much about music and is so willing to teach to the individual and being a sense of joy to the endeavor.

My son and I both take private lessons at Sharp. I am studying voice with Sydney and my 11 year old…read moreboy studies drumming with Elliott. I just love what we are both learning! Low-pressure, high-attention to detail. Just my style. Sydney is really helping me, a 50 year old woman who NEVER SANG and would never dream of doing it in front of anyone, find my natural voice and it's starting to sound pretty good! I also like that Elliott plays accopaniment to Sebastian's drumming so they are making music together that gets him excited beyond the basics. They also have a beautiful location.

I study singing with Sydney and my 11 year old studies drumming with Elliott. We love our lessons!…read moreThey are both so knowledgeable and encouraging. I have studied with many teachers of performing arts over the years and these are very special teachers! Beautiful location,too!

Renee is an incredibly talented vocal coach who helped get me show ready in the spring. With my…read morereflux, Renee knew what I needed vocally and mentally to get performing in 8 weeks. I highly recommend her for vocal injuries or fatigue. She is a super talented teacher who can meet any client where they're at and help them develop their voice technically and artistically.

Here's the thing about Gianni Staiano: he claims to be a piano teacher; however he is infinitely…read moremore than that. I first happened upon Gianni and his love affair with keyboards at a local venue called The Crepe Place. His Funk Trio, 7 Come 11, was almost literally sucking people into the front door and gyrating the floor beneath their feet. I bounded towards the front to see the instrumentation. Well, my eyes ended up glued to Gianni's fervent-foot and handwork on the hammond organ for about 2 hours. As a kid, I had learned some classical piano and listened to rich and multifarious musical styles. In the back of my mind I had been searching for someone to resuscitate my relationship with the piano. I thought, "I found the doctor." Fast forward to one year later and I am grappling with scales, chord voicings, baseline rhythms, ear training, sight-reading, chord progressions, and new songs in Gianni's studio. At this point, honestly, I felt frustrated. This guy is giving me every tool in emporium and I am just NOT a musician, I should give up. ...I'm giving up. Well, I voiced this concern to him and he earnestly reasoned that I was growing as an artist and musician. I just wasn't ready to hear it at that point. I quit for about 6 months, all the while recalling Gianni's simpatico encouragement. My life circumstances changed and I decided to give the piano, music, and Gianni another try. Returning was like sipping an outstanding scotch with a clean palate after having tried it before with a mouthful of soap. Music has a way of defying definition. Gianni continues to patiently help me wrap my head around constellations of musical concepts. His teaching helps me feel that music and life govern each other. The tools he provides allow me to face the truth of who I am as an artist and musician. One of the greatest gifts of Gianni's teaching is self-acceptance, the reminder to love ourselves where we are at this moment and keep working towards our greater goals. Three years later I am preparing for a performance, singing and playing, writing my own music, and showing up at Gianni's studio every week for more. It really makes a difference taking lessons from a performing musician. While I can't say that lessons with Gianni has instantly turned my hands into the likes of Art Tatum, Vladimir Horowitz, or Chopin, I can say that I call myself a piano player, musician, and artist with growing confidence. You can certainly take lessons from him and take his teaching as a literal guide to playing the piano and you will glean numerous playing tips and learn new songs; however, I recommend learning between the lines and trust that the really juicy stuff will digest and give you a rich takeaway in time. So, a 5 isn't enough. I have an infinitude of stars and gratitude to post for Gianni's nurturance of a really, REALLY important part of my life.

My daughter wanted a piano teacher who would nurture her love of music beyond learning scales &…read moremusic theory. Gianni has introduced her to jazz, blues & latin rhythms. She has developed the confidence to take on new music by recognizing the chords & patterns within each piece of music. Gianni has an engaging personality along with his creative teaching style. Each lesson provides guidance & a deepening connection with music which inspires her to keep playing.

These folks (shop owner John and employee Sabrina) are the greatest! They both do repairs on…read moreinstruments, and they deal squarely and fairly. They have a large selection of books and will order more. You can get music lessons there in one of their private teaching rooms. This is a great local business that's worth supporting. It's a little out of the way, so you are unlikely to just "happen across" this place, but it is really convenient if you know where you are going. It is right across the street from New Leaf on the West side.

Thomas Musical Instruments is quality and great value. Great service and knowledge. I would…read morereccomend them for service and rebuilds

The entire team at MDS Dental Assisting Academy is so dedicated to the success of each and every…read morestudent. I have seen so many of my community colleagues and partners succeed with this program. Very good way to launch a career in the dental world. The professionalism, support and genuine caring nature of this team is what makes their students successful. Highly recommend!

I have been in the Dental Profession for over 30 years. A graduate from MDS came in to help and…read morelearn for the day. She was amazing!! Helpful, egar to learn. Breath of fresh air!! Thank u MDS for teaching her so much about the Dental Profession. Loved her!! Bobbie Perez

The 2 sisters that tutors are wonderful. Both very friendly, positive and patient. We have Hannah…read morewho's helped our child with writing, grammar and spelling. Going twice a week makes it more effective. During the school year, I enjoyed that we can give her the hw and it's done. You can let them know what they need to work on during the summer and the tutor can come up with lesson plans to help catch up if your child is behind. My child's writing and language arts have improved as shown on her report card. We are happy with the results and continue to work with Hannah.

I had been searching for the right tutor for my 8 year old autistic son and I am so happy that…read morewe've found Hannah at Charlie's Porch Tutoring Center. The center is bright, safe, clean, inviting, modern and full of color and personality. My son's tutor, Hannah is kind, patient, empathetic, compassionate and provides just the right amount of structure for my very "busy" son. My son is excited to attend his tutoring sessions each week and I would highly recommend Charlie's Porch Tutoring Center to anyone that is looking for academic assistance and support for their child. Holly, 3rd Grade Parent