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Testimonials“'Joel Weber is an excellent accordion teacher. He's very patient and encouraging. He's extremely observant to people's strengths and weaknesses with the instrument and is great at coming up with the exact method that would work best. Also his polka rendition of Outkast's "Hey-Ya" is incredible.” –Tyler C.
“I’ve been taking lessons for more than seven years, and each new one is still fresh and fun. Joel is patient, funny, and interesting. I never feel pressured. He tunes in to what I like and teaches from there. He completely responds to what I want to do, whether’s it’s rembetika, Italian, Balkan, transcribing bouzouki music, or whatever.” –Karen S. "Joel Weber is a kind and patient teacher, and I was grateful for both qualities as I played ‘Vegetables on Parade’ for the 120th time. Teaching accordion is clearly an enjoyable labor of love for Joel and it shows. He went at my pace, encouraging me at every turn, and by the end of my first year of study I was able to play every song in my beginners songbook with great enthusiasm. I highly recommend him to anyone who wishes to play." --Galadrielle, Berkeley "I can highly recommend Joel Weber. He teaches accordion in addition to being one of the directors and teachers at Holden High School, an alternative school in Orinda where the teenagers (and parents and staff!) just adore him! He told me he teaches any musical style...." --Susanne, Kensington, Holden Counselor, in Berkeley Parents Network "I took beginner lessons with Joel for about a year, and it was such a great experience. He is a patient and knowledgeable master accordion player who loves to teach, play, and teach you how to play. I would recommend him to anyone interested not just in learning the instrument, but in learning its history and about the accordion community in the San Francisco Bay area. If you've been putting off trying something new, give him a call." -- Rachael Stryker "He is and amazing and dedicated teacher" -- Marla Sanchez "Joel is great if you are starting out or have some base knowledge of accordion. I went to him with absolutely no knowledge whatsoever of accordion and only some slight idea about music from when I played trumpet as a kid. He is extremely flexible, in that you can spend an entire lesson just talking about aspects of playing accordion or you can play a few songs and get his feedback on what you are doing right or what you are doing wrong. He can make a program where you go through a starting book or you can just tell him, 'hey I really like this type of accordion music' and he can start steering you into that style of playing right after you learn the basics. Really the only thing I can think of as a negative for Joel is that once you reach a certain point he probably can't help you, but if you are at that point you don't really need lessons anyways. He also has a policy, which I don't think he has changed, where you can get one lesson free. So if you are looking to get into the accordion I cannot recommend Joel enough." --Nicholas O'Neill "Joel has been my accordion teacher for several years, and as a learning disabled individual, picking up new skills has always been a challenge. Joel was able to adapt to my learning style in a very kind and helpful way that allowed me to grow and now I can play accordion! It brings a lot of joy to my life and I am very grateful for Joel, I wouldn't want any other teacher." --Olivia May "Joel is a very patient teacher. He has helped me greatly with technique, especially with the bass buttons. He is extremely knowledgable of accordion repertoire of all skill levels and finds the perfect piece for his students to learn. I think of Joel as an encyclopedia of accordion." --Cindy W "Joel is a top-notch instructor. As someone who was new to the music world as well as the accordion, I felt very lucky to find Joel. He tailors the lessons and music to your interests, provides a larger context for your instruction (i.e., discusses music theory and education, invites you to local accordion festivals), and endlessly encourages your practice. He is personable, knowledgeable, supportive, and entertaining. Couldn't imagine a better accordion teacher." --Melinda Noack "Great teacher! Joel is patient and interesting and will take you in any style or direction you want to go. I look forward to his class every week. I've learned so much in such a short time." --Sue Chikes |
