Flute Lessons in Soho, NY

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Flute Synthesizer Keyboard

My teaching style is a mixture of a relaxed, conversational feel combined with strong focus. I will constantly insist on stern focus on the material being played- offering big picture ideas as to why a piece is being practiced in a certain way, while asking the student to tell me why such and such a method makes sense. Very small mistakes in the music will be cause to stop and refocus. Read More

Instruments: Flute Piccolo

As of May 2018, I am a graduate of Millersville University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education. I fell in love with music at a young age, and I fell in love with teaching when I was in high school. When I attended college, I realized how much I loved learning to play expressively as a soloist, as well as in various ensembles. I've been involved with concert bands, wind ensembles, marching bands, orchestras, musical pit orchestras, and flute choirs. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Piccolo

Effectiveness is key when practicing so I have always encouraged multiple practice sessions a day but smaller amounts of time (15-20 minutes) so that you can really improve and see changes in your playing and musicality. This also helps keep the student from becoming frustrated and developing a negative relationship with the piece, practicing, or music in general. I would like to assist and encourage my students to enter contests, recitals, and NYSSMA as well as compose their own material so they can stay motivated and feel accomplished while challenging themselves. 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: Piano Flute

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire appropriate for their first recital performance. For adults, I try to find out what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and fun, no matter their ability level. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Keyboard

I typically tailor my lesson plans to the needs of the student. In general, I will allocate appropriate Etudes, Scales, and Repertoire that is inline with their abilities and the standards of their particular instrument. If they are preparing for an upcoming performance or audition, that may take precedent. But I also think there is equal need for unstructured time that allows students to explore music as a creativity medium via music listening, exploratory exercises, improvisation, or even composition. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

My first student was a NYC firefighter that I met in October 2001 right after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He was looking for a way to distract himself from the experience that he had gone through. Working with him and seeing how simply playing a note on the saxophone changed his vibe and relaxed him, I realized that music truly heals. Since then, my approach has been to get to know my student well and discover how I can help them enjoy the learning process. Read More