Music Lessons in Garfield, NJ

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Flute Clarinet Ukulele Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My teaching experience dates back to my high school days, as I rose to become section leader of the clarinet section in band and section leader of the alto section in choir. Since then, I have been teaching private lessons to students of all different ages and skill levels, as well as individuals with disabilities. Encouraging practice schedules and routine is something I like to emphasize in younger students. I aim to bring my students individual musical interests into our class as that tends to keep them more engaged. Read More

Instruments: Drums Latin Percussion

I have been teaching drums privately for about ten years. I have toured extensively, nationally and internationally. Select Television Appearances: Good Morning America, Good Day New York, The View, Good Day Texas, Cornerstone, TBN, NPR, The Engadget Show, TEDx San Francisco. Worked with artists: Alex Ray Joel (Billy Joel), Cass Dillon, Disney's "Lemonade Mouth" (Bridget Mendler, Adam Hicks), Alex Winston, Sandra Bernhard, Natasha Owens (toured/opened for Michael W. Smith, Jason Crabb. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

As a Saxophonist and Clarinetist I prescribe to the Joe Allard method of embouchure and technique that has been codified and popularized by saxophone master and pedagog, Dave Liebman, from whom I have taken countless classes. For my classical students, I like to use the Rubank method books. For more advanced students, I am a huge fan of the Rose Studies for Clarinet and the Ferling studies for Saxophone. Both of these books not only provide great etudes for technique but also are great studies in musicality, theory and interpretation. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Music Keyboard

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with Music Tree and Basien beginning piano. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire appropriate for their first recital performance. For adults, I try to find out what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and enjoyable, no matter their ability level. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

Since I began learning piano, my cousins would ask me to show them what I had learned in my latest lesson and attempt to teach them. Even then I enjoyed the experience of sharing and teaching music. When I was 15 I began teaching guitar lessons to a small group of students who attended service at the church my family attends. In addition to this, family friends would hire me to give their children piano/guitar lessons on weekends. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Drums Recorder Keyboard

Because every student has his/her own learning style, my lessons cater to those styles. I figure out a student's strengths and weaknesses. I acknowledge the accomplishments caused by the strengths while I focus on developing the weaknesses. For example, if a student excels melodically but has trouble maintaining accurate rhythm, I will engage the student in listening to and playing many interesting melodies that require him/her to pay close attention to counting the rhythms in order to master playing the melodies. Read More

Instruments: Voice

My full name is Johnathon Bentley K. (JBK), but I just go by Ben. I recently graduated from NYU with a master's in vocal performance, concentrating in musical theatre, and an advanced certificate in vocal pedagogy. While there, I taught voice lessons as an adjunct professor. I also have a BFA in theatre performance, concentrating in musical theatre. I include all that to demonstrate two things. 1) I have done extensive research on the voice. Read More