I studied clawhammer banjo with Tim for six months, when I was just starting off. Now, a year…read morelater, I play actual gigs in a string band! I first reached out to Tim when my wife was interested in starting mandolin. She had no experience with string instruments and Tim was a warm and patient teacher for her. Her experience was so good, I picked up a banjo and headed to Tim's myself! Tim is a Bay Area treasure. Growing up in West Virginia and having played throughout the states, he brings a wealth of knowledge about the history of bluegrass and oldtime music, grounding his lessons in storytelling, the oldtimey way. This helps students develop a deep appreciation for the music and turned me on to players and styles I hadn't heard and might not otherwise have come across. He helped me develop a strong foundation and technique that has carried me through to today. We spent a lot of time honing in on my right hand technique and I still remind myself of his notes when I'm playing. Get on over to Tim's!

I started from scratch on the Mandolin 2 years ago, and Tim has been great to work with. In the…read morebeginning, he gave me very clear and motivational direction on how to play specific tunes. Then, as I progressed and developed my own style, Tim was very supportive of showing me how to express my own authentic voice on the Mandolin. Really, a dream come true - I have always wanted to express myself musically, and Tim has helped me do that more than anyone ... Thanks Tim! I highly recommend him for developing your own style and technique!

My husband and I are so happy we booked Brian Moran for our wedding! Brian went above and beyond…read morewhen playing for our ceremony. All of our guests absolutely loved the music, and there were a few tears shed. My favorite part of our wedding was when our guests left for the reception, and my husband and I had a private dance together while Brian played. Thank you Brian for giving us the most magical wedding ceremony!

I have worked with Brian over many years as an Event Producer in the greater Bay Area and in wine…read morecountry. Brian's musical sense is spot on and he really listens to what it is you're after. For this last production, a beautiful Jewish ceremony, Brian performed music from Fiddler on the Roof and another special traditional song for the families. The sound was just extraordinary, timing perfect. For the cocktail reception music we asked for uptempo current pop music and as I moved through the lively reception I caught bits of Talking Heads' "This Must Be The Place" and other favorites - nothing cliche, just lovely in the setting and really really special. As far as production goes, the work we do leading up to the event, Brian is patient and caring. He cares about getting it right for the client. Not rushing through but more careful and cautious. He patiently reviewed with me (a few times until I got it!) all of the musical instruments he felt would be best in combination for each song for the ceremony, and also for the reception, and I trusted that he knew best. It was perfection.

Jonathan is an EXTRAORDINARY voice lesson teacher. He is incredibly well-trained and a very…read morepersonable instructor. In addition, his lessons are very helpful for students of all levels. I am a beginner in singing and truly enjoy his instruction. I highly recommend Jonathan for voice lessons!

HIGHLY RECOMMEND!…read more If you want to learn how to sing well, Jonathan is the way to go. Not only does he have impeccable credentials (SF opera, gigs around the world), but he is also a very good teacher. I've been taking lessons from him for almost three years now. I started as a student in Davis, and continued even after graduation. He's very nice, funny, and personable - not hoity toity like you would expect an opera teacher to be. I really appreciate his patience and encouragement. I also appreciate the biannual recitals he organizes for his students. After three years of weekly lessons, I had the chance to perform four times at UC Davis and four times at the Berkeley City Club. I can't recommend him highly enough. He is like the Burj-al-Arab Dubai hotel of voice instructors - 7/5 stars!

My sons have been taking weekly guitar lessons with Joe for over ten years. My older son started…read moreplaying with Joe at age 6 (he is now finishing high school). His younger brother transitioned from the piano to guitar and started with Joe at age 10 (he's now 14). Joe is a patient and supportive guitar and music teacher. He has been a steady part of their upbringing, and he has been a good role model for them. They are good guitar players. More importantly, they love playing and play most days of every week. I credit Joe with developing their love for playing the guitar, which they will carry forward into their lives. I highly recommend Joe.

I've been taking group guitar class with Joe for a couple months and I have learned so much…read more I really enjoy the group aspect because we get to be social, laugh a bit, and work together. Bonus teacher nerd points because as a piano teacher, I learn a lot from Joe about how to conduct a group class-- a rare and little-discussed aspect of music teaching. Joe's years of experience have come through in my playing in a short time. Highly recommend!

Ellen is talented, patient and fun! I never would have thought that I'd enjoy piano lessons so…read moremuch. You will look forward to your next lesson. Thanks Ellen.

I'd been playing piano off and on for a long time, but I hadn't taken private lessons in many…read moreyears. After I retired and had more time to practice, I wanted to take lessons again. I specifically wanted to work on my jazz playing. I'd heard Ellen play a number of times over the years and was impressed by how well she plays jazz as well as many other musical styles. When I started lessons with her, I was very pleased by how quickly Ellen assessed my skills and knowledge. She is a gifted teacher and has been able to seamlessly tailor her instructional approach to me and what I want to learn. I am very happy that Ellen does not use a 'one size fits all' teaching approach! (I've unfortunately encountered that in the past.) Soon after I began lessons with Ellen, an opportunity came up to take the vocal duo I'm in to the next level. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Ellen also does vocal coaching and helps vocal and instrumental groups enhance the arrangements they've developed. I'm thrilled that one teacher can help me with all my disparate musical interests and endeavors, and that it's no problem for Ellen to roll with it when I want to do a 180 and switch to something totally different from what we were last working on. I am grateful to have found such a flexible and student-centered teacher!

My son and I each started taking music lessons with Mitch several months ago and it has been a…read morewonderful experience for both of us. Mitch has been great with my 5 year old son James- blending just the right amount of music reading with free play while always keeping things fun. James and I always look forward to "music school" each week! I highly recommend Mitch Schrift for piano lessons for young and old! Michael Witwer (510)776-8409

We would like to add our highest recommendation for Mitch. Our son has been taking classes with…read morehim for nearly a year and we could not be happier. When we moved to Albany from Seattle, we tried out a lot of piano teachers before we found Mitch and, once we did, we knew we had found the right teacher for our son. Mitch is an extremely talented and well educated musician and an equally excellent teacher of young people. He not only teaches our son music and piano, he also teaches him how to learn and practice, which are life lessons. Mitch is patient but he also knows how and when to gently nudge and challenge a student to do his or her best. He builds on a student's existing musical interests and abilities while challenging them to reach a little higher. My wife and I can't say enough good things about Mitch who teaches out of his professional home studio.

Mike is an incredible instructor. I am an adult learner, and having never played an instrument…read morebefore in my life, I was intimidated to say the least. I've now been with Mike for 4 years. His guidance, patience, and passion demonstrate that it is never ever too late to learn. I've had the chance to meet fellow students - of all ages and walks of life - and Mike does an excellent job of meeting the student at their level and connecting 1x1. Whether you intend to learn for school, fun, or professionally Mike can certainly help guide you and progress at a pace that's comfortable for you.

When the world's too hard, grab your guitar - and actually learn to play it…read more I've been taking guitar lessons on and off over the years. Bess is the first teacher who has gotten me to like the instrument - AND Use my voice as an instrument. She is clearly well-trained, and a born teacher. Bess creates a teaching space that provides respite from the goings on out there. Highly recommend.