Phoenix's Voice and Drum class was fun and challenging. Over summer and into fall this year, I took…read moretwo -10 week class series, back to back, and really enjoyed them. Although it was the same class repeated, she offered enough variation and creativity to inspire a continuum of engagement and learning. Phoenix is truly talented as a musician and facilitator who knows how to create a safe space in which students are able to let down their guard and get into the flow of drum circle magic.

Amber will truly help you "Free Your Voice"! I've taken their Free Your Voice classes in various…read moreforms, both in-person twice as single-class experiences in the last two years and recently as an online, 8-week class over Zoom. Every time, Amber has brought amazing creativity to the content and a genuine ability to help participants develop both as singers and human beings. The classes are always a safe space to push one's own boundaries and learn new superpowers you didn't know you had! I would highly recommend Amber's class especially to anyone who wants to develop their voice and become more confident, but as well to anyone who wants to just explore new sides of themselves and do something very fun, cathartic and liberating.

I've been a long time student of Rebecca's and highly recommend her for anyone who wants to learn…read morepiano. She is very skilled at assessing and correcting technical difficulties and is equally talented in teaching expressive technique. In addition she fosters a warm and supportive community by hosting regular workshops where her students meet to perform for one another.

She is a great teacher but only takes advanced adults but her videos online are great tooread more

It's been almost two years now and I'm taken aback by my progress. I'm playing pieces that seemed…read moreintimidating and out of reach, but now they're naturally flowing. I've played in front of family, friends, strangers, and peers (and even look forward to it now). By the time I presented my own compositions to Miranda, we had built up the rapport for her to give me frank criticism that a professional musician would have trouble digesting it. Without losing the essence of the piece, I went through several iterations with her that made it infinitely easier to read. Miranda goes the extra mile to immerse herself in what you're trying to accomplish. Now I have a strong foundation and am on a roll transcribing past work that's been confined to my head for years. I'm extremely grateful for the journey I've been on, and couldn't imagine a better coach and guide!

I've been learning piano from Miranda for three years as an adult student. She has truly helped me…read moreplay several of J.S. Bach's preludes and some well-known pieces from film scores. I never thought I would ever be able to play like this. Miranda is a devoted and highly skilled teacher. She pays close attention to the mistakes her students make and corrects them with patience and care. A great teacher recognizes where the student struggles, and she gently guides me, finding new ways to help me understand and creating methods that fit my ability so I can succeed with every piece. I truly appreciate and admire her as my teacher.

My daughter has been in lessons with Cynthia for about three years. It is obvious, from hearing…read moreher more long-standing and accomplished students, that she has the experience and knowledge to prepare her students for a serious future in music. For us though, it it more about building competency and appreciation. My daughter enjoys the lessons (more than she likes practicing, according to her) and it has definitely helped develop both her ear, and her enthusiasm. From my perspective though, the main benefit it gives is for my daughter to learn to accept criticism and high expectations. Cynthia will hold your child (or you) to what is on the page. All of it: the notes, the rhythm, the tempo, the dynamics, the articulation...(plus some other stuff that I don't even know the name for), all at the same time...So it's a great opportunity for my kid to learn focus and multi-tasking. It can be a bit harrowing at times, as the all-of-it-right-all-at-the-same-time is not the approach taken in school, (or at home) but honestly, I'm grateful that my daughter can experience this, as discipline/hard work/humility/practice /all those cliches are obviously going to be required for whatever she chooses to pursue. Cynthia is strict, but also rejoices when the student does finally find success. She knows the student is capable of more than they themselves, or the parents might initially believe. My daughter definitely gets frustrated during practice at home, but she keeps working on it, and eventually gets the satisfaction of learning and getting it right. Also, the songs in the books get good pretty quickly! They are a good mix of pretty, fun, energetic without much dreck...super helpful when you hear it many times over.

If are looking for a piano teacher for an energetic child, run away from this woman and never look…read moreback. She was monstrous. I do not recommend Cynthia for piano lessons for young children. We had an absolutely awful experience. She humiliated and rejected my 7-year-old son, who genuinely loves piano and was trying his best. When he began to grow emotional, she continued to criticize him while speaking to me in front of him. I have never encountered such an unkind or unprofessional approach from someone who chooses to work children. At one point, she even asked me, "Is he in special ed or something?" -- an absolutely offensive and inappropriate question on so many levels. To act like this in front of a young child who was doing his best is unconscionable. While she uses stickers and small prizes as motivation, her teaching style relies on constant criticism rather than balanced feedback. Instead of combining positive reinforcement with gentle correction, she fixates on mistakes and ignores effort or progress. Our experience with her was deeply upsetting and the opposite of what learning music should be.

