Music Lessons in Ho Ho Kus, NJ

Instruments: Piano Voice Keyboard

My teaching style is very simple, "Give a man a fish, and you'll feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you'll feed him for a lifetime." This is my philosophy of teaching. I am extremely enthusiastic about arts education and passionate about teaching. Ever since I started teaching music with a focus on early childhood music, I have been passionate in my commitment to three things: maximizing individual student performance, inspiring students’ interest in music and technology as well as instilling a sense of self-worth among all students! Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder

I enjoy many different types of music, and am stylistically very versatile. Some of my favorites include Brazilian, Latin, classical, Broadway and musical theater, and popular music. In addition to attending The Berklee College of Music, and completing my degree at SUNY Empire State College, Ive been lucky enough to have studied my instruments and composition with some musical greats like Joe Henderson, Joe Lovano, Jim McNeely, Lyle Mays, and more. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Electric Violin

My teaching method combines aspects of the Suzuki method with my own creative exercises and improvisation. I believe that teaching students to invent melodies and rhythms from early in their musical training deepens their ability to hear and perform. I also believe that rhythmic exercises are not emphasized enough in classical instrumental training, and I incorporate such exercises into my own core curriculum. If a student is interested in improvisation, jazz, or pop music, I offer in-depth instruction to performing over chord changes, and other creative violin techniques like playing chords, chopping, and other percussive tools. Read More

Instruments: Piano

As a teacher I aspire to challenge and engage all of my students in a safe, supportive, and compassionate learning environment. With my energetic, sensitive, and enthusiastic demeanor, I seek to motivate and engage my classroom in teaching methods that reflect the unique and individual needs of each student. As a life longer, I also yearn to consistently grow and evolve as an educator, by embracing new techniques and perspectives. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

I started playing guitar about a month before my twelfth birthday. From the beginning I was highly determined to learn guitar technique and music theory. I enjoy listening to, playing and teaching a wide variety of musical styles. Everything from jazz to rock, to blues, to hip hop, classical, Latin styles and so much more. I'd say at the heart of it all I'm primarily and jazz musician. I love teaching and opening up students to new musical ideas that they may have not yet known. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone

I use the musical methods that work and produce results for the indvidual - without overlooking the need to instill discipline and musical rudiments required for mastery. For brand new brass students, I begin with basics of embouchure formation, in a fun way... using a progression of "free buzzing", mouthpiece playing, ultimately leading to playing on the horn. This will take a few days to a week to establish. The result is a firm foundation and understanding that will last a lifetime. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

Although I grew up with Hal Leonard and the Real Book (and have access to those if need be), I personally do not prefer to use any specific book in my lessons. I like my students to have a blank manuscript notebook with them at every lesson where I can write down scale shapes, chords, notes, and homework each week; this makes it easier to structure things around what they want to learn, rather than what the book wants them to learn. Read More