Chie

I teach at music stores and at my home studio, in the East and North Bay California.

I teach piano, voice, guitar, and ukulele.

I also do vocal coaching and audition accompaniment. 

My qualifications:

Bachelor Of Arts with Jazz Voice Emphasis from Sonoma State University

College Level Piano Certificate from The Piano Teacher's Guild

10 years of working as a music director/rehearsal pianist for local theaters. 

15 Years of successful teaching

Teaching Bio 

I have studied classical piano from the age of 7. Later I graduated from Sonoma State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Jazz voice. I also mastered classical singing technique by studying with a renowned Soprano, Svetlana Nikitenko, and had worked as a classical soloist throughout the Bay Area.

Currently, I perform with my band, TokiMono. I am the lead vocalist, keyboardist, and songwriter. We almost solely perform our own originals, including songs I write in Japanese. I vary my singing styles to suit the band's eclectic song lineup - Rock, R & B, Jazz, Avant-Garde and even Okinawan folk music. 

I teach all ages. Little kids are fun, and so are mature adults! I can change my approach and adapt to students' different learning styles. I try very hard not to have a kind of ego that forces people to mold into my way. I would like to project a relaxed, open atmosphere when I teach so that students can talk to me about any issues without fear of judgment. I am also very interested in helping people overcome stage fright. I feel that the issue is not addressed enough.  I want my students to learn how to be present during performing and allow mistakes to happen as signs of growing. Sharing music is a deeply magnanimous act of love. I praise everyone who decided to benefit themselves and others through their courage!

My approach to singing is body-based. Rather than analyzing and trying to control through intellectual understanding only, I encourage people to be aware of internal physical sensations. I strongly believe that singing with proper body alignment and supportive muscles has a long-term benefit beyond the practice of singing. Try not to judge your voice before you learn the way to harmonize with your body. I can help you discover your own inner beauty. 

In addition to English, I also speak fluent Japanese and am competent in singing multiple languages such as Italian, Latin, French, German and Spanish.  I have a trained ear to be able to sing many other languages. If you are interested in singing in your native language, I can help you! 

Please contact me for current rates!

Payment methods: I accept Venmo, Zelle, cash or checks.

Special Offer: Under the current quarantine measure, I strongly recommend taking a lesson with me. Music can lift your mood and promote a healthier body and mind. You can reach me using Skype, Zoom, Google Hangouts, FaceTime, or Messenger. If you are experiencing financial hardship, I can offer a discount rate or donation-based tuition arrangement.