I earned a Bachelor of Music from Berklee, a Masters of Music from New England Conservatory and an Honorary Doctorate of Music Arts from Shepherd University. - Some of my teachers include Edgar Valcarcel, William Thomas McKinley, Herb Pomeroy, Ran Blake, Anthony D’Bonaventura, Stephanie Tiernan, James Williams and others. - I taught at Berklee College of Music, New England Conservatory, Musicians Institute (Hollywood), Cornel School of Contemporary Music, California College of Music and Los Angeles College of Music. - As an author, I have published books on Latin Jazz, Ear Training and Solfege, Keyboard Voicings, Keyboard Technique, Contemporary Improvisation and other music subjects. As a producer, arranger, songwriter and keyboardist, I have worked in Los Angeles, New York and Boston areas.

First, I will set up a phone or Skype meeting with the new student to find about his/her musical goals.  I want to know about the musical styles the student loves, the artists the student listens, the music genres the student would like to learn and explore. These information helps me to organize the right type of curriculum and material for our joint musical explorations. I believe music lessons should always be fun, but grounded in a strong curriculum that will help the student achieve their musical goals and develop the necessary skills.

I enjoy teaching students of all ages, music levels and interest; from beginners to very advanced, their interest range from contemporary piano, voice, guitar, bass, songwriting, ear training, jazz, composition, music theory, arranging and scoring.

Try working with different music teachers until you find one that understands your musical needs, and can guide you in a fun but organized way to learn to play, sing or write all the music you love. Over the years I have learned that there must be a certain level of communication between music student and teacher to have a long term, fun and fruitful musical friendship.

Every Saturday, I host a Live Music Lesson Webinar through my Facebook page. I cover topics such as Ear Training, Solfege, Piano, Jazz Chords, Improvisation Techniques, Contemporary Piano Styles and Music Theory. The class is always free and open to all music students worldwide. You are invited to join my free online class at: www.facebook.com/lessonswithcarlos Saturdays @ 11:00am (PST)

I can think of three aspects that make my music lessons special. First, I have taught music professionally for over 20 years at institutions such as Berklee College of Music, New England Conservatory, Musicians Institute, Cornel School of Music, California College of Music and Los Angeles College of Music. — Second, I’m a music author and I have written extensively for piano, music theory, ear training, improvisation, composition, arranging and scoring. I also have written and developed music college level curriculum for the music schools mentioned above. — Third, my music studio in Los Angeles is located in the beautiful and historical Village Green. I also teach Online to students worldwide. I use several cameras to enhance the online music lesson experience. Online students will receive a video recording of their lesson. My classes are always fun, stress free but with a strong curriculum, organized and dynamic.