Welcome to Joe Manuel’s Private Music Lessons

I look forward to serving you on your music journey! Currently I am offering private lessons for Singing, Piano, Guitar, and Violin. 

With a bachelor's degree in Music Education from Vanguard University, I've been teaching Singing, Violin, Piano, and Guitar in classroom and one-on-one settings since 2002. Currently I am the Musical Theater Teacher for the city of Norwalk, and the Music Director for Arts Aloud Theater Group. Other places where I have taught are: Kids Space Whittier, Oakwood Academy Long Beach, Calvary Chapel Downey School, Dexter Music, and ABC Unified School District. I've been complimented on my ability to teach in a way that makes my students learn very quickly. I was trained in the classical/theater and pop/rock genres. I've toured with choirs throughout China, and the United States (including Carnegie Hall), and I have also toured with rock/pop bands in Spain, Mexico, Central America, Peru, and throughout the U.S.A.

I've worked with various vocal coaches including Grammy-nominated Ilene Graff, and Maxayn Lewis who has worked with many celebrities. I am also currently the lead singer (also playing guitar & piano) for the band Hello Human. I've worked with amazing musicians including Michael Thompson (guitarist for Michael Jackson, Christina Aguilera), and John Robinson (drummer for Quincy Jones, Elton John).  I've also had the honor of working with Wyn Davis (producer of No Doubt, Sublime). 

My vocal recordings/original songs are on television show The Young & The Restless (“Dreamers” June 11th episode 11449, “High Tops” June 6th episode 11447), and currently on KWAVE 107.9. They have also been featured on Alcoa Tennessee's Love 89.1, Refuge, CSN, WCTL, and on hundreds of other radio stations. 

Lesson Details

The method I use to teach is the method that was taught to me as a Music Education Major at Vanguard University and it is very successful! I’m sure this method will make you/your child thoroughly proficient in the instrument of your choice.  

The lessons are not group classes, they are one-on-one sessions that are divided into 4 parts:   

1. Scales/Chords/Arpeggios/Warm-ups   
2. Sight-Reading   
3. Theory   
4. Improvisation 

Depending on the instrument of your choice, and also what your specific goals are, each of these parts are customized. You will learn quickly. 

Studio Details
My Lessons Studio has an upright piano and extra guitars. There is free parking on the street and adjacent parking lot. 

Music Lesson Details & Policies

The method I use to teach is the method that was taught to me as a Music Education Major at Vanguard University and it is very successful! I’m sure this method will make you/your child thoroughly proficient in the instrument of your choice.  You/Your child will be able to master Scales, Sight Reading, Theory, and Improvisation. Please read the following policies: 

1. Location and Time: Private lessons are 30, 45, or 60 minutes long and take place once a week; they are held at the Bellflower Music Lessons studio (17013-B Bellflower Blvd, Bellflower CA 90706), or online, or at your home, depending on the planned arrangement. If you choose to have the lessons at your home, an additional fee will be required depending on the distance.  

2. Fee: See chart below for pricing. 

3. Time of Payment: The monthly payment can be made by cash, check, Zelle, Venmo, or Paypal and it must be turned in by the first of the month. Failure to pay on time can result in the discontinuing of your lessons until payment is received.  Constant late payments can result in the loss of your lesson time-slot.  

4. Absence: At least a 24 hour notice is required for any and all absences. If you do not contact me at least 24 hours before the lesson time, you will still be charged without the option to reschedule. If and when I am notified of an absence 24+ hrs prior to your scheduled lesson, you will have the option to reschedule a makeup lesson within 2 weeks (max) of the missed lesson at no extra charge. If the available time-slots do not work for your makeup lesson, the lesson is forfeited with no roll over.  You will not be charged if lessons are canceled at the beginning of the month prior to monthly payment. After monthly payment, lessons can only be rescheduled not canceled.  

5. Tardiness: All tardiness must be communicated. There will be no added time to the end of your lesson if you are late and you will still be charged the full amount. If you are more than 15 minutes late, and have not contacted me, the lesson time is then forfeited with no option to reschedule.  

These standards are designed to conduct an orderly private lessons program that will benefit you/your child.  Thank you for your cooperation!

                   Joe Manuel

Background Check Completed through City of Norwalk