Guitar Lessons in Bloomfield, NJ

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I usually start by assessing my student's current level. If my student is a complete beginner, I have a tried and true method of getting them started quickly. Once the student has mastered the fundamentals, I will present additional exercises and songs to work on. For students that are already experienced players, I create a lesson plan that matches their level and their goals. Usually, I work on songs, incorporate technique and music theory exercises, and do not just learn them boringly. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Synthesizer Mandolin Lute Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

As a musician, educator, and researcher, I explore how music serves as a portal to the human experience. From my first garage band to playing at Carnegie Hall, my life as a musician has taken me to concert venues all over the world and through the hallowed halls of some of our most venerable institutions of learning. However, my driving motivation to live a musical life comes from the sharing and exploration of musical knowledge. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Saxophone Ukulele Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I create my own lesson plans based off of the individual student. For voice students, we usually warm up, do technical exercises working on varying registers and techniques, and then work on repertoire. I often find the passages in a particular song that the student is struggling with and focus in on those, finding exercises to guide the student. For instrumental students, I work on a lot of music theory and reading, for students of all levels and ages. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

I have found that a simultaneous combination of book-guided learning and practical application is often most enjoyable for a student (and teacher). Learning the fundamentals is certainly important. Using this knowledge to learn pieces of songs and understand how the songs are constructed keeps things fresh for the student and reinforces the lessons better than book learning alone. I typically start beginners with the Mel Bay series of guitar instruction books. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar

I typically like to start lessons with a warm up, and this is a good opportunity to see what level a student's technique is at. I immediately address anything that I see to be problematic in the student's technique, and we start working on ways to improve it as soon as possible. These can be simple exercises and when I see that my students are improving in these exercises and that their technique has gotten better, I always make sure that they also notice the difference and give them a sense of accomplishment. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Synthesizer Music Keyboard

I have been a music educator for over fourteen years. Most recently, I was Artist-in-Residence & Director of Contemporary Music at Pomfret School, and independent boarding & day school in Connecticut. I left the school in June, 2018 in order to explore new professional opportunities, and to be closer to my creative network in New York. I love working with students of all ages as they work to realize their own musical vision! Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Synthesizer Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Acoustic Guitar

I have taught since I was in college. I regularly taught music theory and piano to non keyboardists at the special music school. In addition I have worked with students of all backgrounds. Some want to learn how to record a song, some want to play a song they love, some just want to make great music and I help students achieve all of these goals. I have performed at Carnegie Hall and at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington DC. Read More