Private Music Lessons in Santa Clara, CA

​Grammy nominated record executive, producer and recording/touring artist. Lessons at my Studio in San Jose or Online. Ranked Best Guitar Lessons in San Jose Bay Area! I have toured around the world with bands such as John Mayer, Joe Bonamassa, Guns N Roses, Lady Gaga, Orianthi, Ozzy Osbourne, Dokken, Michael Angelo Batio, Ratt and Metallica. I have studio experience. Over 20+ experience in teaching, touring and recording. I specialize in rock, metal, blues, fingerstyle, pop acoustic, and classical music. I can teach beginners how to start correctly yet learn fast from techniques I developed myself and learned from guitar masters such as Joe Satriani, John Mayer, Steve Vai and George Lynch themselves. I can also teach advanced techniques, artist development, live and gear consultation. As well as music business. About Me: Teaching since: 1992 I'm Ahmad a very enthusiastic musician. I started out teaching myself guitar at the age of 12. I moved to the U.S. in 2001 and studied music for 15 years receiving my B.M. and M.M in music and audio production at Berklee College of music and San Francisco State University respectively. I then moved to Los Angeles then studied and trained with John Mayer, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, George Lynch and many others. I have performed hundreds of concerts in the U.S. as well in Europe and the Middle East with Artists such as John Mayer, Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica, Guns N Roses, Joe Bonamassa, Orianthi, Michael Angelo Batio, Ratt, Sammy Hagar, Dokken and many others. I ranked #1 in the Slash Guitar Center competition. I was in the "list of top 5 guitar players ever" according to The Examiner, also picked as one of the best guitarists in the Rockwell UnScene magazine, and ranked 3rd in the Steve Vai Sam Ash Best in Shred competition. I find a student's strengths and weaknesses using various ways to encourage each student. I am very patient, kind, flexible. I strongly support basic skills: sight-reading, pitch and tone. I have 25 years experience teaching kids and adults guitar. Also performing live and in the studio. *** Lesson Details *** My objectives: to help students powerfully communicate through the essence of music and aid the development of children and adults by finding their strengths and weaknesses and to develop their skills and show their musical talents. I emphasize basic skills, good sight-reading, guitar technique, and theory. Lessons are held using composers from various time periods that speaks to the individual student. A lesson may be 10-15 min. for warm-ups and scales, 10-15 min. theory and rest playtime. In three to six months the student will reach their goals An intermediate lesson has more focus on music and technique from a specific genre. A specialty is preparation for guitar auditions, doing live or studio gigs, playing professionally or scale your music income, *** Specialties *** I teach the skills very strongly, and also encourage students and challenge them, as well. I also have new techniques for teaching Electric, Acoustic and Classical Guitar.

STUDIO LOCATION: PLEASE CHECK MY LOCATION IF YOU ARE IN SAN JOSE BEFORE CONTACTING ME to make sure my location works for you. (My studio is in Cambrian Park and a block from Hogue Park in the Bascom and Camden area). I DO NOT DO IN-HOME LESSONS. I am close to many areas as I'm right off freeways. RCM/ABRSM SPECIALIZED PERFORMANCE EXAM TRAINING: I provide training and coach students to score high on both RCM and ABRSM exams. Experienced with students of all levels. I have never had a student fail a test and can guarantee your child will not fail and as long as they practice, will score high. Happy to provide referrals to parents of students who have done testing for years as well as scores. CUSTOMIZED LEARNING TAILORED TO INDIVIDUALS: (Learn the Songs You Love) The most important thing about my teaching is that I customize to make the learning experience meaningful to each unique student. I make learning enjoyable for everyone with individualized curriculum and music and guarantee that you will progress FASTER with me than with other teachers because of this attention to detail and my expertise in technique, theory, and piano repertoire. ALL LEVELS/ALL GENRES: I teach all levels from beginning through college entry and coach students with performance exams and competitions. I am equally comfortable teaching advanced level classical piano and rock piano. You can play anything from pop music, to classical, to film or video game music, to neoclassical, to New Age with me. I will help you find music you really love playing. PROFESSIONAL TRAINING/BACKGROUND: My training is classical (BA classical piano performance, 10 years of private lessons with a Rachmaninoff expert, advanced studies in piano pedagogy, also studied songwriting at Berklee College of Music); yet I've played with local bands and compose crossover music. I am currently working on an album of original music which will be available on all streaming platforms. I've taught at both the college level and studied pedagogy extensively as well as ran for my own private piano studio/taught from a home studio for over 15 years. I only teach piano and am incredibly passionate about playing and composing. I love teaching piano and want to share my love of piano with you no matter whether you're new to piano or are a Chopin lover like myself and want to learn the Ballade in G minor or the Rachmaninoff Prelude in #C minor. TEACH THEORY, TECHNIQUE, SIGHT-READING & EXTENSIVE REPERTOIRE: I provide my students with a comprehensive foundation in theory, technique, and proper posture/hand position and cover some of the most beautiful repertoire in the field. Each student gets customized lessons that best address their strengths as well as the areas that they need work in. I also provide detailed practice instructions which is important as many students do not know how to practice. We set learning goals and we meet them; I can guarantee that after many years of teaching. MY STUDIO HAS A PROFESSIONAL 6'1 YAMAHA C3 GRAND MADE FOR MUSIC CONSERVATORIES & COLLEGES: My light and large piano studio has a 6'1 YAMAHA C3 (An incredible grand piano), Stage 2 Nord Synthesizer (the best synthesizer money can buy), and an upright Baldwin. Most of my students are age 7-14; but I do also teach motivated adults. I typically provide everything you need including all music except for lesson books. You have access to one of the best grands you can play as well as the best synthesizers. I have taught piano since I was a teen and have been winning awards and scholarships since then. One of the first was acceptance into the prestigious piano master class at University of the Pacific at age 14. I started performing as a teen and currently compose my own music and perform with a crossover trio. I teach improv and songwriting and about a third of my younger students work with me on composition or arranging. RECITALS: I have 2-3 recitals a year at formal recital hall and multiple informal performing opportunities/small recitals for students at my studio on my grand. It's very important to also practice performing as that is an art in itself. WHY STUDY WITH ME? RAPID PROGRESS, SONGS YOU LOVE! If your child or you study with me, you will see clear and rapid progress, yet you or your child will really enjoy the journey. My students progress and learn to play rapidly as I customize lessons to best fit their strengths. Piano and playing/composing/teaching piano is my greatest passion in life. I invite you to let me teach you the beauty of music and joy of playing.

Music is my life! I love all styles of music and firmly believe EVERYONE CAN SING! I will do all I can to encourage and support aspiring singers and assist those who just need some polishing, as well. I am patient, and I believe in you. I also work with speakers, teachers, actors and voice actors! I am located in southern California and I’m happy to offer in person and online sessions.

Laying Foundations, Expanding Creativity, Awaking Aspiration. Alan Cross is trained classically and in jazz. He has studied and played for 26 years including a focus on music at Concordia University. Alan has played as a pianist in jazz combos, as a choir accompanist, as a keyboardist in several pop bands, and has worked as a music director. As an experienced piano teacher, he recently moved to Northern California from Aliso Viejo, where he was the music director at Aliso Viejo Church of the Cross and Christian School. Alan has helped many students develop solid musical foundations, expanded creative abilities, and a deep-rooted love for music. Alan has had great success with both children and adults. Lessons are taught out of Alan's home in Saratoga, CA, and online via Skype or FaceTime and other helpful programs. His rates are $45/half hour, $62/forty-five minutes, and $82/hour. To inquire about lessons, please write and include the age of the student, a brief description of his or her playing experience, and the times/days you are available for lessons.