Trevor has been a piano teacher in the San Gabriel / Foothill communities for over ten years. He teaches all styles of music (classical, jazz, pop, improvisation, composition, etc.) to students of all ages, and has developed his own personal approach to teaching. Trevor’s expertise has evolved through his years of education, practice and performance. His method of teaching encourages and emphasizes each student’s specific musical ability, while making music fun and easy to learn.

     Trevor has developed “Hear Your Teacher First” to allow prospective students an overview of his teaching style and curriculum, and to offer an avenue to listen to samples of his music. Hearing a musician play their instrument allows the listener the opportunity to interpret how the language of music is perceived and expressed by the performer. It is important to find a teacher that sounds and feels right; as choosing the appropriate teacher can create a fun, productive music environment allowing for the creation of positive memories and skills.

Private Lessons Available For:

• Piano
• Vocal
• Composition
• Sight Reading/Sight Singing
• Music Theory

Curriculum Overview:

     Trevor’s personal teaching and practice methods also incorporate several previously established methods such as the “Bastien", "Alfred", “Suzuki”, and “Alexander Technique". He also implements his own exercises, techniques and piano repertoire into each lesson. These techniques and methods develop each student’s unique physical and mental approach to daily piano practice.

Physical and Emotional Approach

• Why study music or more specifically, the piano?
• Learn to use the piano as a vehicle for personal expression and therapy through the act of practice
• Understand why and how music creates feelings within you
• Develop practice and technique routines that are and comfortable to your own body’s natural ability

Sight Reading/Singing and Vocal Development

• Beginning ear training and listening skills
• Learn high and low pitch identification and intervallic relations
• Identify and develop your vocal range
• Identifying major, minor, diminished and augmented chords and progressions
• Learn to sing and play melodies that you hear

Classical and Jazz Theory

• Learn to identify music forms, cadences, key signatures and common progressions
• Major, minor, diminished, chromatic, modes, and blues scales
• Triad and chord inversions, voicing, and chord extensions

Composition and Improvisation

• Discover what kind of music and writing style is right for you
• Learn to write your own chord progressions, melodies, and lyrics and proper notation
• Be able to improvise on your own, or in group settings
• Identify and create rhythmic and melodic patterns within any piece of music
• Learn music programs such as Finali, Cubase, and others which enable you to turn your musical ideas into recorded and written pieces of music

Testimonials:

"Trevor has been my son's piano teacher since he was 7 years old. Now that he is 17, and approaching his college years, it is apparent that Trevor has not only taught my son to play the piano, but he has also coached him through other areas of music and art appreciation as well. Trevor has taken him to levels we could not have imagined, and it is his "hands on" approach to teaching, and exploring areas of music, that have benefited my son the most. Thank you Trevor for all your years of teaching, coaching and mentoring. If I had another child, I would start them even earlier!" ~parent

"Trevor Hill has been an excellent piano teacher for my daughter, Christine.  She has benefited greatly from his positive approach.  He tells her what she has done right.  Trevor is acutely aware of how Christine is responding during lessons.  He recognizes immediately when Christine is not “getting it” and changes his approach.  Trevor’s techniques have increased Christine’s self-esteem and reduced her frustration." ~parent

"Hi, Trevor, I just want to compliment you on your student's recital last week-end. Pierre has made a lot of progress and he is really enjoying the lessons. He actually practices more often and is making a serious effort. I think your approach with him about having short term goals is working well. I am glad he is your student. His previous teacher was excellent but did not connect with him like you do. Pierre trusts you and respects you a lot; that says a lot about your teaching skills. I want to thank you for giving Pierre an opportunity to express himself; it's helped him a lot with his dance as well." ~parent

"My children continue to learn so much from Trevor's instruction. He continually brings them to the next level as their skills improve. He has a balanced approach to his teaching. He implements classic pieces throughout lessons, as well as encourages students to learn music that they enjoy and create themselves. My daughters are really enjoying music on a deeper level because of the quality instruction that Trevor provides. At this point I don't have to ask them to practice. They sit down and play throughout the day while we are home. It's become part of their routine." ~ parent

"Our daughter Madelyn has taken piano lessons from Trevor for more than 8 years. In those years Maddy has become a confident pianist, playing difficult pieces and composing a few of her own. Trevor is a wonderful teacher and is great with children. He is incredibly patient and fun loving while continuing to push Maddy to try new, more difficult pieces and stretch for her recitals. In addition to being a great teacher, Trevor is an accomplished pianist and composer. Given his rare combination of talents, we feel lucky to have Trevor as Maddy's piano teacher." ~ parent