Los Angeles Piano Lessons

Nick was trained classically for the first 13 years of his life, at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music.   Upon this foundation, Nick developed a wide range of skills –  He’s equally adept playing Rock, Pop, Jazz, Classical, R&B, Hip-Hop, and Soul.  Nick  graduated from Boston’s Berklee College of Music with a dual major in Contemporary Writing/Production and Film Scoring.

Nick has performed everywhere from Gillette Stadium and the House of Blues, to the Shanghai Jazz Club, and has shared the stage with  legendary soul singers, Ben E. King, and Michael McDonald.  Nick has written arrangements for Gian Faraone (Telemundo), and Joelle James (singer on the hit Chris Brown record, “Leave The Club.”)  Nick has written original scores for Ovation TV and is currently working  on the new ABC drama, Revenge.  He has also worked on the music preparation team for the upcoming Seal/David Foster project, Soul II.

As a teacher, Nick has combines his broad knowledge, with a great sense of humor, and enthusiasm.  He enjoys working with both kids and adults., but please, no reptiles*

*Nick has a terrible fear of snakes, precluding him from enjoying cinematic masterpieces like Anaconda or Snakes On A Plane

What are people saying about Nick:

“A performer with finesse beyond his years.”

–Michael McDonald, 5-time Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter

“A very talented piano player.”

–Alex Lacamoire, Music Director for “Wicked,” and “In The Heights.”

Anthony grew up in the small mountain town of Evergreen, CO where he starting blowing audiences away his musical abilities at the young age of 7. His talents took him to national piano competitions year after year and also to arts magnet school, Denver School of the Arts where he began composing and writing songs. Anthony was awarded a full scholarship to the Berklee summer program in 2005 and won their annual songwriting competition that year. He later graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from CalArts where he focused on contemporary voice and keyboard, songwriting, and composition.

Currently Anthony writes both commercial and classical music, performs regularly in pop, rock, and R&B bands and is a founding member of the hip east-side choral group, ‘The Silver Lake Chorus’. Anthony has musical directing credits on the stage also and collaborators both on the stage and in the studio include ‘The Swingle Singers’, ‘Ben Lee’, ‘James’, Ellis Hall of ‘Tower of Power’, and pop sensation ‘Akon’.

*Some fun Anthony trivia:  He will always order a burger and fries over anything else, no matter how fancy the alternative

What are people saying about lessons with Anthony:

“It is my pleasure to recommend Anthony.  He has taught my two sons, ages 8 and 6, on a weekly basis.  His style is fun and easy.  He is engaging, challenging and knowledgeable. The boys have truly looked forward to their lessons which, given their ages, says a great deal.  Anthony plays the piano for the boys who get to hear many different styles, sing with him, and explore their own improvisational pieces. He utilizes both traditional/classic approaches as well as a more playful approach,  allowing them to choose songs they want to learn.”

- B. Leslie

A native of Chicago, Melissa received her Master of Music from DePaul University and her Bachelor of Music from Northwestern University.  Melissa loves teaching students of all ages and many of her students have gone on to win college music scholarships.  She has performed with the Los Angeles and Chicago operas, and when not making music, she can be found playing beach volleyball!

What are people saying about lessons with Melissa:

“Melissa has the gifts and ability to motivate and inspire my daughter Olivia like no otherteacher. I think it is because Melissa truly believes in her heart that Olivia can one day be a “star”. And because Melissa believes it—Olivia believes it. Melissa is so caring, so enthusiastic, and so expert at guiding the development, that I literally cannot say enough, or express fully our appreciation of her.”

–S.  Timm-Thompson

“Time flies when I’m having a lesson because Melissa makes it fun and enjoyable. If you truly want to grow and reach your full potential, I definitely recommend taking lessons with Melissa  She’s really nice too!

–K. Landin, Junior at Fenton High School

Ulf studied classical piano in Germany before studying jazz piano at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. He completed his BM in Contemporary Writing and Production in 2006 and is the recipient of ASCAP’s Henry Mancini Scholarship, and Berklee’s Contemporary Writing and Production Award.

Ulf has a real passion for teaching piano, and enjoys working with students of all ages and experience levels – from giving a first piano lesson to teaching advanced software recording techniques.

Ulf is an accomplished concert pianist who performs frequently in Europe and the United States, and is the accompanist to UCLA’s choir. Upcoming performances include Handel’s Messiah at Royce Hall.

In addition, Ulf has written music for film and television. Most recently, “Oceans Away,” a 14-part documentary for CCTV

What are Red Pelican Music customers saying about lessons with Ulf:

“I shopped around a lot while deciding where to begin taking private piano lessons.  I’ve been a musician for 16 years but I never really progressed beyond an intermediate skill level so I knew it was time for some guided training.  I didn’t want to just learn from the cheapest instructor who could tell me how to read notes, I wanted professional training from a musical expert.

I’ve been taking piano/theory lessons with Ulf for almost 6 months now and the experience has been awesome!  I’ve learned so much in such a short time.  In addition to piano training, Ulf is giving me a real music education.  He’s teaching me the rules, practices, and the workings of music and composition.  He has allowed me to tailor our lessons to my specific goals so that I really get what I want from them.  This way, it never becomes a chore.  Ulf is rapidly demystifying music for me and that is very exciting!  He’s also opened my eyes to the world of computer recording/production of music in ways I never knew were possible and I am now producing music that could almost pass for professional quality.  I have a ways to go yet.

Ulf is a true master of his trade and I never cease to be inspired by his skill and knowledge.  I look forward to improving more and more as my training continues.”

Cassie has a sunny, enthusiastic personality – she loves teaching piano students of all ages – particularly those who like to sing and play, since she is also one of our voice instructors.  Cassie’s stylistic specialities are R&B, Pop, Rock and Gospel.  She also enjoys working with beginning classical students.

Cassie grew up in Massachusetts, and began performing at the age of eight.  She studied Jazz at the New England Conservatory, and graduated from Boston’s Berklee College of Music.  Cassie  brings a lot of real-world experience to the table, as a bandleader, songwriter, touring musician, and studio musician.    Her favorite artists include, Mariah Carey, Sara Bareilles, Beyonce, Stevie Wonder, and the queen of soul, Aretha Franklin.

*If you’d like to get on Cassie’s good side, word on the street is that she especially appreciates pistachio flavored confectioneries from Yogurtland. . . 

What Red Pelican Music students are saying about piano lessons with Cassie: