"I've been taking piano lessons with Sean for about a year now, and my wife has been learning from him for a similar length of time. As an adult student with effectively zero prior experience, I couldn't be happier with the progress I've made. Sean is incredibly patient, funny, and always encouraging. What sets him apart is his ability to constantly tweak lessons based on our progress, ensuring that we’re always moving forward without feeling overwhelmed. He also understands that life can get busy and sometimes practice time is limited, and he adjusts his expectations accordingly, which takes a lot of pressure off. His communication skills are excellent, and his flexible approach has been invaluable in accommodating our busy schedules. I’ve already recommended him to friends and others looking to learn piano, and I’ll continue to do so. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to hone your skills, I highly recommend Sean as a piano teacher!" –Paul
"Sean is awesome! He really breaks down the different pieces of music that all work towards becoming a better singer. I really had NO musical knowledge or ability before starting with him and now I’m feeling much more confident. I definitely have a way to go but I’m so glad to be doing it with Sean! And he makes classes fun—what could be better?" –Miriam
"Sean is the piano teacher of my 7-year-old son. Every week they are meeting for a 30-minute piano lesson at our house. Sean makes piano lessons fun for children and at the same time the learning curve is very steep. Sean's communication skills are excellent and he is very well organized. I can highly recommend Sean as a teacher and I am very happy we could contract him." –Johanna
"Sean is an excellent voice coach that will work with you in whatever genre and style you like. Sean provides clear instruction with exercises that will effectively strengthen your tone and breath support, all conducted in a friendly and professional manner. I highly suggest working with this instructor whether you are just beginning singing lessons or need continual professional support." –Gertrude
"Wanted to say I’m noticing SUCH a difference in everything! Never thought I’d like my vocals as much as I have lately and the music theory feels like it’s really locking into place. Still more work to do but THANK YOU!" –Meredith
"Sean is an absolutely wonderful, kind, and gifted voice teacher. He will meet you where you are at as a musician and help you to meet your goal, whether it is to be a professional singer or for personal enrichment. Whatever your age and background, he will help you achieve the vocal quality, performance caliber, and technical skills to not only find joy in singing but to audition successfully for ensembles, musicals, or college programs. I have taken voice lessons from Sean for 5 years. He is prepared at each lesson to make every minute count and does a superb job tailoring the instruction to the individual needs of the student. The lessons are so fun, and I am amazed each time at how much I’ve improved my voice and learned as a musician. Sean helps you feel confident as a performer, not self-conscious. Whether you want to sing classical art songs, Broadway musical tunes, or become a great jazz vocalist and learn jazz scatting techniques, I highly recommend Sean as an instructor!" –Shelly
I’m a music educator, performer, and composer in the San Diego area. I hold a BA from Pomona College, where I majored in Music with concentrations in Musicology and Composition and minored in Physics. Born and raised in Colorado, I fondly recall screaming and crying as my loving parents dragged me to piano lessons and children's chorale. In the almost two decades since, I decided that, actually, music isn’t the worst. Today, I bring an extensive performance background as a vocalist in a wide array of styles, experience as both a concert and collaborative pianist, and an empathetic approach to music making. I offer lessons to students of all ages and musical backgrounds, and take care to deeply customize each student's experience through pedagogically informed approaches. My lessons are a fun and safe place to learn through mistakes (unless you're not into that––scathing admonition available upon request). I invite students to bring in pieces of music that excite them, while contributing my own knowledge of the repertoire. I believe that healthy singing and keyboard fundamentals should be promoted and explored through a variety of musical styles. When not giving lessons, I’m an active singer, composer, and conductor. I’m also a self-taught bodhrán (Irish drum) player. I will lie about whether I like cats or dogs better in order to please everyone. I enjoy sewing, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.
© 2025 Sean MacRae Smith
