I have come to Scarlett at different times in my life. The first to come back to a love of singing…read moreafter stopping upon leaving my high school choir. At that time she helped me through her skill and encouragement to pursue my dream of singing, going as far as to help me audition and attend SF conservatory of music. After realizing while I love to sing, I didn't neccesarily want to become an opera singer, I went back to Scarlett a second time for support in coming up with an original song adaptation to sing for my wife at our marriage ceremony. The reason why I outline these moments is to firstly express my gratitude to Scarlett in all the ways she has supported me in my life in having the joy of singing be a bigger part of it. Secondly is to let others know the incredible range that Scarlett has to meet and mold her students to become whatever they might want to be in their singing aspirations. Scarlett is an incredible voice teacher, a gifted pianist and accompanist, as well as having a huge knowledge and music library to match any vocal students unique singing styles and desires. Scarlett is patient, funny, compassionate, and a general wonderful person to be around. 5 stars all the way, I couldn't recommend her enough.

I paid almost $100 for one voice lesson and the lesson was her lecturing me for an hour I didn't…read moreget to sing. She had laminated lecture notes and the whole works for plans for lectures in the future. I didn't come back because I don't want to spend money on lectures I've already had voice training in my lifetime and none of it ever involved being voiceless and quiet for an hour. I wanted to sing and be coached on my singing. I think people have a lot of respect for tradition and might not be as honest and straightforward as I'm being in this review. I think it's fair to know before you go in there that this is about $100 for a lecture unless she changes her style of teaching which I don't think is going to happen because this person seems really used to doing this the way she does it.

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

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.

Lila is extremely skilled as a violinist, of course, and also as a teacher. I think most important…read moreis how she relates to her students: she is patient and cares about my progress and what is interesting to me. This is the most important thing for a teacher. In terms of helping with technique: Lila is very attentive when I play, can pinpoint what I'm doing wrong and offer corrective advice. She also is really good at explaining how to express emotion: she is an artist and encourages expression in her students. I am very proud of the progress I've made in the now almost 2 years of learning violin and I owe it to Lila. For adults who are considering learning violin, I would say, do it now and give Lila a call.

Our experiences with Lila began with lessons for our son, who took lessons with Lila while in the…read more6th grade. He eventually discontinued with the violin, but I then took his spot!-- as I was so impressed with her demeanor and instruction. I've been taking lessons with Lila for 2 years now, as a 50+ year old adult. I studied violin last when I was in high school, so this has been a real interesting journey. If you go to one of Lila's recitals you will find an interesting thing - both young students and adult learners (some first-time learners, some reconnecting with their instrument after many years), and a real sense of community. Some of us even joined a little club getting together once a week to play together. Lila has really helped me develop by improving my technique while engaging with my interest in a variety of music genres. Can't say enough good things.

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.

From my 12yo daughter: I have been a student with Susie for about 2 years now. She is an incredible…read moreteacher, who lets you choose whichever song you like. She is gentle but strict, and assigns very little homework which she doesn't take too seriously. Her teaching methods are kind and patient, and she's done wonders for me. I highly recommend taking lessons with her, she'll take you very far. From me: Susie has been a really excellent choice for a kid who leans toward pop music. She does a great job of making sure that my daughter does her theory homework (without being a taskmaster about it) and learns to sight read, which is great, because my kid inherited my ear and could easily skate through just memorizing what she hears and not be able to sight read later in life. I wish that Susie had been my teacher - I'd probably be able to read sheet music! LOL We've seen a lot of progress with both piano proficiency and my daughter being able to sing and play at the same time, which is fun to watch and listen to. Overall, highly recommend. As a bonus, my kid gets to truthfully tell her friends that she has a rock 'n roll piano teacher who played keyboards for Billy Idol and Mick Jagger. Sweeeeet.

Susie is a wonderful piano teacher. My 10.5 year old started with her about 1.5 years ago and she…read moremade incredible strides and really quickly. What's more Susie has helped nurture her love of music. We have done both in person and Zoom classes and both have been great. Susie is a caring, loving, dedicated teacher.

Mariam is an incredible, European conservatory trained concert pianist and fabulous teacher. She…read moreis patient, encouraging and straightforward in a quiet way with criticism. She teaches you how to practice, gives clear lessons on how to improve technique, is helpful in customizing fingering for your hand and knows how to bring you along through the phases of learning a piece. Its not only about playing the notes. Mariam explains the composer's intentions, the dynamics, mood, and tempo of a work. I took piano through high school and have had a couple of teachers as an adult over the decades. More than ever, I am enjoying and learning piano because of Mariam's teaching ability and her undeniable expertise and knowledge. You are a lucky person if you become her student.

As a child I took piano lessons for nearly 11 years but as a grew older I gradually stopped playing…read morethe piano. Over the years I've had the desire to start learning again and I'm thankful I've found Mariam. Although she's a very educated and professional pianist, she's an extremely talented teacher as well. She's caring, she's incredibly patient, and she knows how to focus on the individual needs of her students. Mariam is truly an incredible pianist and an even better instructor. She has the ability of teaching all age levels and all skill levels. If you're a beginner looking to learn, she's more than willing and capable. On the other hand, if you're a professional pianist and your desire is to further your professional career, she's more than capable of helping you.

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.