Early Study

As a child, Mr. Cutter had only six months of piano lessons, The unusual part of his early years began at age eighteen when he started learning songs by ear without any lessons. He was accepted as a piano major for a 2nd Bachelor's Degree program at the California State University at Northridge. At the time, this school was ranked in the top twenty of all music schools in the United States and it had a strong emphasis on performance. Weekly piano lessons with Dr. Sandra Bostrom, a Juillard trained pianist who studied under Rosina Lhevinne, led to end of semester, juried performances.
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In addition to the standard piano repertoire, Mr. Cutter studied classical theory, counterpoint and music history. He made rapid progress by engaging a separate ear training teacher and after a couple of years, hiring a third teacher specializing in jazz piano. Additional college subjects included jazz improvisation and big band arranging with Ladd Mcintosh.
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Mr. Cutter left Northridge to go on tour with a working band. Upon returning to Los Angeles, he continued to work with a variety of ensembles in Southern California.

Maturation

Mr. Cutter became a classroom teacher at the high school level while continuing his jazz education, He went on to spend over twenty years studying jazz with legendary studio pianist Terry Trotter. David has performed both classical music and jazz regularly at many venues around Los Angeles, accompanied dinner theater and improvisational comedy groups. He has been a solo pianist at many hotels including the Los Angeles Biltmore and the Westin in Pasadena.
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"I have found much joy, contemplation, mystery and satisfaction from the piano. It is truly an amazing instrument."
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Mr. Cutter's twenty years of classroom teaching experience gives him the experience to know how to listen to a student, how to assess what is needed and how to quickly respond to the learning opportunity with the right lesson. He has also written educational courses during his career, most recently, a piano appreciation course for the Pasadena Senior Center.
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In his private piano teaching studio, Mr. Cutter uses his creative problem solving skills to motivate students, particularly when they hit road blocks. He is open and flexible about how to work with each person, always starting with where the student is at. That way he discovers what works for a particular student and customizes lessons accordingly.

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It's all coming together now!

Mr. Cutter has been intensively studying classical piano repertoire utilizing The Well Prepared Pianist piano study composed by International Steinway Artist N. Jane Tan. He had the opportunity to take individual piano lessons directly with Professor N. Jane Tan for almost three years. The result has been a transformation of his performance abilities.
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"Returning to classical study felt like I got a second childhood. I was able to 'wipe the slate clean, losing old habits and learning how to move my wrists and the rest of my body in sync with my breath. Now I can play with a range of tone and an economy of motion that works like magic."
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After concluding his study with Professor Tan, daily practice has allowed him to assimilate the lessons learned. and to learn new repertoire. Mr. Cutter has dedicated himself to preserving the knowledge of how to play the piano and the oral tradition that's come down from many teachers to the present. He also mentors other piano teachers who want to learn this way of playing.
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Mr. Cutter currently teaches out of his studios in Pasadena and is a member of the Pasadena Branch of the Music Teachers Association of California. He also directs Team Piano ensembles in a special ensemble studio with five acoustic pianos. These are student piano ensembles that perform twice a year. He also continues to perform at public and private venues around Los Angeles. These performances also play a role for student performers. Depending on the venue, Mr. Cutter will invite students to perform thus providing these students with a wide array of performance opportunities.

"David Cutter is the best piano teacher in the San Gabriel Valley! I love the piano teams. He is very compassionate, caring and motivated to make you successful as a pianist."

-Norman Dupon, Pasadena, California

"We love Mr. David! He has such a warm nature with piano instruction, and a real love for his craft."

-Elizabeth N. Pasadena, CA

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