Music Lessons in Merrick, NY

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola Electric Violin

Learning in my class takes place in a very friendly atmosphere. When teaching my students, I try to motivate them to achieve their goals every time I advise them to do something. I try to select advice based on the most accessible form of a verbal description of a particular problem. In addition, I always try to show visually any movement that causes difficulty in the student and convey this understanding through a practical basis. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet

My teaching experience dates back to 15 years ago. I was motivated by my previous teachers and wanted to do the same. I have taught all levels of development ranging from beginner to College level. I have taught at Community Music schools up to and including Oberlin College. On each level, I always find it a challenge to keep the interest of the student at the forefront. By being accessible and willing to work through any issues goes a long way. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

For beginning or young students (under age 8), music-related games are incorporated into lessons to encourage positive growth, rather than thinking of playing an instrument as a "chore". Small assignments are expected to be completed weekly, so that the child feels a sense of accomplishment and progress. For older or more advanced students, lessons are structured by a regimen of scales, exercises, and classical pieces. If the student so chooses, classical pieces can be exchanged for pop or contemporary music. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder Bassoon

My teaching process looks like a mountain stream. We start at the top of the mountain, and the goal is to get to the bottom. As I teach using my tried and true techniques, we make our way down, but when I notice that my student needs extra help, or should be pushed more, we detour into another stream until we can return to our main path. Sometimes, we diverge immediately and continue down different paths until we make it to the bottom anyway! Read More

Instruments: Drums Latin Percussion Djembe

There's a ton of books about drumset out there. I like to use some of the best ones in my experience that offer us infinite possibilities to create our own individual practice routines. These include: - Stick Control by George Lawrence Stone - Syncopation by Ted Reed - Modern Rudimental Swing Solos by Charley Wilcoxon - The Drummer's Complete Vocabulary As Taught by Alan Dawson More than the books I like to focus on the desire, the flame in the student which drives them to want to play music in the first place... a favorite song or band, and then use these books in order to service that. Read More

Instruments: Voice

I’m a singing teacher who is passionate about helping my students find their voice and tell their own personal stories in the songs we work on. Some become professional singers/songwriters if that is their goal. Some are accepted into college music programs. After two years as a Musical Theater major at Tisch School of the Arts, I graduated from New York University’s Gallatin Independent Study program, merging my wider interests in Classic Texts, Science, and Writing while continuing to study singing privately in NYC. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Saxophone Flute Clarinet Bass Guitar Recorder Double Bass Music

It is important to adopt a teaching style that is tailored to the individual needs of each student, especially because each student learns at their own pace. Setting goals is one of the first topics I discuss with my students, and then indicate some of the steps they need to take to achieve the goals that they set for themselves. Keeping track of a student's hours of practice and their musical achievements is beneficial for me to determine what new material and concepts to work on, and also allows the student to stay organized and motivated.  Read More