Music Lessons in Manorville, NY

Instruments: Voice

A warm up I use to take care of this issue is asking the student to make a fire siren noise and I go up an octave (ex. do-do, re-re,mi-mi). In an adult I will ask the student to yawn (lifting the soft palate) and sigh at the same time. This is a very simple correction to make in students of all ages. The important thing is to create a nurturing environment in which a student will best understand what I am teaching them. Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

A New York native and life-long professional drummer, I played Dvorak at Carnegie Hall, punk and ska music at CBGB's and classic rock at Wetlands in NYC all during high school. After furthering my studies in percussion performance at Berklee College of Music in Boston, I founded progressive jazz quartet Schleigho, hit the road in 1991 and toured nationally until 2004 , releasing 5 CD's and playing over 3000 shows with the likes of jazz great John Scofield, funk legend Maceo Parker and rock icons The Allman Bothers Band, who signed them in 1998 to their record label, Flying Frog Records. Read More

Instruments: Piano Accordion

I am a passionate and motivated instructor who loves working with students and sharing my love of music. In 1998 I graduated from Music Concervatory in Lithuania and have a piano digre in performance. Teaching over the world has been one of the greatest experiences in my life. I had a great opportunity to perform with my students at the biggest concert halls in Manhattan and Long Island. Every year I have 30-40 students performing on the stage. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet Synthesizer Music

In other words, I cater to each individual student, especially since no two musicians are the same. If a more advanced student is striving for something like NYSSMA or All-State, I would pace them and their lessons accordingly so that they will be ready in time for whatever they might be preparing for. However, despite this different approach, I would still work with them to understand their strengths and weaknesses with playing so that I can help them improve accordingly. Read More

Instruments: Piano Synthesizer

My preferred method of teaching for beginner students is my own adaptation of the Thompson method with strong emphasis on theory and technique. A study of intervalic relationships, chords and progressions combined with terminology, sight reading, ear training and form will provide the student with skills which will allow them to play any style and genre of music they desire. Although the Suzuki method seems to be popular today, I have discovered many short comings of this pedagogical approach and often renders a good pianist limited in their capabilities as a well rounded musician. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

Over the years, my students have consistently placed high in the Western Region Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Orchestra, and several of them have gone on to the extremely competitive Connecticut All-State Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Orchestra. Four of my students have successfully auditioned for the summer program at Interlochen. I have had two of my high school aged students have gone on to Harvard, one to Amherst, and three to Yale - all of whom played in the Yale Concert Band, Yale Jazz Ensemble, and/or Yale Symphony Orchestra. Read More