Brad H. TakeLessons Instructor piano, music theory, Beginning Voice Glendale, CA

I love teaching, I love music, and I love people! I say that first because my credentials would be pretty meaningless if I wasn’t a nice guy who loves what he does. 

With that in mind, here is my teaching philosophy, including what you can expect from me as a teacher and as a person:

MY PHILOSOPHY

1. I believe that every child is precious (and every adult too, for that matter!) and deserves to be nurtured and encouraged in a fun and loving environment. First and foremost, that is what I wish to provide for your son or daughter (or you!). Because of that, you can expect that I will come to lessons already loving my students, ready to give them a safe environment in which to grow both musically and personally.
2. I believe in the power of music to reach deep into the human personality and express the otherwise inexpressible (from joy to grief, from hope to despair, from the complexity of relationships to the simplest of pleasures). On the other hand, music can just be really fun! Because of that, you can expect that I will foster an appreciation for music both as a powerful art form and as playful entertainment.
3. I believe in self-confidence and self-motivation to enable the human spirit to reach its full potential. Because of that, you can expect that I will endeavor to inspire in my students a sense of self-esteem, a drive to learn, and a love of life in general.
4. I believe in discipline as vital not only to musical progress, but to any kind of progress in life. Because of that, you can expect that I will encourage consistent and regular practice, always keeping in mind that the study of music is meant to be fun!
5. I consider myself a servant of my students, desiring only to bring out the best in them. Therefore, I will neither push them too hard nor be too lenient, but do my part to help them achieve the goals we establish for them together as student, parent (if applicable), and teacher.

In short: "I will do my best ... in what I do best ... to do what's best ... for you or your child."

OK, now for the credentials:

MY EDUCATION

It's a familiar story: one day when I was ten, my cousin came over and played the first few notes of Für Elise. From then on, I was hooked!

1.    I studied piano for five years with a local teacher, then went on to the New England Conservatory Preparatory School, where I studied under Jonathan Bass. I also took a strong interest in music theory and composition, earning the Department Award for both subjects.

2.    Upon graduation, I moved to Los Angeles, where I studied composition at USC's Thornton School of Music. After doing very well in the program for two years, I decided to pursue psychology in order to understand the human personality better (with a special interest in child development).

3.    I graduated with a B.A. in Psychology (3.9 major GPA), then decided to pursue my Master of Music in Choral Conducting at Azusa Pacific University, where I am currently studying voice with L.A. Opera’s David Kress and conducting with Dr. David Hughes.

MY EXPERIENCE

In addition to my extensive study of the piano, I have had many other valuable experiences as a musician and teacher, including but not limited to the following:

1.    I have participated in numerous choirs over the years, performing in such venues as St. Peter’s in Rome and St. Mark’s in Venice, where I performed high mass with the APU Chamber Singers. With the USC Concert Choir I have sung with the Los Angeles Philharmonic under world renowned conductor Helmut Rilling in a performance of Bach’s masterpiece St. Matthew Passion and have shared the stage with Barbra Streisand at the 2001 Emmy Awards.

2.    As a soloist, I have performed in events around southern California with the professional caroling company Dickens and Company and have sung the bass solos in the Christmas portion of Handel’s Messiah under the direction of Brian Trevor.

3.    As a church musician, I have served as assistant music director at Palo Verde Avenue Christian Church and worship leader at Silverlake Community Church. I have also led worship for ministries associated with The Church On The Way.

4.    I have been teaching for over eight years, having worked with every age level from preschool to college and beyond, in one-on-one as well as classroom settings. I have taught not only music, but also Math, English, SAT Prep, and college-level music theory. My private music students range from 4 to 90 years of age, and I also teach for a performing arts academy in Pasadena.

All this to say: I am a very well-rounded musician and teacher, experienced in many aspects of musical training and performance.

Well, that's me in a nutshell. I hope we can learn together, and I look forward to meeting you!

God bless,
Brad

Classical, Musical Theater, Film Music, Pop

piano, music theory, Beginning Voice