125 coaches & instructors for lessons in San Francisco, CA

Hi! My name is Jackson Levin, and I am a trumpet instructor and brass specialist. Specializing in trumpet performance and pedagogy, I earned my bachelor's degree in music performance from the Herb Alpert School of Music at UCLA. I've played trumpet for over 18 years and have studied with lauded trumpet players, including Jens Lindemann, Thomas Hooten, Jennifer Marotta, and Adam Luftman. As a performer, I've played with the UCLA Philharmonia, Wind Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, and Early Music Ensemble. I am currently a participating member of the Stanford Medicine Orchestra and have performed in various pit orchestras for many student-led musical productions, including Fiddler on the Roof, Assassins, Sweeney Todd, and Cinderella (to name a few). I was the lead trumpet player in a jazz septet from 2008-2012, and currently play in a jazz quartet alongside three other Bay Area Musicians: Patrick Talesfore, Jr., Jesus Ramos, and Nima Hafezieh. Overall, I have a strong background in classical and jazz performance. As a music educator, I firmly believe in the importance of offering gentle and supportive guidance to my students while working collaboratively through difficult musical concepts and techniques. By emphasizing the importance of patience and perseverance, I help students analyze difficult musical passages and phrases using a measure-by-measure approach. I believe that both attention to detail and freedom of creative expression can instill a deep understanding and lifelong passion for music that inspires students to derive both joy and curiosity in their practice and performance.

I’m a lifelong guitarist who’s learned the economics of the fretboard—how to say more with less. Over decades of performance, arranging, and teaching, I’ve come to see the guitar not as a maze of shapes but as a unified field of melody, harmony, and movement. My lessons are for intermediate players who want to stop memorizing and start understanding: to connect patterns, find melodic pathways, and unlock their own voice.

"Amazing teacher, so kind and patient. I was extremely nervous and he thought me a lot on the first day can’t wait for more lessons. Highly recommend

Derek is an experienced musician and sound designer with many years of music education experience. He holds a Master’s degree in Music and brings a strong academic and practical background to his teaching.

"“I’ve been wanting to continue my learning of ukulele and guitar. Derek is such a knowledgeable and patient teacher. I love how he breaks down the understanding of music theory and composition. I’ve had other guitar teachers that have taught me how to copy music tabs but Derek is really great in explaining the why of music!”

I've spent my entire life around the piano, playing for big names like Van Morrison and Bonnie Raitt, and even in the early days of "Saturday Night Live." I've also had a hand in writing music for TV shows and directing music for lots of school plays and community theaters. Now, I'm excited to take all that experience and use it to help you learn and grow as my piano student.

Music has been an essential element of my life, and for 25 years, I've been sharing that passion as a professional guitarist and dedicated instructor. I specialize in catering to whatever your curiosities are with the instrument and am fluent in a number of musical expressions on the guitar, be it Afrobeat, Rock, European Classical or American Jazz and R and B. I can also read and write in standard music notation, though this is not a requirement to begin lessons! I have played and worked with a number of world renowned Bay Area talents such as Grammy award winner Fantastic Negrito, The San Francisco Symphony Orchestra and The San Francisco Philharmonic Orchestra, My goal is to provide you with the technical foundation and creative freedom to express yourself through guitar, no matter your current skill level. Let's get started!

"My 14yr old son wanted to take up guitar lessons but wanted the "in person" experience which is how we met Josh. My son has learned so much in the short time he's worked with Josh. Josh is kind and works well with young people. He's reliable and easy to work with. He's amazing! If you are looking for that "in person" experience-he's your guy!