Fellow
Professionals
who have studied with Michael
Daniel McCormick
(L.A. film composer)
""Michael is simply an incredible teacher..."
Allen C.
(film composer)
"He listened to my opening score and told me it was a mixture
of 2 composers that might in theory, clash,
but the green light came:
"But it works..." he said. The rest of the session was super helpful, point-blank, give and take.
An approachable, serious, but fun guy, you can only get better
with Michael's helping hands (tremendous piano skills) and ears
(big history buff). Prices are reasonable. Highest rating."
Sam Bass
(cellist/recording and touring artist with Les Claypool)
"I feel very grateful for the time we got to spend together.
You opened my ears and mind to the next logical steps
in jazz and other types of improvisation.
My ability to explore more interesting harmonic
and melodic concepts has expanded into larger,
more interesting melodic leaps plus
more effective use of altered and whole-tone scales.
As I come to terms with the role of the cello in a jazz setting,
I feel like everything we worked on
is very present in my improvisational endeavors."
Maxwell Maynard
(pro vocalist/guitarist/songwriter)
"I found Michael almost by accident, and was unaware at first
that I had stumbled across a low-key legend
in the Bay Area music scene. Whatever level you're at,
he will meet you there and continually push you
to keep getting better — meting out constructive feedback
and genuine encouragement in equal measure.
Come prepared to learn, work, and improve.
You can tell that he truly loves music and seeks
to pass along what a lifetime of love has taught him."
Adrian B.
(expressive arts therapist/pianist/composer/vocalist)
"Michael is the most thoughtful music teacher I've encountered.
His teachings are relevant and translatable to other parts of life.
The highest quality of teaching can impact the rest of your life
because of its depth and thoughtfulness.
Thorough and thoughtful ! "
Michael Beach
(multi-instrumentalist/touring performer/recording artist/composer/teacher)
"I have had many teachers in my musical career,
and Michael Smolens stands out as one of the best !
His attention to detail and musical scope are unparalleled,
and his enthusiasm for teaching is always apparent.
Though we have minor stylistic differences, he has vastly
improved my skill as a pianist, vocalist, teacher, and beyond.
I am great appreciative of my time learning with Michael !"
Ethan Hamlin
(recording artist/vocalist/multi-instrumentalist/composer)
"I'm a songwriter who's been studying with Michael
for nearly four years. What keeps me coming back
is the same thing that initially attracted me to him:
the depth of his knowledge across a variety of musical
disciplines. During my time at his studio we've covered
all sorts of musical topics: voice, piano, composition,
theory, improvisation, and more. Having a teacher
who can fluently discuss and integrate ideas and concepts
across all aspects of music is tremendously valuable.
Additionally,
I appreciate that Michael listens carefully
and deeply to his students, adjusting his curriculum
depending on their needs. Highly recommended,
especially for musicians looking for
a teacher
who's ready to dig deep and cover a lot of ground."
Ayden Graham
(multi-instrumentalist/vocalist/songwriter/recording artist)
"Michael is a one of a kind teacher.
His ability to get to the heart of the matter with
clever analogies is uncanny.
I have been studying with him for about three months now
and have been stretched enormously by his teaching.
No teacher before has ever delved this deep into what it means
to be a practicing musician.
His three-part practice log is an invaluable tool
that I am onlyjust starting to get the hang of.
For a musician who is looking to clear up their misconceptions,
develop a practice routine, and make a commitment
to a lifetime of playing, Michael will get you there."
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."
Van Jackson-Weaver
(guitarist/vocalist/composer/bandleader/teacher)
I am in a much better position as a performer
after working with Michael Smolens. I originally contacted
Michael to learn vocal technique, but what I am learning
from him goes far beyond that. From the finer points
of bandleading, to marketing myself as a teacher,
to discussing more effective practice strategies,
Michael is helping me develop every aspect of myself
as a career musician. As hard as it is to make a living
as an independent artist, the skills and tools
that Michael is arming me with give me confidence
that I can make it work!
Kane Minkus
(touring vocalist/multimedia composer)
"After years of touring, recording and performing
I have worked with many vocal teachers and coaches.
Michael was extraordinary at quickly identifying
and moving me through my current set of limiting constraints.
In a short period of time, my voice improved greatly
and I gained an excellent education and ability
that I had not previously gotten from my formal training.
