Matthew Giles Music Lessons
"As a local music teacher, I seek to inspire my students to create for the sake of exploration,
and to hone their skill for the sake of learning.
That they would explore, learn, and grow a skill that will serve them for a lifetime."
Whether it’s used for individual therapy, or to inspire a whole nation to positively grow, music has shown us that its impact is nothing short of profound. I have personally seen it grow emotional intelligence, foster community, and unify strangers.
It is my belief that this versatile and fulfilling skill could benefit anyone in every season of life! And making this skill accessible is my passion.
As for my personal music journey, I was classically instructed on piano and completed all 10 levels of MTAC’s Certificate of Merit, while performing with high school jazz band. Underneath the academia, I was taking drum, guitar, ukulele, and banjo lessons, and learning my favorite songs by ear on my own time.
I earned my BA in Music Education, whilst pursuing a deeper learning of jazz and gospel. Starting a jazz trio afforded me the opportunities to compete, gig, and perform, even with our nation's poet-laureate, Robert Pinsky. Following university, I spent two years as the weekly pianist at Salvatore’s Italian Cucina, keyboardist for The Jazmine Rodgers Band, Sound Designer for Electric Dream Machine, and Rihanna Replay (acts by Music Zirconia), and performed regularly for Pala and Sycuan Casinos.
Throughout performing and gigging, I retained my core passion for teaching and sharing the knowledge I was accruing. I led and ran summer camps at Recreational Music Center, taught group classes to music beginners (4-6), intermediate musicians (8-12), advanced ensembles (high school - adult) as well as private lessons for all ages.
In addition, I taught for three years as Music Teacher at Pacific Beach Elementary, (TK - 3rd Grade) where I hosted two musical performances each year. Seeing many of my students progress and improve, I was inspired to open up my own teaching studio, where I could more thoroughly invest in a student's long-term growth.
I still value and teach the classical pillars of theory, technique, and sight-reading. However, in addition, I combine that traditional route with functional ear-training (learning by listening), and help my students study the theory of our current music industry so they can improvise and compose songs of their own.
Thrice a year, I hold music recitals where we all share what we are learning with each other and with different music studios. As a member of MTAC, I also prepare students to participate in the Composer’s Today program, and Certificate of Merit evaluations.
It is my hope to inspire my students to create for the sake of exploration, and hone their skill for the sake of learning. That they would explore, learn, and grow a skill that will serve them a lifetime.