Humanities and Music Expert offers friendly facilitation

Hi. I believe in the "organic" method of tutoring. That means I start out LEARNING FROM YOU THE STUDENT, about what you already know, how you talk about it, and what type of learning process works for you. From there, I create an approach to expressing MY understandings by starting with what you know and speak and expanding on that. Now, there are times when this doesn't work so well, and I need to introduce you to something that is quite unfamiliar at first glance. But even then, I seek common ground through allegory, analogy, or metaphor. The result is that I have a very high rate of student comprehension and excellent learning outcomes. Please give me a try and you will find a "friendly facilitator" indeed!

My background includes 8 years of teaching, and a Master of Fine Arts degree in music composition. I scored in the top 2% on the SAT TEST. I have taught and tutored students from age 3 to 64. I have had 16 articles published. I also worked in the corporate world.

Cheers, Carl

Carl's Subjects

Math:	algebra 1, algebra 2, geometry, linear algebra
Science:	nutrition
Music:	composition (music), ear training, music theory, piano, songwriting
Art:	composition (music), photography
English:	ACT English, ACT Reading, English, ESL/ESOL, grammar, proofreading, public speaking, reading, SAT reading, SAT writing, vocabulary, writing
Test Preparation:	ACT English, ACT Reading, GED, GRE, SAT reading, SAT writing
Computer:	Adobe InDesign, desktop publishing, Macintosh, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, photography
Language:	ESL/ESOL
Special Needs:	phonics
Elementary Education:	elementary (k-6th), elementary math, elementary science, grammar, phonics, reading, spelling, study skills, vocabulary
Business:	GRE, marketing, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, public speaking
Sports/Recreation:	fitness
Corporate Training:	ESL/ESOL, grammar, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, proofreading, public speaking
Homeschool:	algebra 1, algebra 2, elementary (k-6th), English, ESL/ESOL, geometry, piano, reading, SAT reading, study skills, writing

Composition (Music)

Music composition and improvisation are quite related. I show how music is structured, so that the patterns can be improvised or written down, either way. Based on the Chord-Scale families system formulated at Berklee College of Music, I show you the quickest way to gain familiarity and competence at putting together melodies, harmonies, and rhythms. The first stage requires gaining basic knowledge of scales on your instrument, ability to read simple melodies and chords of written music. However,... Read More

Ear Training

Do you have trouble writing down your musical ideas? Or improvising music with other musicians? Chances are that ear training is the answer. Learn to identify intervals, harmonies, scale-types, Rhythm patterns. Using solfeggio, a piano if you have one, recordings, and your instrument, I will help you get a firm idea of where your music is coming from and going to.

Elementary (K-6th)

Most difficulties in primary education stem from communications issues. I have a degree that focused on written, spoken, and media communications. From this and my years of experience with teaching children, I work to open up a clear and friendly channel of communication, and develop from that the students' own interests into an understanding of the value of the three R's and of basic science and arts understanding. Curiosity is encouraged, and direction is gentle.

Piano

Carl attended the Berklee College of Music as a piano major, and California Institute of the Arts as a Composition Major. He has won awards for his compositions, arrangements, and songs. He played keyboards behind several famous singers and lots of not-so-famous ones. He plays jazz, blues, classical, latin-jazz, pop, motown, funk, and folk. Carl is the official Piano instructor at Ingrams Music store in Merced, CA.

ESL/ESOL

English for non-native speakers who are seeking education in the English language. Based on the instructor's certified teaching of ESL in South Korea and Thailand, and his own endeavors to learn three foreign languages, you be assured that you are in the care of an experienced and adept teacher. Includes preparation for tests such as the TOEFL exam, Carl goes deep into the nuances and cultural quirks of the English Language as practiced in the United States.

Songwriting

What makes a song memorable? what makes it stand out? How much of a song do we remember? These aspects are determined by song structure, understanding the culture of language, and a little-known property called prosody. We will look at song structure as we create songs together. Pre-requisite: ability to play chords and scales on guitar, piano, harp, mandolin, or accordion.

Photography

Are you a shutterbug? Not used to the digital approach? let me show you the ropes. I have been working as a photo-journalist using an Olympus C-8080 Camedia digital still and video camera, iPhoto, iMovie, Graphic Converter, and Photoshop Elements. I can show you how to clean up, enhance, and post your photos online to various communities.

Public Speaking

A successful delivery stems from good preparation. Just like playing an instrument, practice and methodology are important. Carl has been a classroom teacher for over eight years, and has given lectures at community colleges and in public meetings. He studied public speaking while still in high school, and has continued with self-study ever since. Recommended text is called "Resonance- the art of presentation"

Adobe InDesign

Basics of desktop publishing on Mac, using Adobe InDesign, Graphic Converter, Photoshop elements, iPhoto, Fonts, mock-ups, and printers. Carl was in charge of desktop publishing at a publishing company in Berkeley, CA, and has been editor for a newsletter for medical professional. He has laid out three books, and many other documents of all types. Interface with printers is an important aspect of successful publishing, and InDesign also interfaces with the online publishing world. This is an introductory-to... Read More

Desktop Publishing

Using the Mac Computer, there are many small applications and tasks that add up to being able to design and print materials that truly communicate your ideas. This is an art as well as a technology, and we can develop both through the system and steps that I learned myself when working with a publishing company. It is mainly a protocol for self-examination and system organization that leads to a successful communication in printed media. But the details are important also, and I will be sure to... Read More

Macintosh

Mac Operating system OS 10.5 or 10.6, "Tiger" or "Snow Leopard", as well as the basic free applications that come with every Mac: iPhoto, Mail, iCal,address book, iMovie, TextEdit, Safari, graphic converter, stickies, garage band, etc. I also can help you with Microsoft Office for Mac 2008, Pages, Keynote, Quicktime, Skype, Real Player, Firefox, Adobe Acrobat, and several graphics applications. My certificate in Scientific Illustration qualifies me to teach you how to set up graphs, charts, and... Read More

Read all subject qualifications »

Education

Undergrad, New College of Califonia, SF Graduate, Masters, Evergreen Sate College Graduate, Other, University of Washington Extension

Very smart tutor — Carl A. is nice and polite. He is personal and soft spoken in teaching. He used good everyday examples to convey math problems.

— Donna from Hayward, CA

More Student Reviews »

Hourly Fee

Standard Hourly Fee: $30.00

With Prepaid Discount: $25.50 - $28.50

Save up to 15%

Cancellation: 10 hours notice required

Except for piano lessons I charge $45 per hour, or $30 per half hour.

You don't pay until after your tutoring and there are no hidden fees or charges. The price you see here is the price you pay.

Your first hour with any tutor is always 100% refundable. You must be completely satisfied or we will gladly issue you an instant refund.

Travel Policy

Carl will travel within 20 miles of Berkeley, CA 94702.

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Credit	For Only	You Save
$200 - $399	$190 - $379	5%
$400 - $999	$360 - $899	10%
$1,000 +	$850 +	15%

Carl A.