Music Lessons in Mount Royal, NJ

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Viola Keyboard

As Shinichi Suzuki said, musical harmony breeds social harmony; to learn and make music together helps us all. For this I have grown the string and choral programs in Elmhurst's 51st Avenue Academy; taught violin, viola, and chamber music at the Queens College Center for Preparatory Studies in Music; led the Stony Brook Pre-College chamber music program; taught strings and chorus in Kiev, Ukraine; taught graduate education courses at Touro College online; and enjoy teaching music at NJ's Calderone School. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Music Electric Guitar

My teaching experience dates back to my high school days, continued throughout my college experience, and is my current part time job at numerous music schools. I use a combination of determining where the student is currently at, areas the student wants to to improve, and my own profession assessment of where a great place for the student to begin would be in our lessons. Every student learns differently, so that's why he adapts to all situations and ensures his students are given the tools and knowledge they need in order to reach their full musical potential. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Euphonium Tuba

To me, nothing is more satisfying then problem solving and that is what these lessons are. I help find the roadblock in the way of your student learning, and I give them the tools to fix it. As they practice more and more, they will start to figure out there own ways to fix issues. My favorite moments aren't during the lesson at the time, its the lesson next week where I hear the progress. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

I consider my teaching style to be comprised of two major components - physical and mental. The physical component includes things like picking, strumming, finger strength, finger dexterity, and left hand/right hand coordination. For this, I provide a variety of exercises which do not necessarily require musical knowledge. These can be taught at any time, but are especially valuable early in a student's learning path. They are also effective warm-up exercises before practice and before performances. Read More

Instruments: Voice

My approach as a teacher is to see what the voice is already doing and improve on the foundation that we already have. All music-making is positive music-making. My students love that I laugh and chat with them during our lessons. I primarily teach Musical theater and characterization, but I can also teach classical music and diction (languages). I believe that style, voice phenomenons, language/diction, artistic innovation, decision-making, characterization, and active choice-making are the best ways to get someone to make great music. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet

My new students typically spend their first lesson and sometime their second getting used to playing the trumpet for the first time; the goal is to learn proper breathing, posture and tone. I have found the best method book for students is the "Learn to Play the Trumpet/Cornet" method book and always ask that students purchase the Arban's Method book, a must have for any trumpet player. Once the student is proficient in beginning methods, I like to move on to technical studies and the Sigmund Hering Etudes, as well as studies in the Arban's Method; if the student has progressed well enough Concertos and solo performance music will be added. Read More