Music Lessons in Fort Greene, NY

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Bass Guitar Synthesizer Accordion Ukulele Euphonium French Horn Tuba Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My pedagogy is based on the American jazz tradition and the teachings of Orff and Kodaly. I like to impart a holistic love of music in my students, without boring them with too much history or theory. However, it is my belief that theory and musical literacy will open doors to a greater level of fulfillment and understanding of music as a whole. The materials I use vary from student to student and from instrument to instrument, depending on each student's goals and progress. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

Every lesson begins with vocal warm ups and breathing exercises, the importance of which can't be understated. Just as athletes wouldn't take the field without stretching, singers should never sing without giving their voice time to warm up. Warming up also serves as an excellent way for Jon to gauge student progress and make sure they are vocally healthy. After warm-ups, we move on to song study. Students and I work together to pick out the best songs for their particular voice. Read More

Instruments: Violin

As a teacher, my goal is to give students the technical tools and sensitivity of listening necessary to freely express themselves through the violin, no matter what level they may be. Much of my system of teaching has been passed down from my mentor Li Lin, who masterfully taught hundreds of young violinists of all ages in San Francisco before being appointed faculty at The Juilliard School. His approach (and mine) combines the systematic technical discipline of the Russian violin school with the nurturing and personalized care for each individual student of the late pedagogue Dorothy DeLay. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

In-demand NY session musician, teacher, and musical director Pete O has studied with many of the world’s top bass players. In addition to his independent studies at Berklee Music school, Pete has had the pleasure of studying with industry legends such as Victor Wooten, Chuck Rainey, Anthony Wellington, Adam Nitti, and Matt Garrison. Pete’s highlights include opening the Gathering of the Vibes festival in upstate New York, featuring James Brown, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Gov’t Mule, and the Allman Brothers. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

I consider my teaching style to be comprised of two major components - physical and mental. The physical component includes things like picking, strumming, finger strength, finger dexterity, and left hand/right hand coordination. For this, I provide a variety of exercises which do not necessarily require musical knowledge. These can be taught at any time, but are especially valuable early in a student's learning path. They are also effective warm-up exercises before practice and before performances. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin

I always enjoyed performing, yet I fell in love with teaching very early, at the age of sixteen. A professor asked me to give a lesson to a fellow student of mine. A week after, the teacher called, saying that she could not recognize her student’s playing. The feeling of being able to make an impact was sensational. Teaching immediately became a crucial part of my professional activities. To successfully teach the art of performance practice, one needs a systemized knowledge of the technical basics and constant improvement of the ways of practicing. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I believe in keeping the lessons very interactive by making sure that it is not just the student playing/singing. I keep the lesson flowing from one activity, or song, to the next by using a common goal throughout the lesson. I make a goal for each lesson known to the student so that the student can feel successful and accomplished at the end of every lesson. Read More