Music Lessons in River Vale, NJ

Instruments: Violin Electric Violin Fiddle

While I do not subscribe to any particular school of study, such as Suzuki or Schrimer's, I am a firm beleiver in starting off with my students at their current level and pace. Once I have assessed a students's personal ability, there is discussion of what goals/objectives the student wshes to achieve. Once we have decided what direction the student wishes to take with their instrument, I typically use a variety of etudes, chamber, and solo music to offer both a strong technical base along with a freedom of choice. Read More

Instruments: Piano Flute Recorder Piccolo

My favorite thing about teaching is seeing the light in my students eyes in those "aha" moments when simple suggestions open up new possibilities of technique and musical expression.  I offer both Suzuki and traditional style lessons. I believe lessons should be both challenging and fun and seek to find the right balance for each student. It is my job as a teacher to find out how each of my students learn and what inspires them. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Cello Viola Electric Violin Fiddle

Paganini's 4th Violin Concerto with cadenza which Oleg Rutkovsky composed especially for this event. After competition he was invited to participate in music festival in Rimini, Italy where he shared the stage with such famous musicians as Boris Berezovsky (1st Prize 1990 P.I.Tchaikovsky Piano Competition), Enrico Pace and Evgeny Bushkov (both winners of many international competitions). After one year with State Symphony Capella of Russia where conductor was legendary Gennady Rozhdestvensky and where Oleg performed in section 1st Violins in 1992 he accepted position of Assistant concertmaster of famous Moscow Radio Symphony Orchestra and traveled around the globe performing in almost every important music hall including Carnegie Hall and Avery Fisher Hall in New York, Royal Albert and Barbican Hall in London, Beethoven Hall in Bonn (Germany), Gewandhaus, Symphony Hall and Suntory Hall in Tokyo and Osaka (Japan), Musikverein Golden Hall  in Vienna and many more. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

Acoustic Electric Guitarist,Composer Music Educator. Craig's early music influence came from his family; he grew up with Mom's jazz, RB and soul records and his brother's Rock Roll albums. Craig started playing guitar at the age of 9. In high school Craig started performing live with his first rock roll band. He attended Berklee College of Music and studied with private teachers and attended workshops with great musicians including. Dave Creamer, Pat Metheny, Michael Brecker and many more. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I always keep each lesson based on actual music so all that is learned is applied to making music. I believe that you must learn something and then apply it to a real song for that concept to stick and more importantly so you understand how music works. The advanced payer learns music theory, scales, chords, song structure and cycle of 5ths as well as how music works and how to compose. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Flute Piccolo

Teaching is the best decision I have ever made in my entire career. When students first start I always ask them what their goals are and what they would like to work on. My goal for them is to watch them grow into the best musicians they can be because I see so much potential in them. For band students, during marching band camp, I asked my students to play what they could and gave them feedback afterward including suggestions on how to correct bad habits early on. Read More

Instruments: Voice

Nothing is more rewarding than seeing one of my students develop a passion for music and they start performing ! Therefore, it's important that each student progresses at his or her own pace. I encourage this by setting realistic goals for my students at each lesson and I also give them homework to practice. By trying to find out what inspires the student, I can successfully tailor my instruction to their wants and needs.. Read More