Berklee College of Music graduate and passionate Songwriting Teacher in LA. Join EJ to explore the art of songwriting, regardless of your level or age!

Find out more about EJ

• When did you first develop a passion for music and your favorite instrument?

  I first developed my passion for music when I was very young, maybe 4 or 5. I loved Disney movies and the music growing up, so that was a big inspiration for me that first got me singing. A few years later I began playing the piano, and everything just clicked for me. I loved accompanying myself with songs, and it's something I love doing to this day! I'm so grateful for my piano skills, as they've helped me in my songwriting so much.

• Is there a particular type of music or artist that you listen to on a loop without it driving you crazy?

  As a musician, I constantly listen to music on a loop! But I could totally listen to Joni Mitchell all day, every day without getting bored. She is definitely the most eclectic artist I've ever come across, and that's probably why she's my biggest inspiration. You could never get tired of hearing her catalog, simply because of how different every album is!

• Explain to us the most difficult or riveting course you could personally give to a student of music.

  I think one of the most difficult concepts to understand in music is scat singing and how to do it. I have a few students who are passionate about Jazz Music and want to learn how to improvise, so I normally give them different musicians to listen to (both vocal and instrumental) for inspiration, and assignments to transcribe their solos from different jazz standards. We create melodic motifs together and use them in different chord changes and songs to see how easily improvising can be incorporated into everyday singing practice.

• What do you think is the most complicated instrument to master and why?

  I would have to argue that singing is one of the most complicated instruments to master, as it is the only instrument produced solely by our bodies! As vocalists we rely so heavily on our bodies to help us achieve our songs, such as breathing, pitch, vocal stamina, belting or singing soft, and dynamics! It's honestly quite incredible and constantly amazes me how much you can do with the human voice.

• What are your keys to success?

  I call them the "3 P's" - Practice, Pitch, and Performance. Firstly, practice is incredibly vital to becoming a great musician, and great at anything honestly! Consistent practice gives us the ability to see where we need to improve, and work on our repertoire and exercises. The second P stands for Pitch, meaning intonation when singing. I've always been told "pitch over power" and this is what I continually tell my students - as long as the notes you sing are in pitch, they don't need to be lous. Focusing on pitch allows the student to find their own voice without feeling the need to compare themselves to other singers! The final P stands for Performance, and this one is super important! Performance is all about how we "show up" most importantly, for ourselves! Whether you are a nervous performer or a trained veteran, I like my students to envision what story they are trying to tell through the lyrics, your body language or expression and your interpretation of the song!

• Name three musicians you dream of meeting in your favourite bar in the early hours of the morning. Explain why.

  Three musicians I'd most like to meet would have to be Joni Mitchell, Ella Fitzgerald and George Benson, simply because they are some of my biggest musical influences, and they've definitely shaped me into the musician I am today!

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to music or your days at music school.

  Pitch before power! This was something that I learned from my mentor growing up and it's something that has always stuck with me! I always tell my students that pitch is the most important thing when singing your material - and if you can't belt a particular note we can work towards it!

• What are the little touches that make you a Superprof in music?

  I always make an effort to adjust my teaching practices depending on my students, and that's a skill that's taken quite some time to learn! I really love helping my students to reach their potential and find their love for music!