winter/spring 2015 course catalog

Winter/Spring 2015Winter/Spring 2015Winter/Spring 2015

Course CatalogCourse CatalogCourse Catalog

Group Lessons

Private Lessons

Piano 3

Guitar and Ukulele 4

Theory 6

Early Childhood 7

Suzuki Violin and Cello 7

Band and Orchestra 10

Class Instructors 13

Private Instructors 16

Table of Contents

Little Mozart I and II ages 4-5

With a class limit of 5, these classes

are designed to introduce children to

the fundamentals of piano playing in

a nurturing environment. Students

will be encouraged to learn basic elements such as finger-

ings, keys, beat/rhythm, and notation through singing and

playing. Practice is required and parents/caregivers must

be in attendance.

Tuition: $250 (materials included)

Little Mozart I

Instructor: Angely Chen

10 weeks: January 26– April 6

Mondays 3:30-4:10

Little Mozart II

Instructor: Angely Chen

10 weeks: April 13- June 22

Mondays 3:30-4:10

Piano

Guitar and Ukulele

Ode to Joy

ages Teen to Adult

Learn basic piano playing through an

easy and relaxing class. Students will

be encouraged to learn notation and

appropriate theory to help develop

musicality and enjoyment.


Ode to Joy

Instructor: Theresa Smith

10 weeks: January 25-March 29

Sunday 3:00-3:45

Beginning Guitar

ages 8 and up

Intro to basic skills of playing guitar—

chords, strumming, finger-picking, sight

reading, and songs. Students must pro-

vide own instrument. Rentals are avail-

able at West Valley Music.


Beginning Ukulele ages Teen to Adult

Intro to basic skills of playing ukulele—

chords, strumming, finger-picking, sight

reading, and songs. Students must pro-

vide own instrument. Ukuleles are

available for purchase at West Valley Music.


Beginning Guitar

Instructor: Tom Bockhold

6 weeks: January 17-

February 28

Saturday 2:00-2:45

Beginning Ukulele


4 weeks: January 25-

February 22

Sunday 2:00-2:45

Beginning Ukulele


4 weeks: March 1- March 22

Sunday 2:00-2:45

Beginning Guitar


6 weeks: March 7- April 18

Saturday 2:00-2:45

Beginning Ukulele


4 weeks: April 12- May 3

Sunday 2:00-2:45

Beginning Guitar


6 weeks: April 25 - May 30

Saturday 2:00-2:45

Theory

Aural Training (grade 7-8)

Instructor: Joseph Stillwell

12 weeks: December 6-March 21

(no class December 20, 27, January 17, or February 14)

Saturday 4:00-5:30

Aural Training and Sight Singing ages 11 and up

Listening lies at the heart of all good music-making. Devel-

oping aural awareness is fundamental to musical training

because having a ‘musical ear’ impacts all aspects of musi-

cianship. For students preparing for the ABRSM Practical

exams or those who would like extra practice with ear train-

ing, sight singing, and music history.


Suzuki Violin and Cello

PAGE 7

Suzuki Violin

ages 4-7

This Suzuki group violin course will

engage your child in the fundamen-

tals of violin playing while covering

musical concepts such as rhythm, ensemble playing, dynam-

ics, tempo, and pitch with an emphasis on listening, repeti-

tion, and imitation. Daily practice required. Students must

provide own instrument. Rentals are available at West

Valley Music.


Early Childhood

Music and Movement

Instructor: Astara Marcia

18 weeks: TBD

Music and Movement

ages 2-6

Explore music making through singing, dancing, and play-

ing. Children will learn basics of rhythm and melody

through games and songs, and will get the chance to try

small wind and percussion instruments


Level 1: This Pre-Twinkle introduc-

tory class focuses on building proper

violin playing posture and basic

techniques such as how to hold the bow, how to hold the

violin, pizzicato, and playing short songs.

PAGE 8

Level 2: Students learn how to play all the Twinkle Varia-

tions and Twinkle Theme, begin doing bow circles and lifts,

play string changes, and continue to refine their posture.

Level 3: In this class we expand our violin repertoire with

songs from Suzuki Book 1. Students begin reading basic mu-

sic notation, become acquainted with the history of Western

music, and continue developing ear training skills.

Suzuki Violin I


10 weeks: Jan. 10-March 14

Saturday 4:30-5:30

Suzuki Violin II


10 weeks: March 21-June 6

Saturday 5:30-6:30

Suzuki Violin II



Saturday 5:30-6:30

Suzuki Violin III

Instructor: Tracy Wu

10 weeks: March 19-May 28

Thursday 5:00-6:00

Suzuki Violin III

Instructor: Tracy Wu


Thursday 5:00-6:00

Suzuki Violin I


10 weeks: March 21-June 6

Saturday 4:30-5:30

Suzuki Cello ages 4-7

This Suzuki group cello course will

engage your child in the fundamentals

of cello playing while covering musical

concepts such as rhythm, ensemble

playing, dynamics, tempo, and pitch with an emphasis on

listening, repetition, and imitation. Daily practice required.

