Luma, Piano
Luma discovered the joy of piano at age four when she could play almost any song she heard by ear. At age nine she dove passionately into private piano lessons and acting that eventually led to a rich professional life of music theatre, concert performance, award-winning composing and teaching music.
Her Hollywood and New York acting experiences include film, TV and theatre along side the likes of Kevin Spacey, Mare Winningham, Michelle Pfeiffer, Ned Beatty and others giving her a strong sense of professional discipline and inspiration. She was composer and musical director for the critically acclaimed rock opera Woman Of Light that was performed in Denver, Colorado and London and received multiple standing ovations.
As a member of the Blue Summerstar band, Luma toured and performed as vocalist, keyboardist, banjo player and songwriter. As composers and recording artists, she and her partner won the International Moondance Film Festival Award for Best Film Score.
Luma studied music theatre and dance at University of California, Northridge and music theory at Jamie Faunt School of Music. Privately she trained with Los Angeles master teachers of piano, music theory and classical technique. Alexander Dmitri from Russia, fourth generation student of Beethoven lineage through Liszt, passed on invaluable expressive piano techniques to Luma which she in turn passes on to all of her students. Helene Mirisch Spear, piano and music master teacher of many celebrities in Los Angeles, actually mentored Luma into becoming a great teacher.
To stay home with her two young sons Luma became a member of MTNA and founded “Kidsmusic” in Los Angles and Boulder, Colorado with her unique fun programs and recitals. She has now been joyfully teaching and coaching all ages for over 28 years in Los Angeles, Colorado, Santa Fe and Tucson. She plays piano, keyboards, harp, banjo, ukulele and sings.
Luma believes that the passion of a student playing what they like to play is the key to them sticking with the due diligence required to see satisfying results. So she skillfully mixes those songs in with lesson books. She uses sight reading techniques as well as encouraging playing by ear. Each student learns differently so that is also considered in the lessons. She pulls songs from classical, pop, rock, Broadway, movie soundtracks and folk songs to create a well-rounded palette of learning. Finger technique, rhythm, music theory, notation and performance skills are all included. Luma has a way with each student to encourage progress and a sense of self-accomplishment through a fun atmosphere of learning. She is delighted to be a part of Allegro School of Music!
