Music Lessons in Raritan, NJ

Instruments: Voice

I focus on confidence and realism in my teaching. I believe in finding a students "true voice" rather than having them imitate what they hear on recordings. Every student is unique, and every student has a magnificent voice waiting to be unleashed! For beginning voice students I focus on pitch sense, breathing, support and ear training to make sure we have a solid foundation to expand into more advanced techniques. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

One of the most valuable life skills that music lessons can impart is the skill of objective self-analysis. This means being honest with oneself, both about areas that need improvement (weaknesses), but also existing strengths! I encourage students to use this skill in a musical context, with the hope that they then carry it out into other parts of their lives. My greatest strength as a teacher is my flexibility- I make sure to prepare for every lesson, but if a student comes in with a curveball that takes the lesson in a new direction, I'm happy to go with the flow, and to try and build and expose the deeper relationships between different areas of music and the saxophone. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I have been teaching from a young age in The Netherlands as a independent private instrcutor, where I had the experience of teaching young students from as young as the age of five. As I got more experience, I was able to start teaching at the Centre of Young Musicians, where I would lead dedicated young musicians in a Jazz combo. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Keyboard

For beginning students, I prefer to use the Alfred's Basic Piano Course books. Once the student gets down the fundamentals and becomes more technically proficient, I introduce solo repertoire and get them started with some fun and musical etudes to improve finger dexterity. I also like to make the lessons fun and entertaining for the kids by playing some music games or giving rewards. For adult students, I try to find appropriate beginner piano books. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Music

I moved to San Francisco California in 1969 and spent the next fourteen years playing, touring and recording with such diverse musical luminaries as Boz Scaggs, Otis Rush, Doug Samms, Jessica Williams, Sonny Fortune, Dexter Gordon and Art Blakey. I also was fortunate enough during this period to study Trumpet with John Coppola and Woody Shaw. In 1983 I moved back to New Jersey where I now live with my wife Esther. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

My goal as an educator is to help recognize what a student is trying to achieve and give them the tools, knowledge, and foundation to best achieve their goals. Each lesson is tailored to the student's unique interests and goals are set each week to help them accomplish based on those interests. It is crucial that each student progresses at a pace at which they are most comfortable. This way, students will be motivated and eager to learn and develop their skills, as they are only working on what interests them. Read More

Instruments: Flute Piccolo

I like to being on creating a wonderful sound, and a very good concept of rhythm which relates not only to fingers, but also and internal pulse. I like to also focus a lot on the exhale of air into the instrument, and the relationship to blowing air through technical passages. Once this is grasped, working on scales, various etude books, and applying these concepts to the repertoire works well for both beginner and advanced students. Read More