Hello and Welcome!

Resonance Musical Arts (formerly Maheshwari’s Resonance) is excited to share changes that will be coming soon!

A little about us…
Our mission is to deepen people’s connection to music through personalized mentorship & to foster experimentation and growth at all stages of learning.
We are a supportive community of musicians of all ages. Our intention is to create an environment that cultivates curiosity and a joyful exploration of music. Our aim is not to emphasize the pursuit of idealized goals; but rather, to promote a meaningful connection to music.

Music Lessons at Resonance Musical Arts

We offer private lessons in Piano, Flute, Composition, Audio Recording, Electronic Music and teach a range of styles from classical to jazz and beyond.
We work with adults and children ages 7 and up and teach beginner to advanced students.

All new students are invited to have one free 30 minute trial lesson.
All students are invited to participate in Recitals, Workshops, & Group Studio Classes.

Times & Location
Mondays/Tuesdays/Wednesdays/Thursdays/Fridays: 2pm-8:30pm
Saturdays: 9am-4pm
Current Location ~ Near Solano Avenue in Berkeley, California
We are moving in September 2026! New location: 10833 San Pablo Ave in El Cerrito CA
Pricing available upon request.

 

Meet Our Teachers

Brian Shaw - Pianist, Composer, & Teacher

About Brian…
Brian Shaw began his musical studies at age five — first with piano and then many other instruments while always maintaining piano as his primary instrument. Brian Shaw holds a Bachelor of Music degree in classical piano performance, music theory and composition from Northwestern University (now the Bienen School of Music), and has also studied jazz and commercial music at the Berklee College of Music in Boston.

Brian has had diverse musical interests and has worked as a professional musician, composer, arranger, sound designer, and recording engineer in many different genres. Currently Brian performs in jazz ensembles, as a solo pianist for events, and as a collaborative pianist in several choirs, musical theater productions, and orchestras in the greater San Francisco Bay Area.

Reviews for Brian
“Before I met Brian I felt stuck at a level that kept me from playing more challenging pieces. Brian is a wonderful teacher. He is patient and supportive and is a supremely talented musician. His knowledge and love of music is transparent and his teaching includes not only supplying technical solutions to playing problems, but also helps me to understand the musical ideas of a work.” - Loren R., adult student
“Brian has such a calm and gentle way of teaching. He is so patient! He has been teaching me how to improvise and I am starting to understand chords and harmony! I recommend Brian to anyone looking for a teacher who can play and teach many different styles of music!”- M.V., student

Sujatha Maheshwari - Flutist & Teacher

About Sujatha…
Sujatha is a flutist whose musical exploration began with the piano at the age of 7. At age 9 she started playing the flute. Her mentors include renowned flutists Alberto Almarza and Paula Robison, with whom she studied at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. At NEC she received a Bachelor of Music in Classical Flute Performance. In 2024 she released an album of original compositions and improvisations. She plays in solo and chamber ensemble concerts in and around the San Francisco Bay Area.

Her approach to learning flute blends structured tutorials with creative exploration, guiding students to follow the joyful flow of artistic movement and develop their innate musicality.

Reviews for Sujatha
“Sujatha is by far the best music teacher I've ever had. My flute playing is now growing in leaps and bounds. Sujatha's lessons are joyful, enthusiastic, fast-paced, and targeted to just what I need. Despite my amateur abilities, she treats my musical aspirations with deep respect, and challenges me right to the edge of what I’m capable of, so that my playing abilities swiftly grow.” ~ Scott S., adult student
“Sujatha is very kind and patient and has a wonderful energy that my daughter responds to. She seems to really enjoy teaching, which makes all the difference. She also invited us to her recent concert so we got to hear her play and my daughter loved it and was very inspired!”
~ Chloë D., mother of 10 year old student

What to expect in your piano lessons and flute lessons

Whether you are taking a beginner lesson or you are a seasoned musician wishing to enhance your playing, we will work on all the elements of music making, from playing your first notes to the psychological and technical challenges of live performance:

  • Step-by-step development of fundamentals

  • Scales and arpeggios and chords

  • Sight-reading sheet music

  • Improvisation using knowledge of music theory, scales, and functional harmony

  • Mastery of selected pieces to prepare for performance

  • Memorization of selected songs

  • Strategies to remain relaxed and joyful during performances

  • Recordings and playlists of music to train your listening ability

  • Preparing for auditions

  • Performance anxiety

  • Piano students : Posture, hand position, voicing, touch, control, pedaling, dynamics

  • Flute students : Embouchure (adjusting the shape of your mouth against the headjoint to create a good sound), clear sound, vibrato, intonation, fingerings of basic notes to alternate fingerings for the upper register and trills

Areas served for music lessons

Most of our students come from Berkeley, Albany, El Cerrito, Oakland, Richmond, and the greater East Bay community. Click below to contact us about a free first lesson!