Marco Apicella Keys

When it comes to pricing, I believe in transparency and honesty. While my rates may be slightly higher than the average in Los Angeles, I am confident that the quality of my teaching justifies the investment. My approach to teaching is focused on developing a strong foundation and avoiding technical limitations or inefficiencies. I prioritize individual attention and customized lesson plans to ensure that each student's needs and goals are met. In terms of discounts, I offer a 10% discount for students who purchase a package of four lessons and a 15% discount for those who purchase a package of six lessons. I believe that these packages not only offer financial savings but also provide a more effective learning experience as they allow for consistent and uninterrupted progress. Ultimately, my goal is to help my students reach their full potential as musicians, and I am committed to providing the highest quality of instruction possible.

When working with a new customer, my first step is to assess their current level of proficiency on the piano. This allows me to understand their strengths and areas for improvement, and helps me to tailor my approach to their individual needs. I then spend time getting to know the student and asking questions about their musical goals, preferences and interests. Based on this information, I develop a customized study plan that takes into account the student's skill level, learning style, and goals. My teaching style is the result of my extensive experience studying, performing, and teaching jazz piano around Europe and the United States. I believe in a holistic approach that incorporates both technical skill development and creativity. Throughout our lessons, I offer constructive feedback and encouragement to help the student make steady progress towards their goals. I also encourage open communication and welcome questions and feedback from the student. Ultimately, my goal is to create a positive and productive learning environment that helps the student grow as a musician and enjoy the process of learning to play the piano.

I have a strong educational background that has prepared me well for my work as a jazz piano teacher. I began my formal training by studying classical piano performance at Rome's conservatory, one of the most prestigious conservatories in Europe. However, during my teenage years, I developed a strong interest in jazz and decided to pursue this passion further. To learn more about jazz, I moved to Holland and studied Jazz Piano at Rotterdam's universities for the arts. Here, I had the opportunity to learn from some of the best jazz pianists in the country. Following this, I applied and was accepted to study a master's degree in Jazz Studies at the University of Southern California. During my time at USC, I had the privilege of studying with some of the most renowned jazz musicians and educators in history, such as Bob Mintzer, Peter Erskine, Vince Mendoza, Alan Pasqua, Russell Ferrante, Bill Cunliffe, and Billy Childs. This experience was invaluable in shaping my approach to teaching jazz piano. Currently, I am in the process of earning a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Music Teaching and Learning with a minor in Screen Scoring and Business from the University of Southern California. This advanced degree program has allowed me to deepen my understanding of music education and develop new strategies for helping my students learn and grow.

I have always been deeply passionate about music, and specifically about playing the piano. As I continued to develop my skills, I found that I enjoyed sharing my knowledge and experience with others, whether it was through performing or teaching. When I moved to Holland to study jazz piano, I began performing and teaching on a more regular basis, and I quickly realized how much I enjoyed helping others discover the joy of playing music. This experience inspired me to continue pursuing teaching as a career, and after completing my master's degree in Jazz Studies at USC, I began teaching jazz piano full-time. Over the years, I have had the privilege of working with a wide variety of students, from beginners to advanced players, and I have found great joy in helping them develop their skills and achieve their musical goals. For me, teaching music is not just a job, it is a calling, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to share my passion for jazz piano with others on a daily basis.

I have had the pleasure of working with a wide range of customers throughout my career, from children to adults, and from beginners to advanced players. Some of my students have been professional musicians looking to refine their skills, while others have been hobbyists looking to learn something new. In my experience, each student is unique, with their own individual interests, learning style, and skill set. As a teacher, it is my job to adapt to each student's needs and help them achieve their musical goals. This has taught me that teaching is actually a two-way learning experience, and that I am constantly learning and growing as a teacher through my interactions with my students. Whether I am working with a professional musician, a young beginner, or anyone in between, my goal is always the same: to help them develop their skills and deepen their understanding and love of music. I believe that everyone has the potential to become a great musician, and it is my joy and privilege as a teacher to help them realize that potential.

I recently had the pleasure of working on an exciting project involving the arrangement and production of music for a live show. It was commissioned by MSC, one of the biggest cruise ship lines in the world, and showcased a cast comprised of actors, dancers, singers and circus performers. The project entailed re-arranging 12 existing pieces of music ranging from classical to jazz, from country to rock, to fit the dreamy and whimsical vibe of the show. I wrote the arrangements, hired the musicians, and recorded the music. Working in tandem with the show's producers, I ensured that their requests were met while staying true to my artistic vision. The entire process took approximately 6 months from conceptualizing the arrangements, creating demos, receiving feedback, consolidating the arrangements, and recording the final product. I am very fond of this project and enjoyed every minute of it.

My advice would be to look for someone who has a strong educational background and a wealth of experience performing and teaching in different settings. It's important to find someone who is passionate about their work and has a deep understanding of the music they play. I would also recommend looking for a provider who is flexible and can tailor their teaching style to the customer's specific needs and goals. In addition, it's important to consider the provider's rates, but also keep in mind that quality of teaching is often more important than price. Finally, I would recommend reading reviews and asking for references from past students or clients to get a better sense of the provider's teaching style and overall quality of work.

Before approaching a professional for a project in the field of music, it is important for customers to think through some important questions. Firstly, they should consider what their musical goals are and what they hope to achieve through the project. It is also important to think about what specific skills or expertise they are looking for in a professional, such as a certain instrument or music genre. Customers should also consider their budget and timeline for the project, as this will play a key role in finding the right provider. Additionally, it is helpful to think about any potential challenges or obstacles that may arise during the project, and to be prepared to discuss these with the professional. By considering these questions before approaching a provider, customers can ensure that they are well-prepared to have a productive and successful collaboration.