A digital illustration of Tate smiling up into the frame. He is wearing a black button up with light red suspenders and is placed on a bold blue background with an abstract design of thick black lines.

Tate Burks

A San Jose-based musician blending an academic background in music, peer support training, and lived experience to offer adaptive, personalized piano lessons.Dedicated to facilitating artistic growth through the exploration of soundscapes unique to each individual.

I am a musician and educator dedicated to fostering a creative, access-focused environment for learners of all levels. With a Bachelor of Arts in Music and ongoing training as a Peer Support Specialist, I bring a person-centered approach as I step next to my students in their learning processMy work is deeply informed by my academic interests in disabled and queer musicology, where my research writing has focused on the intersections of disability, gender, and popular music.Beyond the piano, my creative practice includes eclectic audio production pieces and queer performance art. Whether I am layering soundscapes in a DAW or exploring the expressive potential of the stage, my work is rooted in the power of embracing our own creative potential.Based in West San Jose, I am currently accepting new students who are looking for a patient, access-forward, and technically grounded approach to the keys.

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Piano Lessons
I offer piano lessons for children and adults who seek a person-centered approach.In the vein of the disability activism slogan "nothing about us without us," I am here to support you with your specific musical goals.After eleven years of classical training, my own evolving access needs showed me how a rigid teaching approach can get in the way of learning, joy, and the creative process. I seek to facilitate an alternative musical learning path to this rigid traditionalism for my students.Available for in-home lessons in the South Bay Area. Contact me with inquiries at [email protected].

For inquiries about lessons or professional collaboration:Email me at [email protected]