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.

World class flute and music teacher. Teaches all manner of flute playing, classical/modern and…read moreperiod flutes, whistles, and more. Deep experience, fun to work with. Fully knowledgeable and supportive, wonderful flute teacher. Plays all over the Bay areas ( SF, Monterey, and other areas) professionally and manages to fit flute lessons into his busy schedule.

I have also been one of Martan's piano students for several years. I can tell you that Martan has…read moremany talents. First, he's a busy and in-demand performing musician; various venues, solo, backing, and ensemble settings. So whether you just want to entertain yourself or you want to (or already do) perform for others, he can share a wealth of knowledge regarding performance skills. Second, he's a skilled teacher of music theory and piano technique at every level from beginner to professional. If you're at a beginning level, he'll start you off right with a solid foundation. If you already play, he'll help you progress faster and farther. And you'll always have a clear vision of where you are and where you're going on your musical journey. Third, he's an amazingly-creative musician. He's a master at improvisation, and even better, he can teach you how to improvise also. Not just playing a few licks, but real, meaningful improvisation. It's not just for those "who were born with it". Fourth (and to me most impressive), he's wonderfully gifted at teaching how think of music as a language, in order to express meaning and emotion through your playing. Whether you're improvising or playing written pieces, this is the critical difference between "sounding like everyone else" and finding your own sound.

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.

Sam is a super energetic teacher! She is great with the kids and really knows how to get them…read moreinvolved and learn! She always creates a fun environment for the kids to learn in.

My daughter has had 2 incredible years at little Mozart. She can read music and notes. Sam is an…read moreamazing instructor! Your child will immensely benefit from little Mozart.

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!

Michael has been teaching my son for 5 years and we love him! My son started when he was 6 years…read moreold. Michael has taught us Piano, drums, and Uke. Eventually, my son decided to focus on the ukulele. Michael has been great at following my son's musical taste and has gone out of his way to learn the songs he is interested in. Michael is a warm and patient teacher. I HIGHLY recommend him.

My 10 year old who only knew a few chords played without much rhythm and I have been jamming with…read moreMichael for about a year now. He now plays drum kit, rhythm and lead guitar, and piano. We record every session, so fun!

After staring at a little-used guitar in my house for 10 years, I decided to take lessons in my…read more60s. I found Ron through his reviews, and it has been an awesome experience to start playing a new instrument at this age. Ron really focuses on proper technique and holding the instrument/playing the instrument correctly from the get-go, but is also thoughtful about customizing the position of the guitar and your fingers to make it comfortable and easy. Ron is incredibly patient, always encouraging, and just a delight to spend time with since he makes you feel comfortable no matter how you're playing. He clearly enjoys sharing his passion for music, even with beginners.

I joined Ron's Performance Workshop in 2019, after having studied two years with an on-line…read moreclassical guitar school. When I arrived, Ron quickly spotted difficulties I had with right and left hand position, posture, and excess tension, which are very difficult to assess in a video format. He worked with me in a patient and positive manner, and I gradually understood the whys and hows of the basic skills I'd been missing. These improvements led to other positives such as easier playing, better tone, and more enjoyment of the instrument. I've been attending Ron's Performance Workshop continuously for the last four years and have seen all of the students, from intermediate to very advanced, continue their progress with Ron's coaching. I use the word "coaching" because there is no lecturing or over-teaching. Ron pinpoints the source of a student's difficulty and offers solutions concisely, based on his extensive teaching experience and knowledge of the repertoire. Each session leaves me feeling that I can and will improve my skill and enjoy the pleasure of playing.