Kathryn is a wonderful piano teacher! She taught my 15 year old daughter piano for 9 years. My…read moredaughter showed up at age 6 to her first lesson not knowing a single note of music, and over the past 9 years Kathryn helped shape her into a mature pianist who has developed a true love of music. Kathryn has a very gentle, organic approach to teaching piano, and before your child knows it, they are reading music and counting rhythm. It is a tears free approach to teaching and learning! Kathryn does hold her students to high standards, and will expect that your child will practice daily, and it is worth it! http://kathrynwinterpiano.com/

A little over a year ago I read the only review on Yelp of this instructor. I was looking for a…read morepiano teacher close to our house for my 9-year-old son. I figured it would take a while to find the right teacher for him. But we were lucky. Kathryn is the real deal. She lives to teach, and she's really good at it. She and my son seem to have a soul connection; she understands him, finding music that she knows he'll enjoy playing. This keeps his lessons and his practice alive for him--piano is exciting and interesting. There's love and care and time put into everything she does to prepare for lessons with my son. Kathryn has healthy, realistic expectations for him, and I appreciate this. A teacher myself, I see the wisdom in how she works with him. Kathryn taught both piano and music theory in Cal's Gifted Young Musicians program for 30 years--her many years of experience are a BIG asset, and she is whip-smart and fun. I love the twinkle she has in her eye, and the special way she is able to connect with children of all ages (we have strayed a while as she teaches other children who come after us). I also love that she is slow and methodical in her thinking and speech--she works with great intention. If there were a "slow-food" version of piano teaching, my guess is that Kathryn could really market her approach. My son started with her without having any knowledge of musical notation or instruction; a little over a year later he is playing advanced musical pieces, and understanding complicated music theory. My son, as it turns out, has a "gifted" capacity for music. Kathryn knows how to work with all capacities and arranges the lessons so they are appropriate for each child. She doesn't take children under 5 years old normally ... she prefers to start at a more developmentally appropriate age. That said, Kathryn never turns down anyone without meeting them and the parents for a tryout lesson. You can learn more about her on her website: http://kathrynwinterpiano.com/ Or contact her via phone: 510.527.3839

I had the joy of working with Melanie as a voice instructor after meeting her through a class at…read morethe Freight & Salvage. Her upbeat, encouraging demeanor combined with her extensive vocal knowledge helped me get over my fears of singing in front of other people to finally enjoy a hobby that I loved. Since then, I've worked with her on an individual basis -- running the gamut of in-person lessons and then virtual ones when the pandemic interfered. Melanie is so supportive as she figures out where to help you improve upon. She does a great job encouraging and framing things in a positive way. After working with Melanie, I feel like I actually have a "vocal practice", something I couldn't have said just a year or two ago.

I have studied viola da gamba with Amy Brodo for more than a year. I am an intermediate player with…read moresome learning challenges (learning disabilities). I have studied with a handful of teachers as an adult returning to music after several decades of not playing -- and I must say that Amy is the best teacher by far. I have had difficulties in the past persuading my instructors that no, I really couldn't reproduce the gesture or technique being demonstrated to me, my brain and hands just didn't work that way. Amy has been delightfully open to problem-solving along with me so that together as pupil and teacher we figure out how to work *with* my learning challenges, rather than against them, or around them. She is a gifted teacher: she inspires me, makes me want to play, commiserates with tricky fingering and bowing, slows down when I need time to write something down or record her on my phone. She is funny, and gracious and encouraging. AND she plays divinely. She is truly a teacher for adults as well as for kids. You will thrive if you are ready to throw yourself into the total experience of making music. She plays with a gorgeous resonant velvety tone. You will sit back in awe in how she draws exquisitely rich tones from her instrument. AND she will do her best to show you how to do this too!

Madeline is magical! She made me feel super comfortable from the moment I met her and it has been a…read moretrue pleasure to work with her. I really appreciate her holistic approach to singing. She covers everything from voice anatomy (not just the diaphragm!) to exercises to breathing and performing--and her incredible voice is an inspiration! To say that I am learning a lot from her--and that she is reshaping the way that I sing--would be a huge understatement. I highly recommend Madeline!

Maddy is an amazing vocalist, a superb songwriter and a fantastic instrumentalist…read more I personally find her music captivating, extremely well written and arranged. I have hired Maddy for recording projects and been extremely satisfied with her ability to tackle both conventional and non conventional styles with proficiency and grace. She is a delight to work with and I would hire her any time for any of my projects. Though I hired her as a performing artist, I would also highly recommend her as a composer as her style is one of my personal favorites.