Middle School

I am an energetic Teacher - my classes are always informative and lively. We have Winter and Spring recitals, and during the summer we compose for September's "Young Composers' Concert".

It takes a great deal to be a successful mentor of talented young musicians. In addition to providing first-class technical and musical instruction, a mentor must nurture, inspire, guide, and be a students biggest cheer leader and first concert promoter. People like this are rare and in my tours around the world I have had the privilege of meeting only a few. My favorite is San Francisco's Scott Cmiel!
- Antigoni Goni, Royal Conservatory of Brussels

An active performer I have soloed in recital, opera, concert and musical theatre in the bay area and beyond. Sample roles: Tosca, Leonora-Trovatore, Tatyana-Onegin, Verdi Requiem, Elijah, Kiss me Kate and Side by Side by Sondheim. 

Born and raised in Bay Area. Taught music in schools in Vallejo and Fairfield from first grade through 12th grade. Recently retired. Conduct the Diablo Women's Chorale in Walnut Creek and have an after school choir at Vanden High School. I was organist and choir director for two churches for 25 years. Don't know which I like better-piano or singing.

I am a professional Musician & Artist Teacher.
My aim is to offer a course of study to all ages and abilities based on their desire to learn.
I encourage my students to obtain the highest goals to the best of their ability, and to instill the Joy of Music into their lives.
I come from artistic & musical family.
Both my Mother(Rachel A. Sponsel attended Julliard in 1934) & Father were pianists.
My father was also an artist & chemical engineer.

see www.thompsonstudios.com

Hi I believe in making music lessons fun and rewarding-- making music an interest of a life time. I focus on:

musicianship- pitch, rhythm
technique- how to operate the instrument
musicality- expression and understanding

I use the following method books:

Suzuki
Strictly Strings
Schradieck Etudes
Wholfahrt Etudes
Kreutzer Etudes
Concerti by Vivaldi, Bach, and Mozart
Solo Suites by Bach
Chamber Music and Sonatas

San Francisco Bay Area soprano Eliza O'Malley has performed leading roles throughout Northern California and since 2012 she has been the Artistic Director of Berkeley Chamber Opera. Favorite operatic roles include Tosca, Violetta, Luisa Miller, Countess Almaviva, Joan of Arc and Leonora (Trovatore).

A lover of new music, O'Malley has premiered works by Alexis Alrich, Stephen Clark, Allan Crossman, Patrick Dailly, Peter Josheff, Sheli Nan, Lisa Scola Prosek, Mary Watkins and more.

I am currently Children's Choir Director at St. Mary the Virgin Episcopal Church. I also work with the choir at Tamalpais High School in additional to teaching all levels of voice and beginning piano privately and offering family music lessons. For twelve years prior to 2009 I was soprano soloist at Old First Church. I am a regular soloist with Marin Symphony Chamber Chorus and have been a frequent soloist at many Bay Area churches. I am a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing and the Music Teachers Association of California.

My profession and love is early music. I received a very well-rounded education as a singer, conductor, instrumentalist, arranger and teacher, and I make my living using all of these skills.

My youngest students have been in preschool and kindergarten; my oldest (currently) is in her 80s. Some of my students are pre-professionals, some adult beginners. My methodology is a cross-pollenated one, and I design the curriculum to complement the skills of my individual students.