Sophia specializes in teaching both classical and jazz piano and has professional experience in performing and composing. Sophia offers lessons live online from her studio with a dual camera set up that comes with aerial views of the piano keys to make learning accessible and seamless.
I specialize in teaching all things piano, and I have extensive playing experience in classical, jazz, and popular genres of piano playing. Piano lessons include in depth instruction in your favorite styles of playing, and personalized practice notes sent at the end of every session! We can explore: how to fluently read sheet music, to understand the anatomy of chords, to apply music theory knowledge to dissect our favorite melodies and harmonies, technical and warm-up exercises to increase your dexterity, to play your favorite songs, to sing and play at the same time, learning how to improvise and jam, and a lot more!
I love teaching because it genuinely fills me with excitement when I can see someone dedicate themselves to learning and improving at something as awesome as music. Being able to share my skill set to impact peoples’ lives through my biggest passion is one of the most rewarding experiences I embrace every day when I work with musicians of any level and any age. I love being able to be a vehicle for music and share my knowledge, just as others have with me, and I hope to be remembered as someone who has helped enhanced peoples' lives with music, passion, and happiness
I have been an active professional teacher and pianist for about 10 years and I hold a
Bachelor’s of Music in Composition for Media from Cal State Northridge. I was accepted into the Jazz
Piano Master's program at the California Institute of the Arts University, and decided to pursue my
passions as an artist and music educator instead. Since finishing school, I have performed with many
different ensembles, from full orchestras to jazz bands to pop groups across all of Los Angeles.
I began playing piano at 3 years old and studied classical music into my high school years, where I
passed the internationally acclaimed Level 8 ABRSM piano examination when I was 16. From there, I
was accepted to Cal State Northridge as a Classical Performance Major, but transitioned to Media
Composition so I could study Jazz Piano. I studied jazz piano with two of the best Jazz Pianists in Los
Angeles, Gary Fukishima and Matt Harris, who was the Department chair of the Jazz Studies program at
CSUN at the time.
I constantly seek new ways to share music by teaching as well as by challenging my personal musical
limits and sharing my music with the world. I practice every single day and I play with different groups
as a freelance pianist and recording artist. I currently run two YouTube channels, a Tiktok, an Instagram
page to share my music and piano teaching knowledge. I have released a music assignment notebook
available on Amazon, and have released my first song entitled “Just One More Time” under my stage
name Sophia Nova ~ available on all streaming platforms :)
My teaching style is shaped by building a personal relationship with each student, while
providing a comfortable and inspiring atmosphere where a student can develop to their full potential
in an absolutely judgement free zone. Every student has a different culmination of experiences and
music tastes, and I focus on embracing and nourishing each persons unique style preferences to make
sure every student feels understood and inspired. I achieve this by having a present awareness of my
students and the music they are drawn to, while also presenting sheet music or chord sheets, making
music book recommendations, giving notated handouts I’ve created, developing the musical ear with
different exercises, and working on technical exercises adapted to meet their individual skills and
playing style.
I am always checking in with how a student feels about their journey and lessons so far, and finding
new ways to either convey new information, and build up the skills we have been working on in
exciting ways. I encourage all students to tell me everything they enjoy and dislike about lessons, so we
can always find the best way to move forward to fulfill their goals. I ultimately seek to instill a love music
music with everyone I work so that they feel comfortable and confident expressing themselves
creatively and artistically.
I am genuinely so inspired by watching the people I work with grow into blossoming
musicians, especially when they get excited about learning something new. I am constantly learning
from my students how to be a better teacher, and I hope to translate that energy back into our lessons
in a fun and meaningful way!
I also love learning in general, and I find inspiration from everywhere around me, including through
reading literature, discovering new music to listen to, learning new piano songs and repertoire, taking
singing lessons, writing songs, and watching live concerts! If I’m not writing music in my studio or
performing, I’m most definitely watching a concert or singing along to something! There’s always
something new to be learned, explored, and discovered, and something to keep working towards. I
think that’s probably my favorite thing about music - the fact that I will also be a student forever :)
