Flute Lessons in Hawthorne, NY

Instruments: Flute Piccolo

For beginning students, I start with the Douglas Steensland Flute Student books. For intermediate and advanced students, I focus on memorization of scales in addition to working out of Taffanel and Gaubert's 17 Daily Exercises, etude books (i.e., Melodious and Progressive series), and standard flute repertoire. My goal as a teacher is to help the students improve their overall musicianship, while also addressing each students personal goals. While I have listed books I work out of with students, I am always interested in hearing what the student would like to play and work on those pieces/songs as well. Read More

Instruments: Flute

I focus on the individual more than anything else. I tailor my teaching style to each student.  When something clicks for them, I stick with it and adapt to keep the student engaged, interested, and passionate about music.  If I find a student is not fond of a certain book or solo, we change course together. Sharing my passion for music is very important to me, and being able to do so with students is incredibly rewarding to both parties.  I always go at whatever pace the student is comfortable with to keep their success rates high. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums

I have created my own method of teaching which I have perfected over the years. I create my own exercises and practice materials based on the level and interests of each individual student. I use the software program "Finale" in order to create the musical compositions that I prepare for my students. I always accompany my students on the piano. I am well versed in the various styles of music and am comfortable teaching students how to improvise also. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet Piccolo Oboe

Depending on the individual needs goals of each student, I will customize lesson plans on a week-to-week basis. If there are no immediate goals for my students, I prefer to focus on classical technique and tone exercises that I compile through a variety of method books for each woodwind instrument. This includes but is not limited to: Moyse, Kroepsch, Baermann, Ferling, Shaw, Filas, Lacour, and many others. Classical technique is boring however, and I also believe that it should be applied towards learning real music that I will tailor to each student! Read More

Instruments: Flute Recorder Piccolo

I use different method books, depending on the student's age and past experience (if any). I particularly like the Alfred methods, but I supplement this with solo books and duets. For duets, I like the Alfred Learn to Play Duets, but also the Selected Duets (Rubank) series. I think it's very important for any student to play solos with piano and once students know a few notes, there are really nice pieces they can do. 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 Voice Saxophone Flute Recorder Piccolo Music

I believe that every performer not only has the responsibility to execute challenging repertoire for the benefit of the listeners but in the same way we as students were inspired and instructed then it is only right to give back and pour into others lives the way we have been instructed too and poured into. I graduated from Nyack College School of Music with my Bachelors in Flute Performance and a minor in Vocal Performance. Read More