Jackson - Piano tutor - Berkeley
1st lesson free
Jackson - Piano tutor - Berkeley

Jackson's email address and phone number have been validated.

Jackson

  • Rate 579 GHS
  • Response 1h
  • Students

    Number of students Jackson has accompanied since arriving at Superprof

    10

    Number of students Jackson has accompanied since arriving at Superprof

Jackson - Piano tutor - Berkeley
  • 5 (2 reviews)

579 GHS/hr

1st lesson free

Contact

1st lesson free

1st lesson free

  • Piano

Experienced tutor in Piano in Berkeley, Jackson offers private lessons tailored to your needs.

  • Piano

Lesson location

Recommended

Jackson is a respected member of our tutor community. He is highly recommended for his commitment and the quality of his lessons. An excellent choice to progress with confidence.

About Jackson

I have been playing music and composing my whole life. When I was 6, I began studying piano, developing a love of jazz, pop and R&B as I grew older. At Berkeley High School, I played in the world renowned jazz ensemble under Sarah Cline, traveling to Cuba in 2016. I also studied with Susan Muscarella, the founder of the California Jazz Conservatory, for several years. After high school, I enrolled in Pomona College, where I am going into my senior year studying French. During my time in college, I have balanced my academic pursuits with my musical ones, with the goal of working full time as a musician after graduation.

In addition to my study of piano, songwriting, composition, and music production have been important parts of my life. During my final year of high school, I founded Molly with Charles, a songwriting collaboration with a friend that has now grown into seven piece live soul band. I also work to produce music for many artists, especially in the R&B and soul genres.

Throughout my life, music has been an essential anchor for me. It has been the catalyst for much individual growth, whether through the process of articulating emotions in a song or the lessons of sacrifice and commitment imparted through dedicating oneself to a craft. It has introduced me to so many people outside of my milieu. And it has offered me a way of understanding our world. The cultural heritage of American music, founded and developed by African-Americans, is profound, and conveys as much truth about our history as any textbook.

I have extensive experience working with kids as an au pair, coach, and substitute teacher. I bring empathy, a sense of humor, and patience to each encounter. I know that each students needs are different, and I'm committed to tailoring my teaching to meet students where they are while pushing them forward. Above all, I hope to transmit the joy and richness of this art form for students to carry with them throughout their life.

I love the communion that music can offer. The shared pursuit of writing a song, trying to get a band to listen to each other, mixing a beat -- all of these consitute profound forms of communication. I love listening to the greats (Herbie, Stevie, D'Angelo, Aretha, Ahmad Jamal, Prince) and deciphering the poetry of their expression. And then going out and copying them! Even attempting a tenth of what they did represents an enormous pinnacle. This is a humbling recognition, but one that also conveys the limitlessness of the form.

I love when I look out into the crowd at a show and see someone swaying to the music with closed eyes. I love when somebody covers a song I've wrote, or inspired to create any kind of art. I love hearing that something that surprises, and trying to reverse engineer that magic.

When something clicks -- whether in myself or a student -- it's extremely rewarding. It means that your own tiny voice in this vast musical conversation across centuries now has one more means of expressing itself.

I started teaching during a gap year after high school, when I returned to my elementary and middle school alma mater Prospect Sierra to work as a substitute teacher. During this process, I fell in love with working with kids, especially during music class. I also took on part time work as an assistant track coach at Piedmont Middle School. These experiences in my gap year solidified my commitment to making teaching part of my career. 

Throughout college, I have done volunteer work teaching music to local kids. I am currently looking to take on more students  and gain experience before graduating next year. 



15 years of private study with William Beatty and Susan Muscarella, with a focus on jazz 

Berklee College of Music 5 Week Summer Program Full Scholarship Récipient 

Berkeley High Jazz Ensemble 2013-2016

Molly with Charles, co-founder and musical director, 2016-présent

Jordan Hawkins, pianist/producer 2018-present 

See more

About the lesson

  • Beginner
  • Intermediate
  • Advanced
  • +10
  • levels :

    Beginner

    Intermediate

    Advanced

    Professionel

    Child

    Beginner Level

    Elementary Level

    Intermediate Level

    Advanced Level

    CEM

    DEM

    DE

    CA

  • English

All languages in which the lesson is available :

English

I first like to get to know them and break the ice a little bit, because I know lessons can be intimidating at first. I tell them about myself and my musical journey. Then I ask what kind of music they like to listen to and what they might be interested in learning to play. 

