I am a professional pianist, teacher, and counselor who moved to the East Bay to pursue my master's degree in Expressive Arts Therapy at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco. For the over fifteen years, I have been earning my income as a performing artist, accompanist, and teacher.
Anna has an extensive background working as a teacher and an entrepreneur in the arts since 1989. She is the founder and director of Musically Minded Studio. She also ran Funk Works Urban and Ethnic Dance Studio, with live musicians accompanying each ethnic dance class, and East Bay Presents, and non-profit organization that presented concerts in intimate sized spaces in the East Bay.
Ilana is a freelance violist and teacher in the San Francisco Bay Area. She holds a Master’s degree in viola performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and a B.A. in music from Wesleyan University in Connecticut. She is the assistant principal violist of the Berkeley Symphony, and a member of both the Sacramento Philharmonic and the West Bay Opera Orchestra. She appears frequently with other Bay Area ensembles, including the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, Oakland, Marin, Modesto, Merced, and Silicon Valley Symphonies.
I am an energetic Teacher - my classes are always informative and lively. We have Winter and Spring recitals, and during the summer we compose for September's "Young Composers' Concert".
It takes a great deal to be a successful mentor of talented young musicians. In addition to providing first-class technical and musical instruction, a mentor must nurture, inspire, guide, and be a students biggest cheer leader and first concert promoter. People like this are rare and in my tours around the world I have had the privilege of meeting only a few. My favorite is San Francisco's Scott Cmiel!
- Antigoni Goni, Royal Conservatory of Brussels
An active performer I have soloed in recital, opera, concert and musical theatre in the bay area and beyond. Sample roles: Tosca, Leonora-Trovatore, Tatyana-Onegin, Verdi Requiem, Elijah, Kiss me Kate and Side by Side by Sondheim.
Born and raised in Bay Area. Taught music in schools in Vallejo and Fairfield from first grade through 12th grade. Recently retired. Conduct the Diablo Women's Chorale in Walnut Creek and have an after school choir at Vanden High School. I was organist and choir director for two churches for 25 years. Don't know which I like better-piano or singing.
I am a professional Musician & Artist Teacher.
My aim is to offer a course of study to all ages and abilities based on their desire to learn.
I encourage my students to obtain the highest goals to the best of their ability, and to instill the Joy of Music into their lives.
I come from artistic & musical family.
Both my Mother(Rachel A. Sponsel attended Julliard in 1934) & Father were pianists.
My father was also an artist & chemical engineer.
Hi I believe in making music lessons fun and rewarding-- making music an interest of a life time. I focus on:
musicianship- pitch, rhythm
technique- how to operate the instrument
musicality- expression and understanding
I use the following method books:
Suzuki
Strictly Strings
Schradieck Etudes
Wholfahrt Etudes
Kreutzer Etudes
Concerti by Vivaldi, Bach, and Mozart
Solo Suites by Bach
Chamber Music and Sonatas