Private Lessons & Coaches in Granada Hills, CA

Here’s a clean, strong bio you can use for “Teach Me,” written in your voice and style: ⸻ Pickleball Coach Bio I’ve been playing pickleball for the past two years and quickly fell in love with the game, both competitively and as a way to bring people together. My background goes much deeper than pickleball though. I’ve spent over 10 years mentoring and teaching across sports, helping athletes build confidence, improve fundamentals, and actually enjoy the process of getting better. My focus is on beginner to intermediate players. Whether you’re just picking up a paddle or looking to level up your consistency and strategy, I create a relaxed, supportive environment where you can improve without feeling overwhelmed. I believe pickleball should be fun, social, and rewarding, while still giving you the tools to compete and win. ⸻ What I Focus On To Get You to the Next Level * Solid Fundamentals First Grip, footwork, positioning, and shot mechanics that actually hold up in real games. * Consistency Over Flash Cutting down unforced errors so you can win more points without needing risky shots. * Smart Court Positioning Learning where to be and when, especially at the kitchen line. * Dinking with Purpose Not just keeping the ball in play, but setting up your advantage. * Transition Game How to move from defense to offense without getting burned. * Partner Communication Simple strategies to play better as a team and avoid confusion on the court. * Game Awareness & Strategy Reading opponents, recognizing patterns, and making smarter decisions point by point. * Confidence Building Helping you trust your game so you play relaxed, not tight.

"I started playing pickleball barely knowing the rules, positioning, or strategy. Working with Michael completely changed my game. His coaching style made everything easy to understand and fun, while still pushing me to improve every session. In a short amount of time, I went from a beginner to now competing at almost a 3.5 level in rec play and local tournaments. My confidence, consistency, shot selection, and court awareness have improved dramatically. What really stands out is how much Michael genuinely cares about helping people get better. He brings great energy, patience, and real experience to every lesson. Honestly, without Michael, I don’t know where my game would be today. I’m incredibly grateful for all the time and knowledge he’s shared with me. -Blair

As a former professional Tennis coach in Australia, I've become widely recognized as one of the best tennis coaches around the country. I've also played at the highest level and am a Pan Pacific and Australian Masters champion in both singles and doubles and a recent winner of the Oregon senior games. Now residing in L.A. I bring a wealth of expertise tailored for everyone - from absolute beginners to seasoned pros. I'm a Certified PTR Professional Coach and very passionate about this amazing game. I'm here to refine your skills and boost your enjoyment and love for the game. I am President of the newly formed World Tennis Association LLC and the founder of Modified Tennis to keep less mobile players in the game longer. I also have a YouTube channel called Professional Tennis TV John Gill.

"AMAZING COACH!!! So sweet and patient!! Was early and ready to go and very accommodating! My first lesson, but I felt like I learned so much!!

With a musical journey spanning three decades, I've traversed the globe recording and touring with platinum-selling artists. Alongside this remarkable career, I've devoted 33 years to teaching the art of music (both Guitar and Bass). From private lessons to guiding aspiring musicians at esteemed institutions like MI and LA College of Music, and leading master classes across the world, I have honed a versatile teaching approach. My expertise covers a broad spectrum of styles and caters to all ages and skill levels. Together, let's make music an unforgettable part of your life's soundtrack.

"Bjorn tailors your lessons to your needs: whether it's learning a new song, going through scales, music theory, etc. Whatever it is, ultimately he ties each lesson on how to make you a better musician overall. Personally, words aren't enough to describe Bjorn's love for teaching and his commitment as a teacher, but for someone who had never played bass before going to Bjorn and for someone looking to reignite my interest in music that I had as a kid, I got so much more out of my lessons with Bjorn than I expected. I've learned so much about music theory from Bjorn that I'm able to analyze songs from a theory standpoint, why songs work the way they do, and actually understand naming as well as how to build chords. Prior to this, I've done some guitar as a kid, but only ever looked up tabs which never really helped me grow as a musician. I've never really understood why chords were named the way they were and etc., I'd just memorize the fingerings. It was personally, for me, cause of Bjorn that I understand theory now and don't really look at songs the way I do anymore (in terms of just learning tabs). Bjorn has also helped me train my ear as a musician because I had only done tabs before (which never really helped me with my ear). Even more unexpectedly, we had even worked on reading exercises as well. Applying all this with songs that I wanted to go through with my lessons with Bjorn has helped me become much better as a musician from when I first started lessons. Additionally, working on improv exercises theory wise in a variety of genres has really opened up my eyes in terms of music. It's from these improv exercises that Bjorn has personally given me the confidence to venture out into song writing with coming up with my own riffs. More specifically about the bass side of the lessons, the exercises that Bjorn himself has used since he started playing bass (from slapping to drilling in the fundamentals of fingerings) has gotten me so much more comfortable with playing bass with where I am now compared to the first lesson I had. With Bjorn's knowledge and experience, he provides a welcoming environment to any student of any level. I honestly can't stress enough how far I've come since my first lesson, but I also just can't stress enough Bjorn's commitment to not just making you a better bass player, but a better musician overall. Matt of Los Angeles, CA - 25 year old intermediate)

Yelyzaveta brings a wealth of experience from her 15-year tennis career, during which she achieved a top 500 ranking in the ITF under-18 category. As the No. 1 seed for the University of Virginia's tennis team, she competed at the highest collegiate level, honing her skills and strategic understanding of the game. With her extensive background, Yelyzaveta is passionate about helping players of all levels improve their technique, strategy, and overall performance on the court. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced player, her experience and dedication make her an exceptional coach.

"After 5 practices, I feel much more precise with my technique. The focus on each movement helped me improve consistency, footwork, and control. The lessons are detailed and really helped refine my game.

Sourced from various international styles, Rayana guides students on a journey inward, where yoga becomes a pathway to healing and self-remembrance. Through embodied movement and mindful alignment, she supports the release of stagnant emotions, awakens your inner life force, and empowers you to connect with your highest true self. Her compassionate guidance welcomes you to move with presence and intention, returning to yourselves with clarity, strength, and ease as a lasting transformation.

"I found Rayana’s class during a really hard season of physical recovery. She has this way of making the practice feel easeful without ever being forceful about it. Deeply grateful that my body’s recovering from her customized sequences.

For 5 years, I've fostered a love for soccer in students of all levels. My passion lies in developing well-rounded players with a strong foundation in technique and strategy. I'm committed to providing engaging and professional instruction.

"When Josue Fernandez first started training, he understood the game and had good awareness, but technically he was still developing. He wasn’t fully confident on the ball and would hesitate in tight situations. Through consistent private sessions, his comfort level and ball control improved dramatically. His first touch became cleaner, his decision-making got quicker, and he started playing with real confidence. You could see the difference not just in his skills, but in how he carried himself on the field. Now, Josue is playing at a competitive club level and looks completely comfortable under pressure. The growth has been huge — technically, mentally, and tactically.