Music Lessons in Floral Park, NY

Instruments: Voice

I have a set of vocalises that I have comprised throughout the years. They begin with simple breathing exercises and hums to enable the student to connect to their breath, and move to more intricate scales and arpeggios to develop a strong, even tone. I choose repertoire that students truly enjoy to sing, as I have found that they will make great progress while practicing a song they love. When teaching children, I keep lessons simple and fun, while assigning exercises that they enjoy. Read More

Instruments: Piano Organ Synthesizer

I have been teaching beginning to intermediate piano students since I began my conservatory training. I am currently teaching piano and ear training pedagogy as part of my doctoral studies at the Manhattan School of Music. I admit that I instinctively rebelled against the hypercompetitive structure of the music conservatories, and focused instead on composition. I found that sidestepping this most stressful performance environment allowed me to keep my love of just playing intact. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet

Here are the things that I want to impart to my piano students in their first 10 weeks of lessons: That I love music and I love teaching them That music lessons are creative and exploratory That creating music is fun and easy That music can tell stories That music is more than pushing down keys That music is art and involves dynamics, speed, feeling, etc. That singing and moving to music is just a part of how we do things in music education That playing the piano the right way (ie. with the right technique) is really important The importance of understanding, feeling and moving to meter (duple/triple) The concept of home, tonic/dominant tonalities and being able to hear and create bass lines That music is made up of chords, patterns, and melodies That they can transpose music into different keys I use Alfred Piano Method, it also dives into intervallic reading, as described above. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Clarinet Drums Recorder Euphonium Tuba Keyboard

Although it is important that my students progress at their own pace, I suggest practicing as many 20 minute sessions possible daily, for research has shown that the mind can concentrate most clearly for that length of time. My lessons include Music Theory, Ear Training and Rhythmic Studies in order to save lots of time, by nurturing excellent Musicianship, in addition to learning the instrument, through practicing correctly. I am also an expert at introducing correct playing habits, by instructing students with regards to proper embouchure, breathing and Circular Breathing techniques, as necessary. Read More

Instruments: Drums Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

I firmly believe that, as a professional musician, it is obligatory to teach and pass on the knowledge of your craft to others who are seeking the knowledge. I have been a full time performing artist my entire working adult life (since 1995). I have traveled the world performing with artists in the worlds of Jazz, Afro-Cuban, Rock, and even EDM. I’m one of the lucky few who have been able to support a family as a professional working musician. Read More

Instruments: Clarinet

I take a different approach with each student based on their learning needs and goals. The student and I (and parent when appropriate) will regularly speak about their goals and aspirations, as well as discuss both long- and short-term plans. All students will study scales, intervallic leaps, and learn base-level physics about the clarinet and its partials. Specifics and means of learning will vary student-to-student based on past knowledge and needs. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I've taught private lessons in the New York area for 15 years. Over years of touring internationally, I've been involved with running workshops on Eastern European music at festivals and cultural centers. And, while working on my master's degree at Queens College, I founded and directed the Queens College Balkan Music Ensemble, devising a curriculum for students that had no familiarity with Balkan music. Read More