Music Lessons in Franklin Square, NY

Instruments: Piano

Firstly, as with anything, I try to get to know my students and their goals. Once I know where they are at, we can devise a plan for particular repertoire to play and particular techniques to master. I'm all about having fun through the process of learning the piano--piano lessons can often be seen as these nervewracking sessions, I prefer to treat my lessons as collaborative explorations where both myself and the student learn more about music-making together. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Ukulele: Piano: Pre-time Primer and Beginning Reading to their Levels I and II popular, kinds songs, classical, and rock n roll. I use Faber Piano Adventures Accelerated Piano Adventures For The Older Beginner Lesson Book 1 and 2 (I used this for two adults too) Piano Adventures: Level 1; 1 2A (lesson, Theory) My First Piano Adventure for the Young Beginner Writing Book A Pre-Reading and Teachers Choice for the Young Pianist Early Grade, by Allan Small, Claire Music Company. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

About 10 years ago I took a brief break from touring and, at a friends insistence, took on a few students. The excitement I would feel as I watched them go from absolute beginners to being proficient and, in some cases, performers themselves is indescribable. I have taught all ages from 6 to giving pro players a few tips and helping them brush up on their techniques. Any opppurtunity to share my knowledge with someone else is always relished. Read More

Instruments: Piano Flute Recorder Piccolo

My favorite thing about teaching is seeing the light in my students eyes in those "aha" moments when simple suggestions open up new possibilities of technique and musical expression.  I offer both Suzuki and traditional style lessons. I believe lessons should be both challenging and fun and seek to find the right balance for each student. It is my job as a teacher to find out how each of my students learn and what inspires them. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga

I believe in encouragement and positive reinforcement at every lesson. I feel that patience is an essential tool in teaching -- every student is unique and proceeds at his or her own pace. I also like to briefly demonstrate the exercises and techniques we are studying, so that my students can see and hear what they are working on, but the student does most of the playing. It gives me great joy when my students are accepted into their school bands and jazz combos as a result of my instruction. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I help the student to focus their mind on what they are doing in the moment in playing the piano piece. This is most important for a student to practice focusing their hand and eye coordination, helping the brain to "think on its feet," and etc. where in focusing this also helps the student to focus on their Math, English, and Science studies in school. For the intermediate and advanced student the same holds as to letting the student learn at their own pace and to focus as I teach them techniques to play more difficult music, and to instruct the student at this level in the knowledge of how to memorize the piece. Read More

Instruments: Flute

Flutist Suzanne Francis received her BA from Kutztown University and a MM from Rutgers Mason Gross School of the Arts. Her principal teachers include Bart Feller, Emily Skala, and Susanna Loewy. She resides in Princeton, NJ performing regularly with the Princeton University ensembles, the Brook Symphony Orchestra, New Jersey Voices Chorale, the Bronx Opera Company, and Berks Sinfonietta. As a founder and Principal Flutist of the Garden State Quintet, she is an advocate for emphasizing the prominence of contemporary music while staying rooted in the foundations set forth by traditional pedagogy. Read More