I'm a professional vocalist and I've had the pleasure of working with Michael for about 2 decades now. His knowledge of all things music is as deep as his insights on arrangements I've asked him to comment on, as intricate as his mind-blowing compositions, his quirks as endearing as any musical genius'! read more

I am a current student studying piano with Michael. I really appreciated his emphasis on basics (e.g. breathe, removing tension in the body, posture, and even how to set up the piano bench). He also doesn't just teach piano playing but also the broader music education: composers / pianists to listen to, music theory, etc. One caveat is that expect the pace of learning to be a bit slower compared to other teachers potentially but I think it's a worthwhile tradeoff to build solid foundations. read more

Michael is a very knowledgeable, talented musician. His coaching and education is unlike any other you will receive, especially for other musicians, teachers, and even any adult starting their music journey. It is quite an experience working with Michael, and you will be getting the awareness and foundations you need to thrive as a musician. read more

Michael is an incredibly detail oriented, thoughtful instructor. He really is an encyclopedia of knowledge of all things music: all kinds of genres, skills, and history to name a few. He is also very thorough: my technique has improved considerably within a couple months due to his meticulousness, expertise and knowledge of effective learning. Whatever level you are at or skill you want to sharpen, he can probably provide very insightful tips to help you improve and reach your musical goals. Highly recommended! read more

I recently took a Band Leading lesson with Michael Smolens at Second Sight Music, and I'm so glad I did. Michael covered every practical aspect of organizing and leading a band, with real-world advice that made complex topics clear and actionable. The course touched on everything from setting up indoors vs. outdoors, choosing and mapping out a repertoire, the benefits of including solos, and even how to plan for backup equipment. Michael patiently answered questions I hadn't even thought to ask -- like, What am I getting into with this gig? How much setup time will I have? Will there be a sound check? What does the venue expect? One highlight was learning how to choose and structure a 45-minute performance block -- considering titles, timing, tempo, and tonality to create an engaging flow. Michael shared nuggets like closing with an upbeat tune and combining 2-3 pieces into a suite without breaks to maintain the audience's energy. He also shared valuable tips from his years of experience -- for example, always having extra cables, stands, or amplifiers, and setting up your electronic, acoustic, and vocal elements for a balanced sound. Michael did an excellent job addressing both the practical details and the interpersonal side of band leading. I left feeling far less overwhelmed and much more prepared, with a clear framework to guide me. Highly recommended for anyone serious about stepping up as a band leader. read more

Michael is an extremely talented teacher and musician. He made learning to play the piano fun and approachable. He is kind and patient- a wonderful teacher and person. read more

I have been working with Michael for a few months now and it's been an absolute cheat code on getting me to start writing/performing music. I have always played music specifically guitar but struggled on the vocals and overall composition. Michael is a wealth of information and has helped me break down music I hear which has really helped me grow from my plateau. He has helped me fall back in love with music again and I'll be forever grateful! read more

I am a novice taking piano lessons from Michael. As someone who has mild attention deficit and struggled with discipline his whole life, I have tried and failed to learn instruments autodidactically. Previous attempts to learn through other teachers were also short-lived as the classes usually did not have enough long-term structure, and my motivation would dwindle within months. Michael has been teaching and performing for half a century now. His experience manifests through a calm sense of confidence and stacks of thick binders full of lesson plans. I signed up for piano lessons, but what I am receiving feels like the education of a music degree. We practice technique, of course, but he is also teaching me music theory and history by assigning me books to read, documentaries to watch, theory books to practice, songs to listen to and dissect, and more. These things give me a profound appreciation for the art of music and science of sound. I am impressed by Michael's ability to adjust his program to the needs of his students, and warmed by the encouragement he consistently provides. As a 30-something learning a new skill, I feel fortunate to have a teacher who provides just the right amount of challenge to ignite the passion within me - It's never too late! It's clear that Michael loves what he does. Go and learn from him. You won't regret it. read more

