Ron Levy has worked with many notable names in the musical world, including multiple Grammy-winner Paul Williams, Ray Charles protege Ellis Hall, the great Barbara Morrison, and the legendary Thelma Jones. In addition to his work as a record producer and keyboardist, Levy is an avid composer of classical concert music. The Los Angeles Times described his film scoring work as "notable", and The Orange County Register described Mr. Levy’s orchestral tone poem “Modigliani’s Arm” as “sweet … lilting … memorable”. Ron studied piano with Edward Auer in Los Angeles and with Nina Scolnik in Irvine. He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in music composition from UCLA where he taught courses in counterpoint and musicianship skills. As a counterbalance to his myriad musical activities Ron also creates visual art, takes long walks on the beach, and enjoys street tacos and fine wine.
TEACHING
I find great fulfillment in passing on my knowledge to willing students. I asked two of my students to comment on their study experience:
Michael Sharman – 3/14/14
I've had the good fortune of being a student of Ron Levy's for the past 6 months. I'm amazed at the progress I've made in this short period of time. Ron's teaching has given me that jump-start I was looking for in my quest for keyboard proficiency with this wonderful American Classical Music (Jazz).
After raising a family and spending 30 years in the Telecommunications Industry I retired....turned in my badge....and was now ready to do what I "really wanted to do" pursue a life-long dream of playing Jazz piano (to my way of thinking this was the whole point of a career and ultimately retirement). I had worked hard and now it was my time to play. I quickly realized that I would need a catalyst to augment the College classes and in-depth theory studies I had undertaken. My catalyst was to be private lessons. I asked for a recommendation from my Professors and Ron was mentioned by several of the Professors. I contacted Ron and he agreed to take me on.
I told Ron that a worthy 1st goal would be to get to a point in my playing where I would be asked to solo at my Jazz Improv Class Performance. I gave myself a year to achieve this. Under Ron's guidance I was selected to solo and it happened within one month of working with him. The good news is that my growth continues exponentially.... as is my love for this great American art form. As a side note I've also been asked to join a combo and we're actually starting to get some jobs. I'm having the time of my life.
The next goal is to get to the point in my playing that I would feel comfortable getting up with quality musicians and not embarrassing myself.
Ron's a great teacher.....motivator.....mentor......and he's a nice guy. He's also one of the best musicians around.
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Leonard Peikoff – 4/8/13
I have studied jazz piano under Ron for quite a while, and I am happy with the whole experience.
Unlike some teachers, Ron monitors, and if necessary, corrects every aspect of your playing, sometimes a bar at a time—not only melody, but also harmony, rhythm, dynamics, expressiveness. In doing so, he takes into account your knowledge and ability. Since I was very rusty after decades of having left the piano, he adjusted our classes to my capacity and thus brought about a slow but real progress. So I was neither depressed by my playing, nor overwhelmed by difficulty. At each lesson he managed to inspire me to go home and keep at it.
Ron is a kind man, but at the same time does not accept any sloppy form of “self-expression,” asking instead for precision—on the basis of which he encourages imaginative improvisation. He is so kind (or old-fashioned) that he walks you to your car at the end of the lesson.
I am astonished by Ron’s own ability to play jazz and especially to improvise. Time and again, I ask him what I should do to fill a long rest, and he sits down and plays a beautiful cadenza of exactly the right number of beats. At first, I asked him when he had written it; he told me that he had never written it, he just sat down and played it. When I asked if he could play it again he often said: no, his fingers and musical sense do it, not any verbalized or memorized plan.
My aim is to reach that stage, and under Ron it might be possible.