Music Lessons in Akron, NY

Instruments: Saxophone

For beginning students, I usually start with the Rubank Elementary Method. Having established the fundamentals, I like to introduce the student to a series of etudes and more challenging repertoire as the student develops. For adult students, I like to find out what they are intersted in and work from there, but I still stress fundamentals. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I believe that the biggest rewards in life come through the satisfaction that is felt after accomplishing a goal that you have set out to achieve. Everybody is different when it comes to what those goals are but through similar means, we all find our way to some level of success. This is how I approach private instruction. The role of a teacher I believe is that of a guide and mentor. Read More

Instruments: Bass Guitar Double Bass

The methods I work in are very particular for the specific student. I work to cater my teaching to the student rather than the other way around. It really is important to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the individual student to be able to determine what is the best course of action. For early beginners I work with the Simandl book, as well as exercises and etudes that are common such as Sturm, and Petracchi. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I have been teaching students of all ages since high school. While studying at Eastman, I have been responsible for teaching lessons to college-aged students of varying levels and abilities. I have also taught young beginners and older students returning to music. I have found that my wide ranging and diverse knowledge of the piano repertoire helps to engage students and encourages a personal relationship with music. My experiences have taught me the importance of having an adaptable teaching style that changes to help students reach their full potential: It is never enough to simply be a good pianist. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

The first thing a teacher must do is figure out how to motivate a student to practice. This can be done differently for different students. I will list some things that I have found that work. 1) Set a practice schedule/timer/alarm 2) I work on mindset and practice techniques to reduce practice session frustration/anxiety and increase positivity and feel good emotions 3) The student selects songs to practice in addition to scales, lesson book or repertoire 4) Parental support and priority 5) Listening to music outside of lesson 6) Practice one concept at a time 7) Limit faster passages to smaller groups of notes, practice slow with different patterns. 8) more in lesson!....... Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I began teaching electric guitar and bass in high school. My approached involved a degree of a musical philosophy. Sometimes we would go outside and listen to the sounds of the train going by, the wind, the birds, cars etc in an almost meditative approach to learn to appreciate that music is all around us. We catch the musical wind with the sails of our instruments when we improvise. I also taught beginner's upright bass at a music camp. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I think it's important for students to learn from all styles of music; but if they enjoy one style in particular, I believe it's important to study this style with them and help them to improve upon it. I love understanding what makes each individual unique; so I really listen to them and design a curriculum based on their likes; challenging them to appreciate all styles of music; and encouraging them to become fluent in various genres, time periods and methods. Read More