I never imagined I would be able to get back into playing music after a long time of being busy with life and work. Michael has guided me on a journey of listening and playing that has changed the way I experience music and stimulated me creatively beyond the mere act of piano playing. Michael is patient, kind, gives clear directions, and his pedagogy is impeccable. He transforms clumsiness into elegance, nurturing lesson by lesson posture and feeding curiosity. Michael has a contagious enthusiasm for music, and a holistic view of the arts. Learning piano with Michael is a real pleasure. Highly recommended. read more

Having worked with close to a dozen piano and guitar teachers over the course of two decades I can say that there are definitely levels when it comes to a teacher's ability to reach a student. Yes there are YouTube videos and online courses available but if you find yourself REALLY wanting to learn an instrument (or more) then I'd highly recommend saving yourself a gi-normous amount of time and choose the absolute best teacher out there. I've worked with musicians that teach, and teachers that rarely play out, but with Michael you're getting the best of both worlds. Michael's ability to inspire and make a student feel comfortable is second to none. Sometimes inspiration comes from playing with friends, seeing an artist perform, purchasing a new instrument, or leaving a lesson knowing that somehow you managed to find someone that can actually help bring your dreams into reality. Piano technique was my top priority when I started studying with Michael and I probably spent 6 months practicing intense single note exercises (not sure how common this is but I was game and he was eager to assist). It took considerable discipline to stop playing my current repertoire and focus on the new exercises. I finally broken down after 4 months to 'play' the piano and it was a 100% daniel-son-mr-miyaga-type experience. Somewhere over the years I adopted the idea that if I wanted to get better I just needed to practice more, but the a-ha moment was realizing that I really needed to address the incorrect technique that was preventing me from playing with greater freedom. I'm fairly confident it would have been close to impossible for me to discover this knowledge on my own. I recently moved out of state and I'm not studying with Michael at the moment, but more times than not I silently whisper a 'thank you' to Michael when I'm closing the piano lid. Thank you Michael. read more

Michael has been a fantastic teacher since I began with him a few months ago! His emphasis on the fundamentals has been super helpful in filling in the gaps of my previous training, and I learn plenty of new things from him every lesson. For a well-rounded training that covers all sorts of topics with breadth and depth, Second Sight Music is the place to go. read more

I've been studying with Michael for about half a year now, but I've already felt a huge improvement not just in the way I'm playing, but in general the mindset I have when creating music. I reached out to Michael initially because I wanted help learning jazz piano and improv techniques after having studied classical piano for over 10years, but Michael has overhauled my playing beyond just jazz basics, by helping me focus on the key areas I need to develop as a musician. He's helped me dive into everything from physical form when at the piano, to composition and confidence when writing my own songs, to exploring music history, and even to what bandleading could look like as I started participating in the local music scene. I feel very lucky to have found a music teacher with so much experience and thoughtfulness towards student learning and individual interests. read more

I found Michael almost on accident, and was unaware at first that I had stumbled across as low-key legend in the Bay Area music scene. Whatever level you're at, he will meet you there and continually push you to keep getting better - meting out constructive feedback and genuine encouragement in equal measure. Come prepared to learn, work, and improve. You can tell that he truly loves music and seeks to pass along what a lifetime of love has taught him. read more

Michael has encyclopedic knowledge of numerous musical genres... and also has developed effective ways of teaching said knowledge.

Context: I am a beginner, and am currently taking piano and composition lessons with Michael. Michael is an excellent instructor. He is clearly an experienced musician, and, as a result, knows what is most important to focus on when teaching piano. Of course, as a student, you will start by learning about theory and proper technique, but Michael goes above and beyond this to teach you something even more valuable: what it means to be a musician--an artist. His unique, systematic approach to practicing has completely changed the way I look at skill acquisition, and I would even go as far to say that adopting Michael's approach to studying music has changed the way that I structure my life. I'm aware that this sounds ridiculously corny, but I know that studying piano with Michael has given me benefits beyond just learning proper piano form. To any beginner reading this review that is thinking about starting piano lessons--you can't go wrong with Michael. He knows his sh--, and he knows how to teach it. read more

Michael and his team are great! They are really professional musicians and they coached my husband in composing a song for our wedding, which was awesome. In hindsight it would have been helpful to test our PA system in advance (as the musicians haven't worked with our venue before) and communicate with our invited speakers more in terms of how to use the mic, etc. I also felt that we could have coordinated a bit better in terms of parking and meal provision, esp. dietary restrictions (as we had our wedding on a university campus and parking was tricky). Overall I think Michael and his team are great and I would recommend working with them! read more

