Clarinet Lessons in Demarest, NJ

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Piccolo

Most importantly, we are all here to have fun and enjoy playing music.  I always encourage my students to take risks, have a laugh and ask questions.  I work to build the student's confidence in their playing, ability to practice well, ability to perform in public and ability to be comfortable making mistakes.  We all progress at various rates and progress at any level is an accomplishment that each student should be proud to achieve.  If a student or parent of a student expresses their interested to move forward in a serious capacity, I am more than happy to encourage such movement. Read More

Instruments: Clarinet

I strive to maintain a fun stress free environment in my lessons. I want my students to feel comfortable making mistakes because with each mistake is an opportunity to learn a new concept or fix an underlying problem. I also encourage students to suggest material to be played or worked on during lessons. I've found that if my students are working on music that they choose to play, they have more motivation and it's more fun. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet Music

I started playing in the 4th grade. I played in RB bands in high school and enrolled at Berklee College of Music where I have a Bachelor Degree in Composition. I also studied privately with Charles Banacos (increible piano and jazz teacher), Jerry Bergonzi, Joe Viola, Joe Allard ( whose Saxophone methods I teach, who was the teacher of every major saxophone player in his day including Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, Michael Brecker, and countless others ) , learned circle breathing from Rahsaan Roland Kirk, recorded 2 albums at Grammavision with Al Macdowell (Bass player for 40 years with Ornette Coleman). recodered and learned as much as I could grasp from Don Cherry and Ornette. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Euphonium Tuba

For beginning students, I like to start them on the Hal Leonard Essential Elements. I believe it moves at the proper pacing for young children. For intermediate students, Accent on Achievement works well because I find the music is more challenging. Also I require older students to know scales, primarily Bb, Eb, and F major being that they are the easiest to learn. It is from there that I gradually add a new scale (one every few weeks) until ultimately all 12 major scales are learned. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder Music Keyboard

After graduating from college, I began teaching privately in my home state of Texas at the middle and high school levels in New Braunfels and Austin. Soon, I began teaching adults as well and when I moved to Washington D.C. in fall of 2006, I became the Music Instructor at The Art and Drama Therapy Institute, a center for adults with developmental disabilities. This experience had a great impact on me in terms of understanding the big picture in that the goals and methods relating to the technical aspects of music lessons, but the grand value that music offers in terms of the emotional and spiritual rewards as well. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

For beginning students who are children, I like to start with either the Rubank Elementary Method or Hal Leonard's Essential Elements, as I find these provide a strong foundation in proper technique and sound, and reading music. As we move through this method, I will introduce exercises to help the student further develop a good sound on their instrument. At the same time, we will also begin to play solo and duet repertoire. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

He spent his formative years as a classical cellist and picked up jazz saxophone at age 15. Since 15, he has been primarily a saxophone player and music producer, with a passion for the progression of Black American Music. He has toured with both Bobby Watson and Bobby Broom and performed with artists such as Sean Jones, Tim Green, Brandon Woody, Fredrick Sanders, Frank Lacy, Ameen Saleem, Quincy Phillips, Kris Funn, Marshall Gilkes, and Christian McBride. Read More