Flute Lessons in Great River, NY

Instruments: Flute

While it is a learning environment, I hope for my students to enjoy and love music that they're playing. I believe that you must enjoy the process in order to make or see progress. Therefore, it is extremely important that we set realistic goals for each of their own. Accomplishments help the students and makes them eager to learn more. I like to tailor my teaching to my students' wants and needs and bring in pieces that they're interested in. 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: Saxophone Flute Clarinet Music

I am a graduate of Berklee College of Music, where I completed my degrees in Music Education and Saxophone Performance. During my time at Berklee, I studied notable professors such as Bill Pierce, Shannon LeClaire, Dino Govoni and Jeff Harrington. Additionally, I also completed his Masters degree in Saxophone Performance at Queens College under the direction of Antonio Hart. As of now, I currently reside in New York as both a freelance musician and teacher. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Flute Piccolo

For small children, I used kid-friendly method books provided by the music school I was working with at the time to keep them engaged and entertained. For older children and adults, I simply ask about their prior musical knowledge and the music that they enjoy so we could use that as inspiration. For beginning students, I recommend the Standard of Excellence or Essential Elements which are both great options for the basics of their instruments and both include fingering charts and fingerings for each new note they learn. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Flute Piccolo

The bulk of my experience comes from eleven years of performance, in which I have been exposed to the vast majority of flute literature, ranging from standard solo repertoire, to chamber music (flute ensemble/woodwind quintet/flute quartets), to orchestra masterpieces, and to broadway pit orchestras. During my time at Vassar, I was able to teach four other undergraduate students who could not afford to take lessons through the music department. Read More

Instruments: Flute Piccolo

It is important that when attending private lessons that a student receives individualized instruction geared to their specific level of playing and their musical desires. Because of this, I like to utilize a systematic approach to lessons--each week students work on scales (Major, minor, chormatic), etudes/lesson books, solo repertoire, duet and a piece of choice. Once we've learned all the fundementals, I like to give students the ability to choose their repertiore (with guidance of course!), offering 3-5 examples of possible solo work--but we're always working on a "fun" piece of choice.I believe that engaging students in the selection process of repertoire helps create ownership, especially when practicing.I like to have students set tangible short and long-term goals so that we're always improving during lessons. Read More

Instruments: Flute

When teaching, I start all of my students from the beginning, even if they have experience. The more the student already knows, the quicker we can move. It is extremely important to make sure each student has an very strong foundation and is comfortable with the basics of flute playing. Examples are finger and hand positioning, posture, etc. The language of music theory is used in all lessons as a tool for learning. Read More