I have been lucky enough to work with Michael for about 6 months. To start, Michael is an impressive musician. He is passionate about pure musical expression and everything he does comes back to that. Michael helped me with a few things. He helped elevate my singing to another level that I didn't know I had. He provided me with helpful framework to approach improvisation vocally and on guitar. We also worked on live improvised vocal looping which was something I had no experience with, but ultimately led to some big breakthroughs. Lastly Michael helped me work through issues relating to bandleading and working with a group. This was one thing I had never really thought about. I have been in multiple bands and the dynamics and chemistry can be tough to navigate. No one had ever given me any tools to work through that part of music before. No matter where you are on your musical journey or what your goals are, Michael will be able to add something you probably won't find anywhere else. read more

Michael was amazing at our wedding. He played during our cocktail hour and main reception and really established the fun vibe that we had through the night. Prior to the wedding, Michael was in constant communication with me. We emailed and talked on the phone a few times because he really wanted to make sure that he knew what we were looking for and wanted. The rates for his services were really reasonable too. We also had special requests for him including covers of Love Never Felt So Good by Michael Jackson for our grand entrance, All My Life by KC and Jojo for our first dance, and Single Ladies for the bouquet toss. It all sounded exactly like we hoped and our guests even sang along during our first dance! Overall, I wouldn't hesitate to hire or recommend Michael and his band again. read more

I took piano/voice lessons with Michael for about a year and a half. Michael is extremely talented and knowledgeable about so many facets of music. His teaching methods are unconventional but really help develop many different areas of skills towards making and understanding music. I also greatly enjoyed the workshops he held with the other private students where we were able to share our progress and develop a small community. read more

Michael was great and provided a great service for my wife's 30 birthday. I found him very responsive and acted professionally at all times. The music was also great and our audience really enjoyed the music. I will certainly recommend Michael and likely will use him again for future events read more

I feel very fortunate to have Michael as my jazz piano teacher.  I grew up playing classical music and continued studies through college but was not able to deviate from the written music for the life of me.  I felt stuck with classical playing and now at the 10 month mark with Michael, I would say I can definitely doodle for hours on the piano, I've written a piano song, I'm working on an arrangement, I can even swing a bit with my rhythm.  Michael has the language for both classical and jazz and his depth of understanding is  humbling.  It is like taking a college level course yet tailored to your own needs. He can quickly and effectively diagnose the musical issue- whatever that may be; he is methodical yet creative in his teachings; he plays beautifully and has exceptional sensitivity to the music thus allowing me to learn how to be more attuned to the music.  Michael is intense in the way he approaches teaching but it is from the intention of cultivating well-rounded musicians, so, if you are serious about your dedication to music- he can teach you a lot and more! read more

Michael is the most thoughtful music teacher I've encountered. His teachings are relevant and translatable to other parts of life. The highest quality of teaching can impact the rest of your life because of its depth and thoughtfulness. Thorough and thoughtful! read more

The lessons cover all aspects of musicianship, from the theoretical to the practical. Using his practice method has helped me get off my current plateau and I've seen great improvement in my musicianship and practice regimen. The method provides a framework and I can see how I can utilize it to become self-sufficient, to go from being held accountable by him about practicing to holding myself accountable. I've also learned a lot regarding the practical aspects of being a musician: band leading, client relationships, gigging, lifestyle. Michael draws from his considerable experience to troubleshoot problems, answer questions and address concerns. He applies the right pieces of knowledge to my specific situation. It's been an eye and ear-opening experience. And while his teaching of the technical aspects is undoubtedly masterful, what he teaches about the bigger picture of music, and life, is of even greater value. read more

