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Students
who
have worked privately with Michael
(click names for complete quote
in a PDF file)
Kim Mi Hoang
(pianist/composer)
"I feel very fortunate to have Michael as my jazz piano teacher.
I grew up only playing classical music through college,
but was not able to deviate from the written music
for the life of me. I felt stuck.
But now at the 10-month mark with Michael,
I've written a solo piano work and a new arrangement,
and can improvise for hours at the piano
(and even swing a bit, too).
Michael has the language for both classical and jazz,
and his depth of understanding is humbling.
It's like taking a college level course yet tailored
to your own needs. He can quickly and effectively diagnose
the musical issue, whatever that may be. He is methodical
yet creative in his teaching, he plays beautifully,
and has exceptional sensitivity to the music —
thus allowing me to learn how to be more attuned to the music. So, if you are serious about your dedication to music,
he can teach you a lot (and more)!
Naomi Yu
(vocalist/pianist)
"I took both piano and voice lessons with Michael
for about a year-and-a-half. Michael is extremely talented
and knowledgeable about so many facets of music.
His teaching methods are unconventional,
but really help develop many different areas of
skills towards making & understanding music.
I also greatly enjoyed the workshops he held with
the other private students where we were able to share
our progress and develop a small community."
James Feng
(pianist/composer)
I am a beginner, and am currently taking piano
and composition lessons with Michael.
He is an excellent instructor and an experienced musician.
As a result, knows what is most important to focus on
when teaching piano. Of course, as a student,
I started by learning about theory and keyboard technique,
but Michael goes above and beyond this to teach you
something even more valuable: what it means
to be a musician — an artist.
His unique,
systematic approach to practicing has
completely changed the way I look at skill acquisition,
and I would even go as far to say that adopting
Michael's approach to studying music has changed
the way that I structure my life. I'm aware that
this sounds ridiculously corny, but I know that
studying piano with Michael has given me benefits
beyond just learning proper piano form.
To any beginner reading this review who is thinking about
starting piano lessons — you can't go wrong with Michael.
He knows his sh--, and he knows how to teach it.
Alex B.
(pianist)
I've been taking piano lessons with Michael after a 20-year hiatus
from the instrument and the lessons are fun and friendly !
His approach is unique, with carefully thought out pedagogy
that really works. He is probably not the right teacher
if you're just looking to learn a few tunes, but if you want to learn
to play piano the right way, he is excellent at what he does.
His knowledge of music is broad and deep — across instruments,
genres, cultures, and personalities, and he has no shortage
of interesting stories and tidbits to share. He also runs periodic
workshops for his students, which are a great way
to build other skills.
The best part of studying with Michael is the way that you see
your progress at the instrument accelerate.
The early months are hard work, but it pays off as you start
noticing how easily you improve from there.
He also is committed to making your music integrate
holistically and practically with your life,
without unrealistic expectations about practice time.
Finally, Michael's prices are reasonable
and his policies and availability have been great for me.
Ann Blake
(vocalist/composer)
"Thank you for being an incredible teacher with
the most amazing array of skills and talents, who also
manages to figure out what I need
in any given moment.
The journey with my vocal technique & improvisation,
percussion, performing, theory, composition,
along with music history has been wonderfully rich.
It has been
an honor and great pleasure
to study with you for the last six years."
Paul Davis
(drummer/pianist)
"I came to Michael with no piano experience,
hoping to get a decent foundation before returning to study
music in college. Over the course of 9 months, we covered
theory, technique, improvisation, composition, arranging,
and analysis — ultimately giving me not just piano skills,
but the ability to think critically about music and a deeper
understanding of myself as a musician.
His piano method is thorough, and he is very knowledgable
about many styles of music. I highly recommend Michael
as both a piano and composition teacher."
Jerusha Simon
(vocalist/songwriter/pianist)
"Having taken lessons throughout my life
(including a vocal performance major in college),
I can say with confidence that Michael is one of the best
vocal teachers I've had the pleasure to work under.
He is the only teacher whose approach has actually gotten
me to practice on a regular basis and make me accountable !
Michael isn't just giving me singing lessons—
we're working on theory, composition, piano, and even
percussion—as well as developing my bandleading skills.
(I know his skills here are sound because they
come directly from his own professional experience).
