Clarinet Lessons in Upper Holland, PA

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

Mike C, both with vocals and instrumental performance fuses together a combination of classical training, old school jazz, and funk, altogether bringing a creative, and soulful interpretation to music.  Mike's heart and soul penetrates each note he plays in a fashion that is characteristic of performers double his age. At the same time he has brought the advancements of electronic music technology into his performance and composition expanding his sonic palette beyond "one horn, one sound." Mike's recording credits include the independant films "A Cup of Coffee" and "The Masterpiece." He has also performed live with The Crests, Melvin Sparks, in the Bahamas with Barry Newman, and appeared at such festivals as Woodstock, Riverhead Blues Festival, movie premier party for "The Prince of Central Park", The Bayou Music Festival, The Blues 2000 Festival, Lead vocals and saxophone for Pulse Productions, as a frequent performer both in lead vocals and sax at the Trump Casino's in Atlantic City as well as Empire City Casino.  Mike currently holds a Masters degree in Music Education from William Paterson University and is a New Jersey Certified music teacher with 16 years experience  teaching, K-6 band, general music, and chorus, music and movment for Autistic and special service students, as well as High School dance club. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I should start off by saying each student is unique, and since the lessons are one on one, my approach to each student will be unique. That being said, there are certain skill-sets and areas of focus that every student should learn. For complete beginners, I start off with technique. What is good posture? What is good hand position? How do you form a proper embouchure and produce a supported airstream? Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Flute Clarinet Synthesizer Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Oboe Bassoon English Horn Acoustic Guitar

For my beginning piano students, I emphasize the twelve major and minor scales with proper fingering, first one octave and then two octaves. These exercises strengthens fingers and create more familiarity with the keyboard. I use the book, Level 1 The Older Beginner Piano Course by James Bastien and the companion book, Musicianship for the Older Beginner. I have seen results when these books are used in tandem. The student increases in technique and start to master music theory simultaneously. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder

I started mentoring and teaching students when I was in high school. I have been very successful with preparing students for auditions and to get them to the next level with their performance. Many of my students have gone on to study at Manhattan School of Music, Juilliard Preparatory program and Laguardia High School. I have worked as a teaching artist with Brooklyn Conservatory, Midori and Friends, Harlem Children's Zone, Louis Armstrong Foundation, New York Pops, Harlem School of the Arts and Menchey's Music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Keyboard

While my lessons are catered to each individual student, each follows a general curriculum that I have developed over the years through teaching. Method books are a great structured way to quickly get confident on an instrument, however they don't often encourage listening skills or creativity. This is why I structure my lessons around particular method books like Rubank or Faber while providing additional pieces, exercises, and improvising to supplement the book. Read More

Instruments: Clarinet

As a teacher, I know that every student is different and learns differently. So I determine through lessons how each student learns best and set goals that each student can attain weekly. I mark off lines that students pass in their book and give a happy face, or a kind of positive acknowledgement, when he or she passes the whole page. I am very persistent with students and will not breeze over something they really need to know. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Clarinet Bass Guitar Double Bass

I am a graduate of Rowan University, having studied bass with a Jazz Studies degree. I have been playing and studying music starting with piano at the age of 8. In the 4th grade I ventured towards clarinet for the school band and played academically until graduating from high school, after which I continued in a less formal manner. When I was 12 I switched from piano to electric bass and have been playing it ever since in various styles from rock to jazz to classical and so on. Read More