I then begin my assessing their experience level. If they are able to play a piece, I ask to hear. After gauging where they are with the instrument, I like to assign a piece of music they are excited about and work from there. Especially at the beginning, it's essential to avoid rote exercise and instill a joy for learning, because the latter is the most effective fuel for getting better. 



I have worked primarily with students from K-4. I have also done some work with autistic students. 



I would advise them to think about how they are best motivated, and what kind of teacher pushes them most effectively. 



I recently got to take part in the annual Foontastic Fundraiser, held annually to honor Neel Foon, a young musician who passed away in 2016. This was my third year playing in the program, which has come to constitute a really important gathering of Bay Area music community. Although the event was held virtually, each performer was able to convey spirit and joy through their work. There were middle schoolers playing insanely advanced bluegrass, professional jazz musicians, singer-songwriters, and an adorable chorus of kids from Montessori. I played three different songs with various configurations of friends: Butterfly, by Herbie Hancock, Ain't No Sunshine, by Bill Withers, and a Molly with Charles original. I was so proud to be a part of such a resilient show of community, especially during this time. 



A few things worth thinking about before reaching out
Students should think about what component of music excites them the most. Music is such a multifaceted form: there is recording, performance, composition, production,!and so on. Identify your area(s) of passion and go from there!

See more

Rates

Rate

  • 579 GHS

Pack prices

  • 5h: 2895 GHS
  • 10h: 5790 GHS

free lessons

The first free lesson with Jackson will allow you to get to know each other and clearly specify your needs for your next lessons.

  • 1hr

online

  • GHS579/h

Details

30 minutes - $15

1 hour - $30

Similar Piano teachers in Berkeley

  • Kenneth

    Koforidua & Online

    New
    • 50 GHS/hr
    • 1st lesson free
  • Tomás

    Brooklyn, United States & Online

    5 (124 reviews)
    • 811 GHS/hr
    • 1st lesson free
  • Sergio

    New York, United States & Online

    5 (76 reviews)
    • 348 GHS/hr
    • 1st lesson free
  • Giulia

    Chicago, United States & Online

    5 (76 reviews)
    • 695 GHS/hr
    • 1st lesson free
  • Abreu

    London, United Kingdom & Online

    5 (73 reviews)
    • 658 GHS/hr
    • 1st lesson free
  • Antônio

    London, United Kingdom & Online

    5 (38 reviews)
    • 536 GHS/hr
    • 1st lesson free
  • Miranda

    Torreón, Mexico & Online

    5 (23 reviews)
    • 229 GHS/hr
    • 1st lesson free
  • Eduardo

    Punta Gorda, United States & Online

    5 (64 reviews)
    • 927 GHS/hr
    • 1st lesson free
  • Alain

    Paris 13e, France & Online

    4.9 (204 reviews)
    • 593 GHS/hr
  • Jennifer

    Paris 12e, France & Online

    5 (78 reviews)
    • 593 GHS/hr
  • Lucía

    Brooklyn, United States & Online

    5 (14 reviews)
    • 695 GHS/hr
    • 1st lesson free
  • Hanxin

    Paris 9e, France & Online

    5 (83 reviews)
    • 922 GHS/hr
    • 1st lesson free
  • Dan

    London, United Kingdom & Online

    5 (34 reviews)
    • 842 GHS/hr
  • Danielle

    San Francisco, United States & Online

    5 (57 reviews)
    • 695 GHS/hr
    • 1st lesson free
  • Valerio

    London, United Kingdom & Online

    5 (42 reviews)
    • 919 GHS/hr
    • 1st lesson free
  • Benedict

    Orpington, United Kingdom & Online

    5 (16 reviews)
    • 612 GHS/hr
    • 1st lesson free
  • Ezequiel

    Cammeray, Australia & Online

    5 (29 reviews)
    • 609 GHS/hr
    • 1st lesson free
  • Elizaveta

    Paris 16e, France & Online

    5 (87 reviews)
    • 1,054 GHS/hr
  • Dr Ethan Lustig

    Los Angeles, United States & Online

    5 (53 reviews)
    • 1,159 GHS/hr
  • Louis

    Paris 16e, France & Online

    5 (50 reviews)
    • 1,054 GHS/hr
  • See Piano tutors