Music Lessons in Berkeley Heights, NJ

Instruments: Piano

As a music teacher, my goal is to cultivate a warm and welcoming learning environment. I celebrate students' achievements to instill a sense of pride, setting goals based on their abilities and interests. I also encourage ongoing learning beyond our lessons by prompting students to explore music independently. Recognizing each student's preferences is integral to my teaching approach, whether it involves a specific music genre, a favorite artist, or a desire to create their own music. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I believe a strong working knowledge of rudiments is fundamental to establishing good hand technique. I create arrangements combining rudiments to promote memorization and musicality. In addition, I teach four way coordination exercises, to develop bass drum consistency and promote general coordination skills. Students will also be introduced to different types of drum fills that progress into more challenging combinations using both hands and feet. Once a basic foundation in technique is established the student will be introduced to new music styles using pre-recorded play along tracks. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet

My teaching approach focuses heavily on the fundamentals of the instrument and its relationship to Music... All students are different so I tend to approach slowly and access their reactions to my suggestions. It is so important not to make a student feel pressured to achieve, especially in Music... I want their interest and will to excel to be their own personal choice and quest. I think it is important for students to feel supported by their teacher as I will make myself as accessible as possible to answer any question or instill inspiring words to motivate their progress. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Music

I love when my students play songs they love, so I often make my own arrangements of those songs to make them approachable for the student. For my voice students, I also follow a similar method. We work on breathing, alexander technique, body awareness, yoga, music theory, solfege and acting. We develop healthy vocal habits and explore different vocal methods depending on student interests. I teach all styles and my focus is to help my students expand and develop their unique voice while staying healthy and having fun. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet

For all beginning students, I like to start out with buzzing exercises and embouchure technique. This is the most fundamental part of brass playing. Having a strong foundation in creating a sound consistently and efficiently makes learning everything else about brass playing infinitely easier. For this, I use the Arban method book and the "Buzzing Book" by James Thompson. Once these fundamentals start to become comfortable, I like to introduce some simple songs to apply the new techniques to. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Double Bass Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I have a variety of books I use for beginning students, depending on age and level, including the Alfred guitar book for kids. Regardless of level, I always help students learn some music they are already interested in, as that is a key path to enjoying both the pure joy of music itself and the delight of learning something you didn't know you could do. Another important pathway that I explore with students, earlier or later depending on the student, is to begin to learn to improvise and compose their own music. Read More