Music Lessons in Kew Gardens, NY

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Teaching for me works best on an individual level. Students work on different levels and languages concerning music, and you have to be able to adapt to them. Some people might understand everything from the get go, some students need graphic support, some student need to learn song to understand what they are doing. The important part of being an instructor is not the actual material to be taught but being able to clear the way for the student to learn and teach himself, as well as providing a direction towards understanding the instrument and music through the taste and necessities of each student. Read More

Instruments: Voice

Everything we do on stage begins with breath. Sing, Acting, Dancing- all of these require disciplined breath management. Once a strong foundation of good breathing is laid, I tend to use visual-spacial prompts to get the singer to feel the changes rather than use pedagogical terminology. While this is a wonderful set of tools, I will always defer to the student's learning style. Everyone learns differently, and the most important thing a coach or teacher can be is a good, patient communicator. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin

For voice, I focus on proper understanding of the body and its role in singing. I combine this with a breakdown of individual skills followed by performance practice. The combination of the 2 allows there to be an understanding of the correct technique and an immediate opportunity for application. This is accompanied with homework in the form of exercises and books.For violin and piano, it is a similar process. I create and customize lesson plans for each of my students to that it is relevant to their goals and needs. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Cello Saxophone Bass Guitar Double Bass Keyboard

During the first lesson, I have a short discussion with the student to see what their goals are. I also ask what about music interests them. I then ask them to perform anything of their choice to assess their ability level (if applicable). After that, I tell them what immediately needs to be addressed and how this will work with their longterm goal. Then, based on their progress, we set benchmark goals that are adjusted according to their pace. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

Having had so many teachers myself, I have a very broad understanding of what makes technique work and not work. I think developing my students ears and teaching them not only how to play music, but why music is the way it is by far the most important and invaluable part of my lessons depending upon my student's goals. If a student can understand why the songs I teach them are written the way they are, and are able to identify certain structures in a song, they then have the ability to teach themselves something I haven't yet, maybe develop their own opinions on individual songs, and even write their own! Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Acoustic Guitar

I am an intuitive teacher: I have learned how to observe my students, their moods, their energy levels, and adjust my lesson plan on the fly. For instance, one student has ADHD, which I manage by injecting exciting new rhythms for him to mimic when I see his attention wander. I then harness that renewed focus towards the original goal of the lesson, whether it’s learning a new time signature or a complex cross-rhythm. Read More

Instruments: Piano Flute Organ Synthesizer Recorder Piccolo Keyboard

For beginning students I typically start with Hannon and my own finger exercises. I ask the the student to draw notes on a staff so they can get familiar with reading and composing music. All students from beginner to advanced, are given warm up exercises and recommended pieces to play . After 30 years of teaching piano, organ and flute ,I have written my own lesson books series. Each lesson program is custom fit to the students style and playing level. Read More