STUDIO INFO

• All ages/levels welcome
• Will travel to student homes in LA, Pasadena,
  Santa Monica, Bellflower, and Huntington Beach areas.
• Studios in Los Angeles and Bellflower
• Styles taught: Classical, jazz, blues, funk, classical improvisation, contemporary.
• Subjects: Ear-training, theory, composition, improvisation, sight-reading, technique, MIDI performance/composition, synthesizer
• Recitals for younger students given winter and late spring/summer
• Older students play for each other in group informal settings
• Group class/recitals for advanced students

(Email for rates)

EDUCATION

• Doctor of Musical Arts degree: Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California
• Major in Piano Performance (classical): student of John Perry
• Degree emphasis in Theory and Analysis (Dr. Robert Moore), Electro-Acoustic music and Jazz/Improvisation (Dennis Thurmond)

TEACHING

• Teaching Assistant to John Perry
• Member of USC teaching staff: piano classes and assistant to the piano faculty
• Keyboard Faculty member Bethesda University teaching classical and improvisational styles
• USU Youth Conservatory faculty member
• 20+ years teaching experience

PHILOSOPHY

While my main focus is classical performance/instruction, my extensive work in jazz and improvisation has proven to expand the horizons of many students at all levels of development. While I can accommodate students desiring a formal classical approach, many students have found great returns through exploring improvisation and their own creativity, often times resulting in self-compositions. Technological advances have also allowed anyone with a keyboard, a computer, and an idea to turn their homes into mini-production studios, and I’ve found great value by including these elements into lessons as well.

My method is that of Theodor Leschetizky in that there is no set method that works for everyone. I try to find the strengths/interests of my students and create a lesson plan that assists their unique character.

BIO

Dr. Aaron McClaskey began studies at the age of 5, and at age 10 realized he wanted to make music his life. Soon after this decision he garnered awards at the MTNA Baldwin and Yamaha National Competitions, and finished his high school career with the bronze medal at the Gina Bachauer Young Artist’s International Competition.

Dr. McClaskey was awarded prizes at the MTNA Collegiate Young Chang Competition at the National Level, Kingsville Young Performer’s International Competition, Corpus Christi International Concerto Competition, among others. He has performed as soloist with numerous symphony orchestras, including the Utah Symphony, Idaho Falls Symphony, and Utah State University Orchestra. Masterclass performances include: Leon Fleisher, Claude Frank, Andre Watts, Charles Rosen, Martin Canin, James Tocco, Anne Koscielny, Panayis Lyras, and Andre-Michel Schub.

Besides classical performance, Aaron has also worked and trained extensively in jazz/improvisational styles, synthesizer and computer music. He has performed in concert both classical and jazz improvisations in solo and ensemble settings. During his graduate years he studied with renowned USC professor Dennis Thurmond learning techniques of performance in jazz, funk, blues, and classical improvisation as well as incorporating MIDI performance in a concert setting.