If you're looking to take your music to the next level, learn some stuff "inside the music," and have fun - while having a mindful eye cast over you by a serious guy (serious=good in this case) Michael is your man. Tasked with writing a soundtrack for a film- and the day of my appointment; nee the HOUR of my appointment in Berkeley, at Michael's very cool studio - and my rental car keys were stolen. The whole situation got sorted (I think the thief thought better of stealing a rental) and the session started. I could tell Michael was a professional and would give no faint praise before he'd played a note. He listened to my opening score - told me it was a mixture of two composers that might in theory, clash, but the green light came: "But it works..." he said. The rest of the session was super helpful, point-blank, blunt give and take. Michael illustrated a point by playing some Brahms pieces - as related to our session. I love classical but was never a huge Brahms man - to the shame of my father's side of the family which reveres him. Stripped of Brahms orchestration, the nuts and bolts of the illustrative piece as revealed through Michael's tremendous piano skills illuminated clearly: both Michael's point as it related to our session - as well as the 'inner' Brahms and how great he was. An approachable, serious - but fun, guy - you can only get better with Michael's helping hands and ears - and learn a bit about music history in the bargain. Prices are reasonable. Highest rating. read more

Michael did a fabulous job at our open house event. This was an evening event for business professionals to showcase the opening of Laptop Lounge, the new business lounge in Walnut Creek. It was attended by business professionals and members of the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce and City Council. Michael arrived on-time, set up quickly and efficiently, then wowed the room with his wide range of skills and unique combination of sounds. He can adapt easily to any situation and reads the room very well to keep the right sounds flowing at the right times. His sound is lush and remarkably complex considering he was hired as a one-man band that night. His advanced equipment let's him keep the sounds coming. At one point, I heard him playing and singing, even though he was momentarily away from the equipment. He had used a digital loop to keep the music going. I have hired Michael before and know he is a musical wealth of resource regardless of the type of event you are planning. read more

Great corporate band! Wide variety of songs and professional musicians. Prompt responses and flexible with changes during the program. Highly recommend. read more

I'm a songwriter who's been studying at Second Sight Music for a little over two years. What keeps me coming back to Michael is the same thing that initially attracted me to him: the depth of his knowledge across a variety of musical disciplines. During my time at his studio, we've covered all sorts of musical topics: voice, piano, composition, theory, improvisation and more. Having a teacher who can fluently discuss and integrate ideas and concepts across all aspects of music is tremendously valuable. Additionally, I appreciate that Michael listens carefully and deeply to his students, adjusting his curriculum depending on their needs. Highly recommended, especially for musicians looking for a teacher who's ready to dig deep and cover a lot of ground. read more

Michael is a very knowledgeable and talented musician. He has a lot of patience and care when teaching his students. Been learning from Michael for almost a year now. Were working on learning piano, analyzing music, composition, theory, improvisation, and guitar. Michael will dive deeper into practice habits and work to understand your skill set on a personal level. Highly recommend lessons from Michael. read more

Michael Smolens is a dedicated teacher with a very a large teaching studio in Berkeley, always looking for new ways to open up peoples learning. He is multi-dimensional in his areas of expertise from piano instruction to arranging, voice and composition. After studying composition in the late 90's I hired him to co-produce 10,000 Thunderstorms - the spirit of evolution, and he did a masterful job of arranging, advising and even playing on one piece. While his primary zone of musical interest is jazz he is a very eclectic in his tastes and drawn to a wide range of styles. This is one of the golden threads that inform his teaching. read more

I came to Michael with no piano experience hoping to get a decent foundation before returning to study music in college. Over the course of 9 months, we covered theory, technique, improvisation, composition, arranging, and analysis, ultimately giving me not just piano skills, but the ability to think critically about music and a deeper understanding of myself as a musician. Michael's piano method is thorough, and he is very knowledgable about many styles of music. I highly recommend Michael as a piano and composition teacher. read more

Michael is a one of a kind teacher. His ability to get to the heart of the matter with clever analogies is uncanny. I have been studying with him for about three months now and have been stretched enormously by his teaching. No teacher before has ever delved this deep into what it means to be a practicing musician. His three-part practice log is an invaluable tool that I am only just starting to get the hang of. For a musician who is looking to clear up their misconceptions, develop a practice routine, and make a commitment to a lifetime of playing, Michael will get you there. read more

