Michael Solomon - Piano & Guitar/Bass Instructor

Hometown: East Bay Area (Concord, Oakland, Berkeley), CA Years playing: 27 Years teaching: 9 Musical influences: J.S. Bach, Jimi Hendrix, John Coltrane, The Grateful Dead Education: Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music from Cal State University, East Bay. Received A.A. Degree from Diablo Valley College. Musical Projects: Duets and accompaniments with Andrei Iranov, Joel Casness, Richard Flores, Marc Teicholz Books Used:Alfred's Basic Piano Library, Mel Bay, Piano Adventures (Faber), Suzuki Key teaching concepts: Sight reading, technique, tone control, musical theory, getting the correct "feel" or "mood" of the piece, performance theory (connecting with the audience). Teaching Days: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays

Michael Solomon is yet another Music Time Academy instuctor with the ability to teach multiple instruments on a professional level. His first instrument was the piano, which he began playing at age three. He later took up the guitar and bass. Michael's education backgroud is just as extensive as his teaching experience. He studied classical guitar under Marc Teicholz at Cal State East Bay, where he majored in music performance. Prior to that, he studied at Diablo Valley College under guitarist Richard Flores. He has teaching experience in both the classroom and private lesson setting, having taught beginning through advanced guitar for the Newark Community Center for over five years, and having been on staff at C&L Music in Fremont and Hayward School of Music teaching private students.

Although Michael is excited to work with students of all ages and skill levels in any genre they choose, his cirriculum typically includes Classical/Baroque, Latin (Flamenco, Samba, Bossa Nova, etc.), Blues, Jazz and Rock. Michael can currently be seen gigging with a very talented violinist, performing guitar/violin duets in different Latin jazz styles.