All of
Elizabeth’s current tutoring subjects are listed at the left. You
can read more about
Elizabeth’s qualifications in specific subjects below.
Composition (Music)
I have taught composition and mentored students in this subject at the high school and junior college level. I also have a Master's degree in composition, am a working, award winning composer who works regulary writing soundtrack for theater and film in SF. It is one of my main areas of expertise.
I have an expert knowledge of orchestration, and like to mentor by studying key pieces and composers who developed certain styles that were important in the development of modern composition. I have a wide working knowledge of composition techniques and also modern technological skills, such as expert use of recording materials like Pro Tools (trained on) and electro acoustic composition/sound design. I can tutor in both digital music arts and acoustic.
Ear Training
I have exceptional aural skills myself and practiced in ear training for each level of musical instrument I studied, grades 1-8 on recorder, piano, flute, harp and voice.
I teach ear training in my academic job, and also in instrumental teaching using a variety of listen and respond techniques. Exercises include completing set-up musical phrases, singing back what is played, and rhythmic identification, amongst others.
English
I teach English composition, and have taught many developmental English courses during my career. I have many activities and lesson plans based around building strong grammar and punctuation skills, especially in challenging areas such as subject/verb agreement, use of commas, colons, and semi-colons, tense switching, complete/incomplete sentences, and syntax, amongst other things.
Flute
I studied Flute myself up to and including college, and was trained in Baroque and contemporary techniques of articulation, fingering and expression. I teach this subject with regard to the technicality and musical expression of the instrument.
General Music
I have extensive knowledge in all areas of music, from history, to other pop and world genres. I am also an experienced multi-instrumentalist and composer, with over 15 years experience in the music performance world. I teach AA level music theory and history, have an MA in music, have a diverse array of college course credits and experience, and am trained in music recording software, specifically Pro Tools and recording techniques.
Guitar
I am a professional finger-style guitarist with over 10 years of performance and teaching experience. I specialize in acoustic techniques and folk, finger picking patterns and chords, but teach other genres on the instrument also.
Literature
I have an A level in English Literature (the British version of a minor in college) and love reading, writing and breaking down plays, poetry, and novels for thematic content and meaning! I have, and do read widely, and I also teach English composition at the JC level, with the use of literary references.
Music History
I have taught for over 4 years, and currently teach music history and appreciation, and before that tutored at the high school and college level. I have studied music history extensively as part of my college degree in music. I have designed lesson plans that range from the middle ages to present day, and have a vast knowledge of music from all eras. I teach Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and 20th Century music in depth, including Jazz, Rock and Roll, Folk Revolution and Popular/Rap, concentrating on stylistic differences, composers, instruments and the development of dance and opera through the ages. I encourage active listening, and have a vast knowledge of social history regarding life and context in strylistic periods.
Music Theory
I studied music theory from the age of five! And now I teach it as part of AA music classes and tutoring sessions. I am a multi-instrumentalist, with classical and popular performance experience, and a Masters degree in Music composition, performance, and history. Whether you play an instrument and are looking to obtain a deep understanding of music theory, or you are trying to learn more about it for a certification, or as a beginner, I can help you develop your perception, and your interpretation of tonality, texture, pitch, notation, dynamics, instrumentation and melody.
Piano
I have been playing piano since I was four! It was one of my main instruments at college and I continue to record and perform on it as a singer and composer. I have extensive knowledge of musical notation, pieces, structure, articulation, and expression. I have performed in the classical, folk and popular genres, and obtained my grade 7 certification (college level) in piano 14 years ago. I would be delighted to help you to develop your style in this wonderfully versatile instrument whether you are a beginner, or college level musician.
Public Speaking
I have taught this for three years at the junior college level. I train students in different areas of speech, using a variety of activities to help build confidence and reduce anxiety. I have devised a number of lesson plans, which discuss the forms of different speeches, such as narrative, informative and persuasive, and the various types of communication used when speaking publicly, like verbal and nonverbal. I also coach students for individual situations, and this is where my experience as a performer and teacher comes in. I like to emphasize speech adaption, and how to make each oration engaging and applicable for each situation. This should be a fun and interactive experience!
Songwriting
I have coached in songwriting for a number of years, and have been a recording artist and songwriter, playing my own songs and giving workshops at festivals in the UK and California for over 12 years. I have recorded 5 CDs, have a Masters degree in music with an emphasis in composition, and won the undergraduate prize for popular songwriting at my college. I perform regularly in San Francisco and surrounding areas. I have a wide knowledge of writing for different musical genres and instruments, and am a multi- instrumentalist who can coach in arranging as well as lyric/melody/harmony crafting.
Writing
I teach English composition at the JC level, and have a variety of lesson plans designed for the purpose of creating various types of essays, including narrative, cause/effect, compare/contrast, argumentative, and short stories. My goal is to help you grow and improve as a writer, and to help you to build confidence in writing for all occasions, be they academic, or for the workplace.