I am in a much better position as a performer after working with Michael Smolens. I originally contacted Michael to learn vocal technique, but what I am learning from him goes far beyond that. From the finer points of bandleading, to marketing myself as a teacher, to discussing more effective practice strategies, Michael is helping me develop every aspect of myself as a career musician. As hard as it is to make a living as an independent artist, the skills and tools that Michael is arming me with give me confidence that I can make it work. read more

Michael put together an amazing combo for a charitable event at our offices. The music was beautiful, he was professional in every sense of the word, and his group gave the event the touch of class that we wanted. Even Mayor Newsom was tapping his toe and snapping his fingers. Michael, thanks for making us look good! read more

I hired Michael Smolens and his superb quartet to play for my wife's 60th birthday. They were fantastic. Did jazz, latin jazz, classical jazz. Just terrific. If you want a great liver performance for your function, I couldn't recommend Michael Smolens any higher. read more

I hired Michael for my son's first birthday party, which we held in our backyard. Michael brought an impressive collection of huge, gorgeous African instruments, plus a loop recorder, mic, amp, and flute, and once he got set up, he was a delight to listen to. The kids were really into it -- a bit too into it, perhaps, as Michael (understandably) tried to keep the curious crawlers off his valuable equipment. So my only suggestion for a future kids' party with Michael would be to have him also bring maracas, drums, or other not-so-precious props for curious tots to shake, pat, and perhaps suck on (a practice with which Michael is undoubtedly familiar, given that he's been involved with Music Together) during his performance, such that everyone can interact a bit more with Michael and his music. read more

I have only been studying with Michael for a few months, but have already seen dramatic results in my piano playing. Michael's attention to detail and focus on building an extremely strong foundation have totally altered my approach to the piano, and I feel confident that I am now on the path to much more accomplished playing. Michael has also worked to help me improve as a music teacher, and even in a short time I have adopted many of his ideas. I do feel that his rates are high, but at the same time, I feel confident that I am getting a service of great value. His methods have required a tremendous amount of effort on my part, but always pay off proportional to the effort put in. I cannot imagine someone who isn't dedicated enjoying these lessons, but I've never had a better teacher for how dedicated I feel to learning my instrument. read more

I've been studying with Michael for about a year now on a wide range of skills. Theory, piano technique, vocal technique, composition/analysis, and seeing all aspects of the music world. If it was a year ago today, I don't think I'd even be able to imagine all that I've learned. Michael truly knows his stuff, and is very skilled at helping you understand your stuff. So if your considering Michael as a teacher or musician for your gig, just know to keep an open mind and that Michael has pretty much seen and done it all. read more

I've taken piano and voice lessons with Michael for more than 5 years. In that time, I've seen enormous improvement in multiple areas, including (but not limited to): technique and dexterity, composition, improvisation, and theoretical understanding of music, across a range of styles (jazz, rock, pop, latin, gospel, classical, folk, etc). In addition, Michael's skill as a teacher gave me the confidence and thorough understanding to be able to become a piano and vocal instructor. Unlike any other piano or vocal instructor I've had, his teaching not only gave me the ability to play at a much higher level, it helped me establish methods for learning and teaching that will no doubt stick with me for my entire life. He absolutely furthered and enriched my career as a professional musician--an invaluable gift. I can't thank or recommend him enough. read more

Michael's lessons have been the most important influence on my musical development. I first contacted Michael with the intentions of learning piano, gaining a basic knowledge of music theory and improving my music composition skills. He has completely customized my lessons to help develop those skills and so many more. The areas we cover include: ear-training, music theory, composition, arranging, music analysis, music literature, keyboard technique/improvisation, vocal technique, and project management. We also investigate the creative process itself, which I find to be particularly interesting. Over the course of a few months with Michael I have already seen a huge amount of progress. I highly recommend his services to anyone looking to improve themselves musically. I should also mention that Michael has a very impressive body of musical and written work - it's worth checking out. His works have been a big influence on my own art, and it's been quite the privilege to analyze some of his compositions with him. read more

Michael Smolens and his ensemble provided the perfect classy and lively jazz mood for the dinner portion of my party. Michael has an amazing and vast repertoire of songs to choose from, and using the list of songs that I selected, he did an outstanding job of curating them to comprise the "ultimate" dinner playlist for a truly magical evening. read more