Private Music Lessons in Pasadena, CA

Hi! I’m Wes Nelson, and I am a professional bass and guitar teacher. I can teach whatever style of music you're interested in (indie, rock, pop, funk, jazz, etc.) as well as songwriting, sightreading, production, and music theory. All skill levels are welcome, and no experience is required. My teaching combines hands-on playing with theory so that you not only learn your favorite music, but how it works. My purpose as your teacher is to help you realize and achieve your goals as an aspiring musician. I have 18 years of music experience as both a bass player and guitarist and have an MFA in music from CalArts. I have extensive international touring, studio, and performance experience and have played alongside artists such as Mike Stern, zzzahara, Ny Oh, LP Giobbi, DJ Tennis, Bonzie, Shearling, and Randy Brecker and have recorded at studios such as East West, Sunset Sound, and Capitol Records. I have 10+ years of experience teaching privately and in public high schools. All of this has given me a deep perspective on what it means to be a musician. Music has deeply enriched my life and my job is to help it enrich yours regardless of your skill level or goals. Lessons are available both in-person and online.

MFA Interdisciplinary Dance Performance and MFA Piano Performance, Tulane University I love my life, and I love teaching! Currently, I have a wonderful, diverse group of students who inspire me. Some are children as young as 5 years old, and others are adults, from complete beginners to award-winning artists. Now, I'm looking for more talented, passionate, and hard-working students here on Thumbtack! In addition to performance, I am trained in pedagogy, which means I know how to teach in many different ways. I create a unique lesson plan for every student, based on their interests and abilities. Ultimately, I want lessons to be fun! Students are taught how to approach every piece of music/dance confidently, economically, and artistically. My Master’s Thesis focused on the dynamic, interdependent relationship between movement and sound. Deconstructing piano technique into simple choreographic units helps students learn faster and play more expressively. I am very proud of receiving my Master of Fine Arts in Piano Performance under world renowned concert and recording artist, Faina Lushtak. My ballet training includes School of American Ballet, NYC Ballet, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, and Delta Festival Ballet.

Traveling Music Lessons will help you find the right teacher for your family - with lessons that occur in the comfort of your home! Our talented teachers all have music degrees, or equivalent work experience, and they have all passed a background check.

I have extensive experience in many areas with a Doctor of Music Degree from Yale, and am on the faculty at AMDA and UCLA teaching many genres of music including pop, musical theater, and classical- piano and voice. I love helping people of all levels discover their potential and watching their growth! In vocal teaching- I have helped many singers expand their range, sing with less tension, feel more confident using a variety of techniques I have gathered from many professional singers, studied with the best teachers in Los Angeles and New York, and singers are often shocked how quickly they find more ease in their singing and greater confidence! I am effective at turning on the mix for both male and female voices, and helpful to singers at all stages of their development. I can also provide piano tracks for singers, and can transpose karaoke tracks upon request. I like to split our time between technical exercises and songs. In piano teaching- I am happy to teach both classical and popular styles. For beginning and intermediate students I find the piano adventures series to be especially good for all ages, supplemented with pieces that the students are passionate about. In advanced players, I find that a combination of pieces I suggest and music that excites the student work well! I love preparing my students for the CM certificate of merit evaluations through MTAC, and other competitive events! I am also effective in getting intermediate players to read music faster and more effectively!