Music Lessons in Haddonfield, NJ

Instruments: Bass Guitar Double Bass

With my bass students, I begin with basic technique and ear training. My first goal for a student is to learn one of their favorite simple folk songs by ear, while also developing basic musical skills and instrumental technique. I believe that it is extremely important to begin developing a students aural abilities and creativity early on. I also will have the student begin to work out of the Simandl bass method book for simple exercises and introduction to reading music. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I teach my students to read music as well as to play by ear. I host 2 recitals each year. We learn one song start to finish and I hire a professional band to learn and perform the songs with my students at a local establishment or at my studio. I encourage all of my students to perform with our recital band. As far as books, I prefer to use the "new Breed", by Gary Chester, the ''Art of Bop Drumming'', by John Riley , and the ''encyclopedia of reading rhythms'', by Garry Hess, but there are many other books I recommend for specific needs. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

I've been a private lesson teacher since 1997 and have taught in 7 school districts across the Southeastern PA/Southern NJ area since 1999. My ensembles have consistently won State, Regional and National Championships over this time and my students have become members of elite performing ensembles like the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps (Fort Mill, South Carolina) and Miami, Florida's New World Symphony. While school level instruction is a critical element of student development, private lessons offer the individual attention not available to students taught in large groups, while yielding results of greater quality at a faster pace. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Latin Percussion

When teaching a novice student the drums it is extremely important to note that learning the drums is not an overnight affair. The amount of practice needed for thorough syncopation is not to be slept on. HOWEVER, I genuinely believe once a student hits that learning curve where their arms and legs have "minds of their own" there is an infinite amount of progress that can be made after. I always say music is fun and it should always be whether the student is practicing rudiments, or legitimately playing to pieces from Glen Miller's Orchestra all the way up to Michael Jackson. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin

My goal is to foster a love of music through mastery, excellence and fun! I never want lessons to feel like something that has to be done, but rather, something to look forward to. I accomplish this by incorporating the interests of each student and including time in each lesson to improvise, create, or learn music they are interested in. I tailor my instruction to each student and keep track of progress so we know how to proceed. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Music Keyboard Electric Guitar

For beginner students, I often begin with the foundations of the instrument. For drums, we would be practice the rhythmic subdivisions (quarter, eighth, sixteenth notes) and slowly work them into grooves that they can easily start to pick out of their favorite songs. When the fundamentals have been established, we can learn more advanced grooves, dissect songs together, and learn how to improvise and write our own drum parts. My biggest focus as a teacher is to help the student discover the music that they want to learn and make so that they can develop their own unique voice. Read More

Instruments: Bass Guitar

I absolutely love teaching bass/guitar lessons and recording techniques, and I've been doing it since just after my Berklee College of Music days. I learned from the best (Dave LaRue, Oscar Stagnaro, Bruce Gertz & Joe Santerre) and from years and years of performing live with countless original and cover bands, stage bands, wedding bands, jazz ensembles, big bands, orchestras and marching bands. My experience as a recording/mixing engineer has greatly helped to mold my overall musicianship, as I have had the unique opportunity to work with many incredibly talented musicians, songwriters, producers, engineers, actors and creative-minded people. Read More