Students must provide own instrument. Rentals are

available at West Valley Music.


Suzuki Cello II

Instructor: Adrianna Khoo

10 weeks: Jan. 7- March 11

Wednesday 6:00-7:00

Suzuki Cello I


10 weeks: Jan. 7- March 11

Wednesday 5:00-6:00

Level 1: This Pre-Twinkle introductory class focuses on

building proper cello playing posture and basic techniques

such as how to hold the bow, how to hold the cello, pizzi-

cato, and playing short songs.

Level 2: Students learn how to play all the Twinkle Varia-

tions and Twinkle Theme, begin doing bow circles and lifts,

play string changes, and continue to refine their posture.

Suzuki Cello II



Wednesday 6:00-7:00

Suzuki Cello I



Wednesday 5:00-6:00

Movie Themes Workshops

ages 8-12

A fun 4 week program for 4th-6th grade stu-

dents to supplement their school band pro-

gram. As a group students will learn to play

music from classic movies in a level appropri-

ate workshop, while receiving individual at-

tention as needed. Students must provide own instru-

ment. Rentals are available at West Valley Music.


PAGE 10

Band and Orchestra

Instrument Safari ages 8-12

The Instrument Safari gives students a chance to try their

hand at each of the instruments typically offered in elemen-

tary and middle school music programs. By the end of the

session, each student should have a better idea about which

instrument “fits” them the best.


Instrument Safari

Instructor: Ronnie Cato

1 session: April 18

Saturday 3:00-4:30

Instrument Safari

Instructor: Ronnie Cato

1 session: April 25

Saturday 3:00-4:30

Intermediate Brass Choir

ages 10-14 (1-3+ years experience)

Students with one or more years of experi-

ence playing a brass instrument will

strengthen their skills in this fun class devoted to all things

brassy! Music will include selections from standard brass

choir literature as well as popular songs arranged for young

brass ensemble. Students must provide own instrument.

Rentals are available at West Valley Music.


Brass Choir: Winter

Instructor: Tracey Hurley

10 weeks: January 13- March 17

Tuesday 7:00-8:00

PAGE 11

Movie Themes I


4 weeks: February 21- March 14

Saturday 3:30-4:15

Movie Themes II


4 weeks: March 21- April 11

Saturday 3:30-4:15

Movie Themes III


4 weeks: TBD

Saturday 3:30-4:15

Brass Choir: Spring


10 weeks: March 24- May 26

Tuesday 7:00-8:00

Los Altos Community Jazz Band grades 6-8

The Los Altos Community Jazz Band is a pub-

lic jazz band class open to students from 6th

to 8th grade. Students from Los Altos School

District as well as surrounding school dis-

tricts, private schools, and home schoolers are

welcome to participate. All classes are held at

Blach Intermediate School at 1120 Covington

Road in Los Altos. Students must provide own instru-

ment. Rentals are available at West Valley Music.


Los Altos Community Jazz: Spring Semester

Instructor: Vincent Lewis

18 weeks: January 28-June 3

Wednesday 5:15-6:15

PAGE 12

Tom Bockhold has been a working professional

bassist in the bay area and beyond for the last

thirty years. He studied music at San Jose State

University as well as the Cincinnati Conservatory

of Music. Tom has 25 years of teaching experience

and presently teaches bass, piano and guitar at

West Valley Music in Mountain View. He is also the current bass

instructor for the Kuumbwa Jazz Center Jazz camp in Santa Cruz.

Tom has played and/or recorded with many of the top musicians

in the bay area such as Wally Schnalle, John Worley, Smith Dob-

son, Murray Lowe, and Weber Iago.

Ronnie Cato studied at California State Univer-

sity East Bay and holds a Bachelors of Music Com-

position and a minor in Clarinet Performance. He

is a composer, singer, musician, and teacher.

Ronnie has been featured in various music ensem-

bles including Living Space, and has performed in

Carnegie Hall and Davies Symphony Hall. As an instructor,

Ronnie has taught instrumental and vocal music for nine years. He

is currently the orchestra director at Mt. Eden High School.

Angely Chen holds a Masters in Music with a

Kodaly emphasis from Holy Names University,

Oakland CA. She is a Kindermusik Licensed Edu-

cator and has taken Suzuki Piano and Montessori

Education courses. As a music educator for over a

decade, Angely has taught choir and hundreds of classes (K-5)

with Kodaly methodology in the Mountain View-Whisman, Cam-

brian, and Los Altos school districts.

PAGE 13

Class Instructors

Tracey Hurley received her Bachelors of Music

from Ohio University with an emphasis in Instru-

mental Music Education. Tracey’s wide range of

experience includes wind ensemble, marching

band, jazz band, and trumpet ensemble. Tracey

enjoys music education and has more than five

years of experience teaching children of all ages. Her most recent

accomplishments include teaching high school trumpet lessons

and conducting the Frisco Community Band Brass Choir.

