Adult

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.

I've been teaching for over 30 years, all the time receiving great joy from doing something that inspires creativity and passion for both student and teacher. Whether young or old, beginner or advanced, each of my students receives my undivided attention and commitment to excellence.

I have been singing professionally for 50 years and am still going strong. My performing experience includes a Bach B Minor Mass with Robert Shaw, and many other oratorio performances; a long association with the San Francisco Contemporary Players, with whom I sang Schoenberg's Pierrot Lunaire several times, and many world and US premieres of 20th century music. I have sung in recital in Vienna and London, and more recently several programs on the Old First Concert series in San Francisco. In recital I perform a great variety of art song from German to French, Russian and Hungarian.

I have been teaching both traditional and Suzuki violin for over thirty years. I received my music degree from Boston University and studied with outstanding members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
I have taught in public and private schools for 14 years in the Boston area. We relocated to the Bay Area where I have been teaching violin in Walnut Creek for over 12 years.
I perform chamber music in the Bay area as a member of the Oak Hill Trio.

Soprano Norma Mayer has performed extensively on the opera stages of Europe and the United States. She has also taught voice and choral singing on many levels. She has been Assistant Professor of Music and Choir Director at Jarvis College, Adjunct Professor of Voice at the University of the Incarnate Word, Concordia University, Gavilan College, and California State University Monterey Bay, and has sung many roles on the opera stage. She also performs vocal recitals and with chamber music groups.

Jill Heinke, a young, dynamic chamber musician and music educator, is making her mark on the California music landscape.
While studying at UC Santa Barbara, Ms. Heinke performed as principal flute with the UCSB Orchestra, Musica Antigua, and the New Music Ensemble while participating in numerous chamber ensembles. While at UCSB, Ms. Heinke earned the Excellence-at-Entrance Award, a Women's Alumni Association Scholarship, and the Loren Toder Scholarship Award.

I help people of all ages develop a healthy – and playful – relationship with their singing and speaking voice. My students learn to sing and speak with a natural authenticity – a solid tone, an easy breath and a simple, open-hearted presence. I believe it's never too late to learn to sing well.

I offer private lessons for adults and children, ages 8 and up. Online lessons available.

Please visit www.mvmusik.com for more information. Thanks for reading!

I grew up in a musical family and have been playing string bass for over 50 years. I have been a public school teacher, a school owner and director of Stuart School in Santa Rosa, Calif. for 32 years and now perform in several professional orchestras. I hope to interest talented music students in the string bass and offer private and group lessons in several areas, including classical and popular music. I am interested in students as individuals and their love of music. I offer private lessons and small group ensembles. Lyn Giovanniello

Berkeley native Rachel Durling received her B.Mus. from Mannes College of Music in New York. She has performed with the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, Nel Dolce Tempo, Teatro Bacchino, California Symphony, San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, Jazz Composer's Orchestra, the nuevo-tango group New York-Buenos Aires Connection, Peter Apfelbaum's Hieroglyphics Ensemble, the cuban danzon group Orquesta La Moderna Tradicion, and Virginia Iglesias Flamenco Dance Academy.