Elementary

I am a professional violinist with the San Francisco Opera and Ballet Orchestras with advanced degrees in Music Performance and Pedagogy from Boston University and The Royal College of Music in London. I have taught violin and given master classes in the United States and England since 1987. Students of all ages are welcome, from 8 to 80! My students include former concertmasters of the Marin Youth Symphony, and others have gone on to continue their music studies at major universities such as UC Berkeley and Lawrence University.

Pianist Candice Choi is excited to bring her exceptionally unique East Coast musical training back to her hometown, San Francisco. Her imaginative and festive performance of Richard Danielpour’s Enchanted Garden crowned her the winner of New Jersey Music Teacher’s Association (NJTMA) Young Musicians Competition and her fervent interpretation of Saint Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 2 awarded her the honorable 2009 Concerto Competition winner at University of the Pacific.

For me, there is nothing more exciting than working with young and developing voices- helping children discover a love and a talent that can bring them joy and empower them, youth nurture their talent and develop healthy habits that they can take from their garage band to their choir, school musical, or in the case of many of my past students, university programs, national musical theatre tours, major children's choral organizations, and regional opera houses, and adults find the voice they didn't know they possessed or further their passion in the midst of life's demands.

I am committed to helping singers build healthy vocal skills through a wide variety of exercises and repertoire. Goals for my singers include helping them explore their complete vocal range and color; hone musicianship skills; make connections between the voice and their entire being; and become confident performers.

I have 18 years of experience teaching children and adults in jazz, rock and pop music. I am supportive and patient, helping students to find their own voice and teaching them how to master their instrument with passion. I have written,recorded, arranged and produced my own songs and just finished my third CD " For The Time Being". I teach from my studio in Berkeley which is equipped with proper amplification, up to date recording technology and computer programs. I emphasize the joy of singing and support my students in their choice of music.

Freelance Musician and Professional Private Teacher who worked with several Parks and Recreation Dept. in the Peninsula teaching. Also performed with the Peninsula Symphony, Burlingame Chamber Orchestra, San Francisco Concerto Orchestra and Berkeley Symphony. Currently plays with the Millennium Chamber Orchestra in San Carlos.
In addition to my private studio, I presently teach at Bronstein Music in South San Francisco.

Margaret Secour is a classically trained opera singer. She studied in the Opera Program at California State University, Long Beach. As a singer, she has performed with San Francisco Opera Chorus, San Francisco Symphony Chorus, San Francisco Lyric Opera, Lamplighters, and Oakland Civic Theatre; toured nationally with Pasadena-based Opera a la Carte, a Gilbert and Sullivan company; and appeared internationally with Master Chorale of Orange County. Ms.

I'm a composer primarily working in acoustic chamber music as well as a classical saxophonist.
As a saxophonist, I seek to represent the saxophone as the incredibly expressive and versatile instrument that it is. In my choices in repertoire, I prefer to lean toward 20th and 21st century music, but I am familiar with the standard repertoire for the saxophone and I spent several years playing jazz in combos and big bands.
In my teaching, I first always focus on fundamentals and continually return to those even when working on more advanced musical topics.

I have been teaching beginning and intermediate level students, children and adults, for 35+ years. I incorporate theory and ear-training, and ensemble work in the lessons. Students are encouraged to share their accomplishments through workshops and performances. Playing music as a soloist and as a chamber musician has greatly enriched my life, and I try to give these opportunities to each student.