PAGE 14

Adrianna Khoo has performed with the City

Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong, Lantau Trio

and Low Strung cello groups since 2010. With a

passion for teaching, she pioneered the Suzuki

Method Cello Program at KinderU Suzuki Music

Academy – the first Suzuki School in China recog-

nized by the International Suzuki Association. Adrianna’s teach-

ing philosophy is that every child can learn with the right disci-

pline, environment and parental partnering.

Astara Marcia has 35 years of professional experi-

ence and began her global journey as a young folk

and classical musician beginning her dance, voice

and music lessons at home by age 3. Family friend

and folklorist Pete Seeger inspired her at an early

age to meet other teachers and musicians like herself so that her

lifelong travels and opportunities enabled her to play and work

under many well known directors. In 1985 Dr. Marcia studied the

Suzuki Method with Dr. Shinichi Suzuki and completed living 25

years in India before returning to California to teach at Stanford as

their consultant to campus international graduate school families.

She has been a school volunteer teaching music in elementary

schools and preschools and has been music director in both pri-

vate and public schools in the Bay Area.

Tracy Wu holds a B.M. in violin performance from

the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University

with a minor in anthropology as well as a M.M. in

violin performance from the Shepherd School of

Music at Rice University. She has served as princi-

pal violist of the Aspen Academy of Conducting Orchestra, princi-

pal 2nd violinist of the Shepherd School Chamber Orchestra, and

as concertmaster of the National Repertory Orchestra. Ms. Wu

has been a faculty member at the American Festival for the Arts,

Albany Music School, New Mozart School of Music, Klein Forest

High School, and has worked with children with special needs at

the Monarch Institute for Neurological Differences as a Da Cam-

era of Houston Young Artist. She is certified to teach Suzuki level

1, 2, and 3, and strongly believes in using music as a vehicle to de-

velop articulate, well-rounded individuals.

PAGE 15

Theresa Smith has 30 years of experience as a pri-

vate music instructor (piano, voice, guitar, music

theory, composition), is past faculty of CSMA in

Mountain View, Sherman Clay Piano Store in

Oakland, The Music School in Sunnyvale, Baldwin

Piano Store in Santa Clara, and presently teaches

at West Valley Music in Mountain View.

Joseph Stillwell currently resides in San Fran-cisco where he maintains a busy schedule teach-ing, performing, and composing. Joseph has long been fascinated by the process of how we learn to hear and perceive music. He has studied with some of the country's best musicianship instruc-

tors including Marianne Ploger, David Conte, and Philip Lasser. His teaching approach blends concepts and principles for the French tradition alongside the ideas and techniques of Kodaly. Joseph has studied at the European American Musical Alliance in Paris, the Summer Kodaly Institute of Holy Names University, and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

Private Instructors All teachers manage their own schedules and payments.

Please contact them directly to interview or schedule a les-

son. Make sure to tell them what you are looking for to al-

low them to assess compatibility as well. Most will allow a

trial lesson to help you look for a long term fit.

Flute

Laurie Benson 650-366-1748

[email protected]

Jill Heinke Moen 415-786-2899

[email protected]

Kassey Plaha and Areon Chamber Music Institute

650-619-7344

[email protected]

Amelia Vitarelli 408-234-1001

[email protected]

Clarinet and Saxophone

Ronnie Cato 925-284-3383

[email protected]

Maria D’Aura 650-906-6683

[email protected]

Ken Moran 650-861-6658

[email protected]

Mark Sowlakis 415-564-4936

[email protected]

Oboe

Brenda Schuman-Post 415-608-2027

[email protected]

Trumpet

Jim Howseman 408-398-5447

[email protected]

John Worley 650-968-0917

[email protected]

Trombone, Baritone and Tuba

Craig Whitwell 408-480-8787

[email protected]

Violin and Viola

Ernest Kinsolving (fiddle, tin whistle, bodhran)

650-743-1280

[email protected]

Ann Lam 920-266-9526

[email protected]

Shelby Yamin 845-641-1557

[email protected]

Cello

Thomas Shoebotham 650-380-6805

[email protected]

Bass

Tom Bockhold 831-429-2015

[email protected]

Piano


[email protected]

Martan Mann 831-338-4986/408-234-2364

Theresa Smith 408-745-4368

[email protected]

May Wu 408-204-2822

[email protected]

Guitar


[email protected]

Scott Sorkin 408-445-2032

[email protected]

Jim Witzel 650-625-1676

[email protected]

Voice

Wendy Waller 650-216-9138

[email protected]

262 Castro Street

Downtown Mountain View

Between Dana and Villa

www.westvalleymusic.com

650-961-1566

West Valley Music is a full service music store

Sales - Rentals - Repairs - Sheet Music

Accessories - Private and Group Lessons

winter/spring 2015 course catalog

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