Play Piano at Home Studio - Derek

Christina Wang I began my musical journey at the age of 5 with classical piano, and since high school, I have expanded my skills to include singing, dancing, and theater. I hold a graduate degree in music from the University of California, Berkeley, and have had the privilege of participating in various musical ensembles—ranging from university choir and orchestra to chamber choirs and small ensembles. With over 23 years of teaching experience, I have had the honor of guiding students through their own musical paths. As a teacher, I pride myself on being organized, patient, encouraging, and fun. Over the years, I’ve developed a deep understanding of how to tailor my approach to each student's unique needs. The moment when a student experiences that breakthrough and everything "clicks" is what fuels my passion for teaching. I firmly believe that learning music is not only about developing technical skills but also about instilling a sense of discipline, excellence, and joy. Teaching has become a life mission of mine to share the beauty of music with my students, and I find great pride in helping them grow in their musical journeys. What I Teach: ● Music Theory (including musicianship and harmony) ● Reading Musical Notes ● Rhythmic Patterns ● Piano Techniques ● Sight Reading ● Aural Training ● Musical History ● Music Appreciation

"I’ve been learning piano with my teacher for over 10 years, starting when I was just 5 years old, and I truly couldn’t have asked for a more caring and considerate mentor. Throughout the years, she's shown endless patience, encouragement, and genuine care—not just for my musical growth, but for me as a person. She has an incredible ability to meet students where they are, gently pushing us to grow while always making lessons feel safe, supportive, and inspiring. My love for music, discipline in practice, and confidence at the piano are all thanks to her guidance. After all these years, she has become someone I deeply trust and admire. Her dedication and kindness have left a lasting impact on my life, far beyond music. I’m incredibly grateful for everything she's taught me and would wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone looking for a truly exceptional piano teacher.

Hey my name's Derek Schmidt and I'm a musician, sound designer, and music educator living in SF. I have a Masters in Music Composition and decades of performing experience.I've played piano for over three decades, for performance, production, and composition. I come at piano from an composer/songwriter perspective, so I can ground the lessons in music theory to help it all make sense, no matter what instrument you decide to play. I best teach beginning and intermediate students who want to explore different musical styles.

"“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!” – T.