Max
PianoSongwritingAudio ProductionComposition
About Max
Max is a laid-back piano teacher with a ton of experience and skill. His students feel lucky they work with him.
He sees teaching as a journey where the teacher not just instructs, but collaborates with their students.
Max is a pianist/keyboardist, composer, producer, and music director based in Los Angeles, CA. He performs a wide variety of music on a regular basis and has played and toured with acts such as Raquel Rodriguez, Mestizo Beat, Anna Dellaria, and Michael Mancuso as well as with famous jazz artists such as Bob Mintzer, Dick Oatts, and Aaron Serfaty. Recently, he was the youngest participant in the jazz category of the 2016 13th UNISA International Piano Competition in Pretoria, South Africa.
Raised in Dallas, Texas, Max went on to attend the University of Southern California where he graduated magna cum laude and earned degrees in Jazz Studies (B.M.) from the Thornton School of Music and Digital Media Arts + Practice (B.A.) from the School of Cinematic Arts. While in school he studied with many notable musicians and instructors including Patrice Rushen, Alan Pasqua, Vince Mendoza, Peter Erskine and Russ Ferrante. His combo, the USC Composers Collective (led by Vince Mendoza), won first place at the 2017 Next Generation Jazz Festival and performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival.
Q&A with Max
Which musician would you like to play with?
Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon
Which musician has influenced you the most?
Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, Stevie Ray Vaughan
What can you teach me better on your instrument than any other teacher?
Working through mental challenges and coming up with an effective practice regimen
How did you learn to play your instrument?
I started taking lessons when I was 5
What equipment do you play on today?
Nord, Korg, Upright piano
Which personal trait helped you the most while practicing?
Persistence and determination
What does your instrument have that others don't?
88 keys!
How do you handle children?
Calmly and respectfully. I am very patient with children and I give them a lot of respect which in turn makes them receptive to learning and paying attention!
What has been your greatest experience as a musician so far?
Traveling around the world and playing music!
Which record would you take with you to the desert island?
Donny Hathaway - Extension Of A Man
Besides music, what else is important in your life?
Spending time in nature
Music style(s)
Jazz, Funk, R&B, Pop, Folk
Level(s) Comfortable Teaching
Age 6 and up
What languages can you teach in?
EnglishSpanish
What's your age?
27
Videos
Bands, Projects, Notable Performances, Collaborations
I have worked with artists such as David Archuleta, Laufey, Maddie Poppe (American Idol winner), Harry Mack, Raquel Rodriguez, Lila Drew, Carter Reeves, Bob Mintzer, Dick Oatts, and Mestizo Beat.