Saxophone Lessons in Castle Hill, NY

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I first ask the student to play so I can hear him/her. After a student plays a short piece of music of their own choosing I can determine what the next step is. Each student has his/her own individual needs. In general though I focus on 3 key elements: 1) Sound quality 2) Technical dexterity (how the fingers deal with the twists and turns of the instrument) 3) Reading Music If a student has a specific genre of music that he/she wants to focus on then I mainly concentrate on that. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I have taught all kinds of topics to all kinds of students and like to accomodate the particular interests of different students. I often find that students should set performance goals even if it is just a performance for friends and family. This helps establish workable milestones in the student's progress. I also like students to help model their own education by studying repertoire that interests them. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums

After graduating from college I joined the Peace Corps. I spent 2 years in Tehran, Iran playing in the Tehran Symphony Orchestra. I returned to the U.S. and went back to school to get my Masters degree. I worked as a music teacher in the Bronx, N.Y. for several years. After that I worked at an electronic music studio in Hawthorne, N.Y. The studio eventually shut down and I began teaching Band at the Stamford Public Schools where I taught music at the elementary, middle and high school levels. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Harmonica

I like to think that I am even-handed with my students: put in the work and show respect, and you will get the same. My teaching style is pretty heavily implied in the above sentence---when the student enters my studio, we will warm up with scales, chords, and modes. Then we will learn whatever new concept we will be learning that day, and finally end the lesson by doing the fun stuff (ie: playing actual songs). Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder Bassoon

My teaching style matches the personality of the student. I can vary my lesson from high energy to calm and sensitive. As an previous elementary school music teacher to 3000 students, I have the ability to read a student and find the most effective way to teach immediately. When it is appropriate, I enjoy teaching in the Orff-Schulwerk approach to music education, which means making music through movement, speech, play, and creativity. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

This helped me find new paths to play my music especially since rap stars started wearing my brand. Because of my celebrity status as a clothing designer I was able to attract upscale Chicago clothier Bigsby and Kruthers who sponsored my Chicago Jazz musical tours. Also, accompanied by the great Chicago poet Malik Yusef, I got a chance to perform with legendary rapper Common on his Album "One Day It Will All Make Sense." In 2001, I was offered a job to teach at the Fashion Institute of Technology (still there). Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Music

I start with assessing the students' capabilities, after which I begin to develop the following areas: Development of their sound; Instrument Technique; Jazz Improvisation and Jazz Language; Theory and Jazz Harmony; Study and Development of Students' Own Repertoire. Depending on the level of the students and their needs, I push certain areas more or less. The key to becoming a successful student is to practice, to develop a good technique, but also to listen to a lot of music to develop the talent for music. Read More