His expertise of the voice was apparent quickly
and his ability to personally pinpoint and apply
the right techniques to my needs was very impressive.”
Jeffrey Gaeto
(film composer/arranger/pianist/vocalist/teacher)
"He
is always insightful, meticulous, and draws from
an exceptionally broad palette of musical knowledge
and experience in addressing each area of concern.
Not to be understated is the fully supportive
and inspirational working environment
he has created in his personal studio.
Michael is a teacher of unsurpassed skill and dedication...."
Daniel Tucker
(vocalist/multi-instrumentalist/ composer/arranger/teacher/recording artist)
"This has been such a fun process,
and drawing on all the musical skills I’ve got!
From soloing on the keyboard, to comping various rhythms
with the B3, to arranging three voices in harmony,
to jotting down rhythmic ideas in rhythm notation,
I owe a lot to your guidance. Not to mention
all the ‘other’ stuff of a musician’s life,
like posting Craigslist ads, maintaining an email list
with concert announcements, keeping the plants
in my studio healthy... ;)
So... Thanks! Really appreciate your sharing
all that knowledge and experience..
And enjoying putting it to use now."
Conrad Seto
(pro guitarist)
"Michael's practice log has helped me go beyond
my current plateau and allowed me to become
truly self-sufficient, to go from being held accountable
by him about practicing to holding myself accountable.
And while his teaching of the technical aspects is masterful,
what he teaches about the bigger picture of music,
and life, is of even greater value..."
Jerry Goldstone
(guitarist/arranger/vocalist/comedian)
"[Studying
with Michael] has meant encompassing
areas such as more confident performance,
more productive practice, and a more positive approach....
I've been able to fill in gaps in
fundamental skills while concurrently learning how
to achieve the more advanced contemporary sounds
I wanted to incorporate in my guitar and band playing.
The ability to study vocals and arranging with Michael
also adds to my versatility and value in
professional situations. He continues to give me
very helpful coaching on the delivery of my
stand-up comedy, and provides a number of
excellent resources for study."
Michael
Udelson
(pianist/composer)
"Michael
always gave me a lot of insight on my pieces.
I was very impressed that he is comfortable in
the realms of jazz, classical, rock and world music!
He introduced me to a lot of great
contemporary composers I had never checked out before.
Each lesson was filled with musical information—
and new and different ways of approaching my compositions.
Extremely worthwhile!"
Robert Schnitzius
(composer/pianist/teacher)
"For
over eight years Michael has helped me
expand my 'palette' of composition tools to a
dramatic extent, suggesting creative ideas
I wouldn't have come up with on my own.
With his coaching I now have a
much broader understanding of vital concepts such as
creating contrast, melodic development,
and several others. I receive many compliments on
my songwriting, and I attribute a significant degree
of that to the instruction I have received from Michael."
Tess Kelly
(pro vocalist/recording artist)
"I came to Michael as a 51 year old, high soprano -
trained in the bel-canto method –
and a jazz singer looking for my natural voice.
Michael helped me incorporate my voice
with my whole body and overcome
my tendency to sing sharp. My middle and
lower range are coming more naturally now
and my body has evolved in unexpected ways.
His coaching goes beyond singing
and his passion for his work is contagious.
I feel more relaxed and confident
and I am getting rave reviews
from the audience as a result.
Thank you Michael!"
Eve Clausnitzer
(voiceover artist/script editor)
"Michael
provided me with training for both
the writing of scripts for very complex software tutorials
and recording the accompanying voiceovers
for Bio-Rad Labaratories, Inc. His experienced direction
during the recording brought us to
a highly-polished final product.
The recording was well-received by the Marketing Department
and was the forerunner to subsequent projects.
I look forward to many years of future collaborations between
us."
Alvaro
Sanabria
(public speaker/trainer)
"I was having trouble with voice and feeling unusually weary
at the end of a full day of giving workshops,
so I decided to look for help.
After a thorough evaluation, Michael perceived
a number of issues that affected my voice and speech,
and gave me some effective recommendations
having to do with posture, breathing, and
muscle relaxation. These all made a significant improvement
noticeable during my following workshops..."
Chris Hess
(non-profit leader/speaker)
"In my work to become a better public speaker,
I found your observations about my breathing and the
possible connection between distasteful topics and stress
in my throat very helpful; something I want to continue
to work with. Looking forward to my presentations
going better because of my study with you."
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