Clarinet Lessons in Searingtown, NY

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: Piano Saxophone Clarinet

I started teaching music in college through my babysitting network. When the mothers and fathers of the children I cared for found out that I played piano and woodwinds, many of them asked if I would also give their kids private lessons. Having a knack with kids and with music, my music teaching practice quickly blossomed in that small town. I have found that while it's important to keep kids sharp in their ability to read music on the page, it is at least as important to engage their creativity off the page. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I would best describe my teaching style as "Learn how to have fun playing music, simply." I am thankful for being blessed with an ability to hear how my student plays and quickly and accurately prescribe a simple fix to get over hurdles. Sometimes all it takes is looking at things a different way to realize something and clear up confusion. Just like in life, sometimes with music all it takes is your teacher saying something a different way or helping you look at the music from a different angle. Read More

Instruments: Clarinet Acoustic Guitar

I am very musically and artistically motivated in most aspects of my life. I also work in film and theatre. I graduated from high school in Texas in 2011 where I maintained a status of one of the best high school clarinet players in the state. I went to college for undergraduate and graduate degrees in theatre, but I continued to take music lessons and play in various groups. I love sharing my experience with those who are eager to learn and find joy in the process of learning an instrument. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I began teaching private lessons eight years ago during college. By the end of 2015 I had a studio of over 30 students. I tend to focus on developing a student's sound concept first, so that they can get a beautiful sound out of the instrument at an early age. I also encourage students to play ear-training games and develop an independent melodic sensibility early on. My students have excelled in audition-only honor's ensembles, All-State Bands, band assessments, and some have even written their own songs and performed in recitals. Read More

Instruments: Piano Clarinet

For all of my students, regardless of level, playing together in lessons is a big part of my teaching method. Playing together in lessons fosters intonation, musical commutation skills and sound blending. For beginning students, I work a lot on sound production and tonguing through progressive etudes and duets. I incorporate performance environments early into my curriculum. For older students, I explore fundamentals through advanced etudes and work on solo repertoire, chamber music and orchestral excerpts. Read More