We would like to welcome John P. from South Pasadena, CA to the MyTennisLessons team. We pride ourselves on bringing on not only quality instructors, but quality people as well, which is why we are so excited to have John on board. If you live in South Pasadena, CA review John qualifications, teaching experience, and hobbies below to see if they would be the right pro for you. Again, we are happy to expand our tennis lesson services in South Pasadena, CA with the addition of John. Sign up with John P. today!
About John
Tennis and music are two of my passions. Originally from Grand Rapids, Mi, I grew up taking tennis lessons through the park district. After receiving a scholarship from the Grand Rapids tennis patrons at 11 years old, I was able to continue my lessons at the Grand Rapids Racquet Club where I learned from many great teachers, including Mike Woody. In high school, I played Varsity tennis for four years and was the only Freshmen on the Varsity team. I went undefeated (23-0) my Junior year. I received a tennis scholarship to Aquinas College where I played on the team for two years, going to Nationals in my second year there. Throughout high school and college, I taught tennis at Martin Luther King Park, the same park where I took lessons as a junior. Because music was also a passion of mine, I decided to transfer to Roosevelt University in Chicago to study Jazz Piano/Voice. I ended up getting my Bachelors in Music there in 1999. Throughout my schooling in Chicago, I spent the
summers teaching tennis at the Saddle and Cycle Club as well as for the Chicago Parks District. I took my USPTR certification test at Midtown Tennis Club in Chicago, and was given a Professional rating by adjudicator, A.J. Pant. In 2001, I moved to LA to pursue a career in music and was signed to a record label called MAXJAZZ. Since then, I’ve recorded three CDs with them, and am currently working on my fourth. When I first moved to LA, I taught tennis for the “Stretch and Grow” sports program. But quickly music took over my life, and I had to put tennis teaching on the back burner for a while. Even though I wasn’t teaching tennis anymore, I was still playing weekly, and loving the sport. I am currently working as an Adjunct music teacher at both Azusa Pacific, and Cal State Fullerton Universities. I am looking to get back into tennis teaching during the summers while I have more time off from school. I love to teach, and people have commented on how well they say that I t
each in both music and tennis. I’d love to work with you!
Teaching Experience: 6 years
Teaching Style
My teaching style is fun, informative, and will keep you moving! I like to start each lesson with warmups, stretching, and brief cardio. Then I like to start up at the net with mini tennis to work on getting the body moving. We then move back to the baseline, and work on ground strokes. Because I was a doubles player in college, my strengths are volleying, serve and volley, and playing strategy. I like to have my students hitting a lot of balls, and also give feedback on stroke improvement.
Hobbies
Besides tennis, my other love is MUSIC! I am a recording artist, jazz pianist, vocalist, educator, and composer. I’ve worked with many well-known singers including Natalie Cole, Melissa Manchester, and Michael Feinstein. As an adjunct music teacher at two local universities, I have a lot of experience in teaching in general, and bring those organizational skills to my tennis teaching as well.
