Play Piano at UCLA

Dr. James has a Doctor of Music from Yale University and teaches at UCLA. More than just ivory and ebony, the piano is an instrument of boundless storytelling – and I've dedicated the last 40 years to helping students find their unique voice through its keys. As an award-winning pianist myself, I bring both experience and a deep passion to every lesson, guiding students of all levels to reach their full musical potential. Let's embark on a rewarding journey of musical discovery together!

"Had another solid lesson with James. He has helped me focus on the songs I need to nail down as a foundation, and continues to push me to try work on new more challenging ones.

Hi! I’m Dean—a pianist, songwriter, and music producer from Seattle, Washington. I’ve been playing piano professionally for over 13 years and was fortunate to further my musical studies at Berklee College of Music in Boston. I graduated Magna Cum Laude with a dual degree in Music Production & Engineering and Songwriting. During my time at Berklee, I had the privilege of studying piano under esteemed professors such as Laszlo Gardony and Alain Mallet. After graduation, I moved to Los Angeles to continue pursuing my musical career and share my knowledge with people just like you! I have experience in a wide range of styles, including pop, R&B, jazz, and classical. Additionally, I’ve spent years working with keyboards and synthesizers, developing a specialty in them—so if that’s your interest, I’ve got you covered there too! I’m incredibly passionate about music and teaching, and I’m genuinely excited to get to know you and help you on your musical journey!

"Dean has an immense, infectious passion for music and truly real talent. I’m always impressed by everything he creates- and I am confident he can pass all of this onto you as a mentor.

My passion for music extends beyond playing—it's about sharing the joy of creating. As a music producer with 7 years of teaching experience, I guide students of all levels to find their unique voice through piano. Let's unlock your musical potential together.

""I never thought piano could be this cool. I’m playing music from games I’ve loved for years, and now I’m even making my own."

I have been playing piano for 18 years and have taught it to student of various ages, from children to adults. My approach is judgement free and focused on the individual goals of each student!

"I am in my 50s and always wanted to return to piano after taking lessons as a child. My lessons with Petra wildly improved both my technique and my understanding of musicality. With her I played everything from Beethoven to Thelonious Monk and I was able to work solely on the pieces that I was interested in. She was very understanding of my busy schedule and really tailored the lessons to fit my interests which I so appreciated.

Robin is the Wind Conductor of the Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (YOLA) at Inglewood under the Los Angeles Philharmonic. She is also the founder and conductor of the Mission Philharmonic and Mission Wind Ensemble, where she is dedicated to fostering music education and appreciation in Riverside through free concerts and community outreach. Her conducting experience spans orchestras, wind ensembles, and opera, including her work with the Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Opera at California Baptist University. As a performer, she has played with distinguished ensembles such as the World Youth Wind Symphony and the FMEA All-State Symphonic Band. In addition to her work on the podium, Robin has held arts administration roles, serving as Orchestra Manager for the Sewanee Symphony and Artist Liaison for the National Repertory Orchestra. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Instrumental Conducting at California Baptist University and holds a Bachelor of Music in piano and flute performance from Florida Southern College.

"We’ve had a wonderful experience with Robin as my daughter’s piano teacher. Robin is incredibly patient, engaging, and knows exactly how to connect with young learners. Highly recommended for any parent looking to introduce their child to music in a supportive and inspiring environment!

From crafting chart-topping tracks to nurturing musical talent for 28 years, my journey as a music producer informs my piano teaching. I empower students to unlock their potential through tailored instruction and a passion for music. Let's compose your success story, one key at a time!

"Great

I’m Hrant Terteryan, a dedicated pianist and teacher with strong experience guiding students of all ages. My teaching style is supportive and personalized, focusing on technique, creativity, and making music enjoyable. Beginners are always welcome — I’ll help you gain a solid foundation while keeping lessons inspiring and engaging. Unlocking musical potential is my specialty. With 9 years of experience and a background as a concert performer, I provide tailored piano instruction. Let's embark on a rewarding musical journey together!

"“Hrant is an excellent teacher with great energy and passion. He makes learning fun and easy, and I always feel motivated after every lesson.”

My doctoral degree in Music Education and my experience cultivating a private studio enable me to guide students on their piano journey. Students can choose to focus on repertoire, performance strategies, jazz improvisation, technique, music theory, music history, composition, or a mixture of any of these! I’m so excited to meet you and help you on your musical journey.

Fabrice is a concert pianist with a passion for sharing his expertise and technical mastery. He excels at guiding students to develop precision, control, and expressive musicality in their playing.

My name is Gabriel Rojas. I’m a young film composer, pianist and cellist. I’ve been playing piano for 14 years and cello for 8 years…classically trained on both. I have 9 years of teaching experience and I am passionate about and dedicated to forging personal authentic relationships with students and families while ensuring a well rounded and high quality learning experience for any students I have. I graduated from westmont college with a bachelors degree in music composition and have recently acquired a masters degree in screen scoring from the Jacob’s school of music. I’m excited to work with you!

I’m a passionate piano teacher with over 33 years of experience as a professional pianist and more than 20 years of teaching students of all ages and levels. I’ve trained with highly skilled European teachers and have advanced studies in solfège, music theory, harmony, counterpoint, classical singing, and composition. In my lessons, I focus on building strong technique and musicality while making learning enjoyable and confidence-boosting. I tailor each lesson to the student’s goals and learning style, helping them develop creativity, self-expression, and a genuine love for music. 🎹 Online lessons available 🎶 In-person lessons available depending on location

Music is my life's language, and I'm passionate about helping others speak it fluently. As a music producer pianist and flutist for the past 5 years, I tailor my teaching to each student. Join me, and let's create something beautiful together!

As an award-winning pianist, I bring two decades of experience to every lesson. My passion is nurturing musical talent and helping students of all levels unlock their potential at the piano. Let's embark on a fun and fulfilling musical journey together!

Terry Hsu, born in Taiwan, earned his bachelor's degree at UCLA with a full scholarship under David Kaplan and guidance from Inna Faliks. During his studies, he earned a Gluck Fellowship and was invited to perform extensively throughout Los Angeles. In recent years, Terry has worked with world-class pianists such as Michelle Cann, Orli Shaham, and Jerome Lowenthal. He has also studied extensively with Norman Krieger and Gabriela Martinez at the Brevard Music Festival of 2023. Throughout his undergraduate years, Terry was accepted to numerous music festivals such as Vivace Music Festival, Brevard Music Festival, and Mannes Piano Festival. These festivals allowed him to study under artists from top conservatories and universities across the world. Other highlights include prizewinner in multiple competitions, including PAC SAI Competition, Brevard Music Competition, and UCLA's Rubinyi Piano Competition. With these accolades, he performed at UCLA’s 2022 and 2024 Chancellor’s Recital and was invited to perform a private recital for UCLA's faculty club. More recently, Terry plans to pursue his Master's degree at UCLA in both Inna Faliks and David Kaplan's studios under a full scholarship. Terry's students have won competitions, performed with international orchestras, and been accepted to top conservatories such as Juilliard, New England Conservatory, and Manhattan School of Music.