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Learn More About Michael's Experience:

chess My Dad taught me how to play chess when I was seven years old, and I've been playing regularly ever since. Over the past year, I have devoted several hours weekly to studying and playing the game online and over the board. I have also received professional instruction from Al Cisneros of the Berkeley Chess School. I love playing chess and I love teaching others to play. It is a truly fascinating game that can improve any student's abilities in academic subjects. With my background, I believe that I am qualified to teach beginning and intermediate players. I know what it takes to become a good chess player, and I have the materials to help any enthusiast improve their game. piano I began taking piano lessons at a local music academy when I was 13. I was trained mostly in classical and jazz, but also studied some contemporary genres like rock and country. I stopped taking professional lessons when I went to college, but continued to play piano often on my own and with friends. I also took some university courses in music theory which deeply improved my playing abilities and my ear. I have given piano and music theory lessons to several students. I have taught beginners with no musical experience as well as intermediate/advanced students looking to improve on their abilities and learn new genres and styles. My strength as a piano instructor lies in the fact that I have both practical and theoretical knowledge of the piano and of music in general. I teach all of my students very strong fundamentals in music theory and playing technique, so they can continue to grow as musicians even after they stop taking lessons. I tend to let my students choose what kind of material they want to study. I won't force anyone to learn classical music if that doesn't interest them, so if a student just wants to focus on contemporary styles, that's fine, as long as they are willing to learn to read music and master the basics like forming chords, scales, modes, bass lines, etc. As long as a student is willing to work hard and practice, I can guarantee success as a pianist and growth as a musician. Russian I specialized in Russian studies in college and spend five months studying abroad in Moscow, Russia. My language skills have been evaluated at an Advanced-High level. I am highly proficient in all modes of Russian (conversation, reading, and writing), and I also have an excellent knowledge of the language's complex grammar. I am qualified to teach beginning learners or tutor intermediate students who want supplementary practice for a Russian course they're already taking. In addition to my language skills, I can also provide cultural information since I lived in Moscow. Other tutors probably have not had this experience.