He has been compassionate every step of my way
and guided me through the moments of fear and
frustration with absolute kindness and support,
and best of all, no bull****.
People look at me like I'm crazy when I tell them
I drive one hour each way for just for my lessons,
but let me tell you, Michael is well worth it !"
Eric Rodriguez
(keyboardist/composer)
"I am now super excited about my musical journey!
You have helped me more than you probably know...
My composing is not only what I enjoy,
but what I need in my life.
I also realize that I've been stuck
for quite a while with a fractured approach
that has become a series of mannerisms.
Thanks for pushing me along— you are awesome!"
Kathy Lautz
(vocalist/pianist)
"I had no idea that working with my rhythm as a
vocalist would reveal such important
physical issues.
Like my poor 'computer wrist' that was sore
and barking every time
I sat down at the piano.
The sequence of stretches and exercises you had me do
were almost magical in their effect.
(Loved the warm/cool water arm soaks, too,
much
more gentle than just plain ice).
When we moved to playing percussion, the vibration
of the drumsticks just woke up the sensation in my hands
and arms so when I sat back
down at the piano, voila,
no more involuntarily curling up right index finger!
I could press
the keys down normally, first time in
a long long time. I'm totally convinced.
Thanks very
much, again."
Mark Baum
(vocalist/composer)
"It's hard to know where to begin
when trying to describe Michael's musicianship —
he does so many things, and does them all so well.
In every area of his music, he has golden ears
and precise attention to detail. I'm studying
vocal improvisation with him and loving it!
I admire his confidence as a teacher
in combination with personal humility
and willingness to listen. I see him as
setting a course for me as his student
with clear vision of where I could go,
but attentiveness and flexibility
as I give feedback about how the journey is going,
and what's working for me and what's not.
This guy is the real deal: an artist,
a master craftsman, and a spiritually disciplined,
thoughful listener —
someone well worth getting to know."
Beverly J. Howard
(pianist/composer)
"In a very short time I learned how to sit
much more efficiently at the piano, and got clear
that I can compose music right now
and not wait for my piano technique to catch up.
Thank you for providing such nurturing
and insightful
piano lessons! Your studio was a creative oasis for me."
Isaac
Ho
(pianist)
"I have studied classical music for 15 years and jazz for
4,
and Michael is one of the most observant teachers
I have worked with. His experience in
dealing with countless students of various levels
really comes to the fore, as he can quickly diagnose problems
that would have taken me weeks to figure out with
another teacher. It is rare to find a high-level jazz performer
who devotes significant effort to the separate arts of
both teaching and playing. All in all,
he's an excellent teacher in a field (jazz piano)
where great teachers are hard to come by!"
Sonya Brewer
(vocalist/songwriter)
"Sad but true. After eight years of voice lessons
I felt less confidence than when I started.
But my work with Michael was transformative!
I remembered one particular piece of coaching he gave,
it completely changed the quality of sound in my voice.
I had never heard myself sound so good!"
David Babich
(clarinetist/vocalist/composer/arranger)
"Smolens is highly knowledgeable not only
of jazz and
various pop styles, but the music of many cultures,
both instrumentally and vocally.
This, combined with his gifts of organization, focus,
and patience, make him an exceptional teacher."
Rae Anderson
(vocalist/pianist)
"Today
I am singing with a jazz a capella group where
I continue to apply what I have learned from Michael.
He provided me with tools and techniques that I can
always use, especially when I need to break down chords
and difficult rhythms, or face an array of
other musical challenges. Michael Smolens IS music.
I can't recommend him enough!..."
Daniel
Tucker
(pianist/vocalist/composer/arranger)
"Michael's ability to play drums and vocalize
a bass part greatly enhances my piano lessons.
After being taught a new chord progression,
way of improvising, or comping pattern,
I can instantly try it out as part of a 'trio'.
And somehow while juggling the drums at his hands
and the bass in his mouth, Michael still has
ears open to hear and respond to what I'm playing.
It adds up to much quicker assimilation of new concepts
and technique for me, and is fun for both of us!"
Dave
Florey
(pianist)
"I
always felt like I had learned something new
with each lesson and was capable of learning even more-
he really nurtured the Spirit of the Student in me!..."
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