Matoush Melodies Piano (Studio/Online) IN SAN JOSE

Serves Santa Clara, CA

35244

Hired 123 times

1 employee

19 years in business

$55

4.9

This pro accepts payments via Cash, Check, Google Pay, PayPal, and Zelle.

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Credentials

Background Check

Toby Matoush
Completed on 9/29/2016

Introduction

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.

Q&A

What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?

Discounts available; contact me for details. Please note that I do not offer any discounts as my hourly rate is already extremely reasonable for my level of expertise and experience. Sometimes the Thumbtack platform adds discounts; these discounts do not apply to my studio prices. $50 for 30 min $65 for 45 min (more for in-home lessons) $72 for 60 min (more for in-home lessons)

What is your typical process for working with a new customer?

Contact me via phone to set up a trial lesson so we can go over what you would like me to focus on for your child's musical education. We can answer questions about methodologies, schedules, etc. over phone or text.

What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?

BA in classical piano performance at a young age and multiple performance scholarships, master classes from the University of the Pacific at age 15. Graduate studies at the famous Berklee College of Music as well as Pacific College of Music. Masters degree in pedagogy. 12 years of private classical piano lessons from Ashland Rachmaninoff specialist Cynthia Whittier. Songwriting/Composition Training from the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston Multiple performances as a soloist Currently working with my band on a music video for YouTube and a CD; will be performing songs from it next year Jazz piano studies with local jazz pianists Debbie Poyres (from the Berkeley Jazz College) and Martan Mann.

How did you get started doing this type of work?

I began teaching in my late teens as a classical piano performance major many years ago.

What types of customers have you worked with?

I have students who are both adults and children and am comfortable working with all ages and all levels of skill.

Describe a recent project you are fond of. How long did it take?

My band and I are working on creating music videos of our band performances. I play with a virtuoso power trio (myself on piano with rock guitar and drums). We do a blend of original compositions by myself and my band guitarist as well as covers of rock classics like Riders on the Storm.

What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?

Why do you want to play piano and what do you hope to achieve? Do you want a teacher who only teaches classical like most piano teachers, or someone like me who teaches classical, theory, rock, and songwriting? Make sure that you choose a teacher with a degree and teaching experience (if they don't list anything in their profile, then they probably don't have a degree or extensive experience teaching) Beware of amateurs who drive to homes but have no BA or actual music training. If your child starts playing the wrong way and develops bad playing habits, they will be very hard to break. I provide expertise, advanced playing technique, over 10 years of teaching experience, can teach composition, and all of this is for a reasonable price that can't be beat.

What questions should customers think through before talking to professionals about their project?

1) Why do you want to study with me? 2) What do you want to learn? (what kind of music, theory? songwriting, etc.) 3) What kind of piano should I have? 4) How fast do you want to learn and how many minutes a day can you practice? 5) Why do you want to learn piano? For example; Self-enjoyment, want to be a musician, want to compose and arrange, want to be in a band, etc. 6) Do I want to travel to a professional (Most well-qualified teachers do not do in-home lessons since that time can be spent teaching/performing/composing) or is an amateur with no degree suitable for me? Take into account that amateurs are only good for beginners and you will need to change teachers after a short time