Private Piano Lessons & Teachers in Oakland, CA

I'm thrilled to share my vast musical experience with you. With over thirty years in the field, I've taught music and lived and breathed its enchanting world. Armed with a degree in Mass Communications and a minor in Music, I've embarked on a journey that has taken me from classrooms to recording studios. As a recording artist, I've had the privilege of performing extensively both in the United States and abroad. There's something magical about the stage, and I love bringing audiences joy through melodies. If I were to pick a favorite, it would undoubtedly be Christmas music. There's just something about those festive tunes that warms the heart and brings people together. Now, I'm here to guide you on your own musical adventure. Whether you're a beginner eager to learn the ropes or someone looking to fine-tune their skills, let's dive into the wonderful world of music together. Get ready for a harmonious journey filled with joy, learning, and the timeless magic of music!

"Oh, I’d say Deanne’s lessons are pretty helpful. I especially appreciated learning about different chords, mainly with the left hand, which felt quite practical. Still, I’m hopeful about progressing with chord movement and melody application, I guess that’s next. Anyway, I can see myself trying another lesson soon.

Hey my name's Derek Schmidt and I'm a musician, sound designer, and music educator living in SF. I have a Masters in Music Composition and decades of performing experience.I've played piano for over three decades, for performance, production, and composition. I come at piano from an composer/songwriter perspective, so I can ground the lessons in music theory to help it all make sense, no matter what instrument you decide to play. I best teach beginning and intermediate students who want to explore different musical styles.

"“I’ve been wanting to continue my learning of ukulele and guitar. Derek is such a knowledgeable and patient teacher. I love how he breaks down the understanding of music theory and composition. I’ve had other guitar teachers that have taught me how to copy music tabs but Derek is really great in explaining the why of music!” – T.

Since the age of 5, I have explored my fascination with music. Starting with Suzuki piano, I gave a recital in high school and went to Oberlin Conservatory. Continuing on to Peabody and Eastman, I completed my music education and moved on to IT while exploring additional passions in music on the side. I'm now back to music full time, with an emphasis on teaching conservatory-level classical piano and beginning/intermediate violin and latin percussion. I teach at your home or at mine in Danville.

"We highly recommend Jonathan as a music teacher! Our 9-year-old son Dylan is energetic and easily distracted, but Jonathan has endless patience and keeps him fully engaged throughout every lesson. He’s an amazing musician himself, makes learning fun, and chooses perfect pieces for Dylan’s level. Jonathan is excellent with lively, active 9-year-olds!