Music Lessons in Naugatuck, CT

Instruments: Drums Music

I teach 4-way independence (this means all 4 limbs) so students can move freely around the drum set. With this independence, students are able to play any style of music including Rock, Blues, Gospel, Latin, Jazz, Hip Hop, Electronic, and World. I incorporate a remarkable practice drumstick known as the HingeStix into the lesson plan that builds muscle memory to master the loose grip, the bounce, and the rebound. The HingeStix, coupled with traditional drumsticks, help students accel very rapidly. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

My instruction method is to assess each student's experience, ability, and goals on guitar, bass, or songwriting/composition, and tailor my instruction to the individual skill level and needs. I take a song-centric approach, and introduce or reinforce techniques using songs that feature that technique or musical concept as a way to keep students engaged beyond rote memorization of scales, patterns, techniques, etc. I also use a song-based approach as a way to bring in theory and a deeper understanding of the whats and whys of music, while still focusing on the fun of playing using songs that the student wants to learn. Read More

Instruments: Violin

I am a professional violinist with many years of experience in performing, and teaching in all areas of music. I earned my Bachelors of Music from the University of Akron and earned experience there as a Violin Teaching Assistant and Theory and History Tutor, and am currently working towards my Masters in Performance and Suzuki Pedagogy at The Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford. When students take lessons with me, they can expect to learn something new every week about the violin, technical abilities, how to create music that tells a story, and most importantly, about themselves and their own creative and learning abilities. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Drums Synthesizer Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion Music Keyboard

2011-2012: Teaching Assistant, San Jose State University 2010-present: Piano, percussion, and voice teacher with Musika 2010: Substitute accompanist at Willow Glen United Methodist Church 2008-2009: Accompanist for James Lick High School 2007-present: Organist/Pianist for Santa Teresa Hills Presbyterian Church 2006-7: Accompanist for Scotts Valley Unified School District 2005-2006: Accompanist and Teaching Assistant with Cabrillo Youth Choir 2005: Composer and Percussionist for "Oedipus Rex," Cabrillo Stage; Substitute Accompanist at St. Joseph's Church in Capitola, California 2004: Accompanist with the Santa Cruz Summer Singers 2003: Teaching Assistant for History of Western Art Music, University of California, Santa Cruz 2000-2001: Teaching Assistant and Tutor in music theory, musicianship, piano, and world music studies at Cabrillo College 1998: Began working as a freelance piano teacher and keyboard player Read More

Instruments: Piano Bass Guitar Double Bass

I thoroughly enjoy making my own curriculums based on each student's unique learning style. I do combine elements of other books or methods I've seen or learned myself too though, and am open to working through any books that the student themself finds interesting. Normally for beginner musicians, I like to take them through the basics of reading sheet music, as that has been a cornerstone to my learning as well. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet

My journey in music took a couple of unexpected turns. As a youth, it was my intention to get a degree in trumpet performance, but life held a different path for me and I put the instruments away. Some years later, my wife- knowing how much I continued to enjoy music- suggested I take up trumpet again and I did, for which I'll be eternally grateful! I now perform in multiple ensembles in Westchester and Fairfield counties as well as in New York City in addition to maintaining a teaching studio where I can share my love of music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Recorder Mallet Percussion

For Piano Students: I usually use the Alfred Piano Course book series, unless a student has already established themselves in a different lesson book series, are familiar with it, and wish to stay with that series. There is an adult series of Alfred Piano Course lesson books as well, so I am able to gear lessons for adults towards their teaching series as well. I usually teach beginning to intermediate level piano students, so these books are extremely helpful to those students because they teach proper fundamentals of piano playing, as well as theory, ear training, and technique. Read More