Music Lessons in Cortlandt, NY

Instruments: Cello

I'm passionate about starting students as young as three years old. I love cultivating an environment for young ones that both excites them and keeps them learning as much material as possible from the get-go. Young students are incredibly smart and spongey and I love learning from my own students the growth and knowledge that is actually possible to cultivate in young students. I have students ranging from beginner to advanced of all ages, adults are also welcome. Read More

Instruments: Voice

Following this, we'll engage in some singing with scale degrees (numbers) i.e. 1, 1-2-1, 1-2-3-2-1 etc. It's another fun way to work on aural skills. I'll then proceed to take them through some basic foundation building technical scales and repertoire. For Intermediate students, the breathing and technical work is more advanced, I include aural studies like intervals signing and recognition and perhaps modes of major scale then we'll sing through their chosen repertoire. Read More

Instruments: Piano

While my primary focus is performance, I have taught piano since I was 10. My approach is tailored to the individual student. While I love teaching classical repertoire, I use the student's current musical passion -- be it rock, jazz, pop, theater, or classical -- as the key to opening a pathway for artistic development, technical confidence, and understanding. I begin by teaching chord progressions, which permits immediate immersion into theory, technique, improvisational skills, and confidence. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Acoustic Guitar

I only have one aim on why I teach. I want to see my students bring out the best in them, see their strength in their talent, be inspired and motivated, be able to find their own niche and ultimately become better performers. Just seeing them grow in the passion they've chosen is a huge accomplishment for me. I believe that in teaching, I am learning as well. Sharing my passion to someone who is very passionate in their craft inspires me to even teach more. Read More

Instruments: Cello

I started teaching cello lessons 10 years ago in an after school program for 3rd and 4th graders. In this program, I taught music theory and group cello lessons for classes of 4-20 students. Around this time I also started teaching private cello lessons to students who wanted to move at a faster pace than group lessons. Since then I have taught many students of all ages and and levels. Many of my students have started to play the cello with no musical background or knowledge. Read More

Instruments: Piano Bass Guitar Double Bass

I have written several books for the upright and electric bass player that cover all aspects of learning to play the bass. Depending on goals, for most upright players I would recommend a solid grounding in Simandl for learning the hand positions and fingerboard. I also recommend transcribing as well as sight reading and some jazz harmony. All these things are incorporated into my lessons. For electric and upright players I recommend learning tunes, musicianship, technical studies, and maintaining a professional attitude on the gig. Read More