Music Lessons in Essex Fells, NJ

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone

My particular brand of brass pedagogy has roots that trace back to the Chicago Symphony's legendary Bud Herseth. I believe in the pursuit of mastery of many of the basic techniques of brass playing - air movement, flexibility, and tone are the most important pieces of what we do as brass players, and I have collected an arsenal of exercises to build skill in these areas. I use a collection of techniques from a wide range of trumpet players from Ray Mase to Allen Vizzutti to Michael Sachs and will use these approaches to define musical outlook and technique. Read More

Instruments: Flute Piccolo

I began teaching flute privately in 2000, building a flute studio in Buffalo, NY of over 15 members. My students are known for their consistency in rhythm and pitch, along with their love of flute. I encourage all students to enter competitions and attend performances and masterclasses, which motivates students and encourages them to seek their own creative outlets. I've found that through combining not only flute fundamentals, but music theory, singing and movement, I have had a higher success rate for continued improvement with my students. Read More

Instruments: Piano Bass Guitar Double Bass Keyboard

Over 15 years of teaching experience (including being a professor of a music academy), touring, performing at major venues and festivals, recording and leading my own projects. I employ healthy and efficient practicing and teaching technique through relaxation, gradual learning and individual approach. The lessons may also include theory, analysis, basic or advanced composition and many other aspects depending on the student's needs and abilities. The main goal is that my students are able to get fully engaged in the process of learning and enjoy every minute of it! Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I have been teaching privately since 2002. I have guest lectured at Manhattan School of Music, University of Toronto, Humber College, and have given clinics at numerous high schools and colleges in Canada and the United States. I have also taught at seven different music camps. Read More

Instruments: Drums

For beginning students I believe in building a solid foundation in technique and appreciation for the drum set. This is something that I try to move through fairly quickly as to help the student progress to material that they are interested in. From there we will continue to build their foundation, but by learning from material that they have brought in. From there I believe that one of the most important things a teacher can do for a student is to expose them to materials that they otherwise would not have access to. Read More

Instruments: Piano Accordion

I set realistic goals for my students at each lesson. I like to demonstrate how to play- usually I count while the student plays, which helps with the beats. We may sing together or separate the note names or the song words. Every music phase requires different input. Students who struggle with note reading, get additional note reading and writing books. Depending on music difficulty, I prefer to learn the right hand melody first, then left hand. Read More

Instruments: Voice

I always provide my students with recordings of the exercises we do in class, so that they can practice during the week. I constantly show images of the vocal instrument, Its really important for the student to understand their mechanism, and when teaching young people I share the same information but using a more digestible vocabular. For the songs, whenever its possible, we use the music score, so that I can introduce music theory little by little. Read More