High School

Melissa Smith performs solo recitals and collaborates with pianists, singers, instrumentalists, theater groups, and opera companies throughout the Bay Area. Her teaching practice emphasizes fostering "musical imagination" and strives to bring out the inner musician in each child at every lesson. Her studio has grown through word-of-mouth from fewer than ten in 1995 to over thirty devoted students today. Smith teaches students on their own instruments in the familiar surroundings of their own homes, which fosters enhanced progress at the piano in each student.

I believe that a solid classical foundation on any instrument in essential to learning to play your instrument well. I have studied with the greatest flutists in the world: Julius Baker, Jean Pierre Rampal, Bob Willoughby, Tom Nyfenger and others, and played in many different idioms: Symphony Orchestra, Contemporary Ensembles performing new music, Jazz and Improvised styles, Brazilian Choro, Samba, Bossa Nova, and Latin Jazz. I have regular workshops for my students, divided into beginners/intermediates and advanced.

Ms. Flemming is whole-heartedly dedicated to the art of music teaching, working with students of all ages, discovering their unique talents, and having fun with them at the piano!

Born in Los Angeles, CA, Kathleen Flemming began her formal piano study at age seven, and in a short time was notating by ear the music she heard on the radio and TV.

Becca Burrington graduated in trombone performance with honors at Oberlin Conservatory, where she received the Conservatory Dean's Talent Award. She also studied at Interlochen Arts Center and received the Governor's Scholar and Outstanding Brass Performance award. Her teachers include Raymond Premru, Per Brevig, and Nicholas Orovich.

My name is Ariane Cap, I am the founder of Step Up music.
I am a bassist and educator. I perform regularly with various bands and I teach bass, piano and group classes at Step Up, I teach at the Academy of Art University San Francisco, and facilitate seminars and band camps throughout the country. (Read my bio here). Busy as I am, Step Up is my heart's work and my passion. Make sure to let me know how I can make your experience here at Step Up stellar.
Step Up Music currently has 13 teachers teaching a variety of instruments and classes.

My name is Ariane Cap, I am the founder of Step Up music.
I am a bassist and educator. I perform regularly with various bands and I teach bass, piano and group classes at Step Up, I teach at the Academy of Art University San Francisco, and facilitate seminars and band camps throughout the country. (Read my bio here). Busy as I am, Step Up is my heart's work and my passion. Make sure to let me know how I can make your experience here at Step Up stellar.
Step Up Music currently has 13 teachers teaching a variety of instruments and classes.

I began teaching at the University level before moving to California where I taught choir and drama in middle school and assisted at the high school. I have directed or performed in numerous Broadway-style musicals and also worked on film crews, as well as singing in concerts and operas. I enjoy teaching voice students of all ages and abilities from the non-singer to the very talented.

I began piano and composition at age six. Each student is unique and I choose the materials specifically. I have created many of the materials I use myself. I teach music theory through composition. I find great joy when able to shine a light on the imagination of a student and help them to express themselves in the language of music. Having studied many styles of piano playing from gospel to jazz I am most familiar with classical piano repertoire. Improvisation is an important part of my own professional performing experience as well as my teaching.

I love to teach the cello! Over the past 20 years, I have learned from my teachers all the ins and outs of playing cello - this includes how to specifically use the arms, fingers, hands, elbows; when to use the different parts of the bow (the lower half, middle and upper half); when to use different bow strokes (using the hand at the frog, the forearm in the middle to upper half); and also things such as relaxing the shoulders, keeping the elbow higher than the wrist in the upper half, angling the bow on the different strings, not leaning too much in the left hand.