Music Lessons in Sayreville, NJ

Instruments: Trumpet

The best lesson I learned before attending college, my trumpet teacher taught me, "If you sound good while practicing, you're not really practicing", which I make sure to mention multiple times. I never try to overload my students with too much material, but instead try to understand what they would like to learn, and develop lessons and exercises from that. Brass instruments require commitment, and although difficult, playing should seem fun, instead of a chore. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

Although my instruction, guidance, and expertise in my field will most assuredly contribute to the growth of my students, ultimately, the extent to which a student succeeds and flourishes is contingent upon their willingness and dedication to practice outside of the lessons. I generally expect my student to record each lesson as reinforcement of the techniques, vocalizes, warm-ups, etc. studied in each lesson. This also allows the students note their progress over time. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Organ Synthesizer

The way I teach is the way I was taught, using methods that were in place when I was a kid, some of these techniques date back to the 1800's. I believe in teaching scales, and also the Carl Czerny exercises and etudes, pieces that are designed to get beginners up to the advanced level. I incorporate elementary theory into the scales by including chord cadence patterns and inversions so as to make the technical transition from method books to playing actual classical pieces and songs as smoothly and as quickly as possible. Read More

Instruments: Piano Music Keyboard

I am a multifaceted musician with busy career as a conductor, arranger, pianist, and teaching artist. I call myself an artrepreneur. I founded my own orchestra called Ensemble 212 in New York and we have received critical acclaim for our innovative programming of works by living composers, exciting interpretations of the standard repertoire, and my own arrangements and transcriptions. I have also guest conducted numerous ensembles in Europe and North America and my arrangements and transcriptions have been performed throughout Asia, Australia, Europe, North and South America by leading orchestras such as the Baltimore, Phoenix and Singapore Symphony Orchestras. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

In highschool I worked with a music mentoring program.  I would travel to local elementary schools and teach children from 2nd to 4th grade violin in small groups.  This cultivated my love of teaching.  Though in college I never had the opportunity to teach privately due to my busy schedule, during breaks I would often give masterclass style lessons to students of my former teacher Michael Bandimere when they were preparing for performances or auditions. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I have taught students of all ages and experience levels. I am currently preparing multiple students for a graded solo performance that will be happening at the local NYSSMA festival this June at NYU. One of my past students had received entry into the Fiorello H. Laguardia High School Of Music Art and Performing Arts. As a group percussion instructor for BELL (Building Educated Leaders for Life), I worked with students in a summer program who were in grades six, seven, and eight. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Flute Clarinet Bass Guitar Recorder

I began teaching woodwinds when I was 18 while attending Northern Illinois University. I would help junior high and high school students in the area in private lessons. At age 23 I began teaching music courses at Istanbul Bilgi University, in Turkey. After leaving Turkey in 2001, I have focused on private lessons, teaching students of all ages and ability levels. I have been fortunate enough to perform with many incredible world-class musicians such as Quincy Jones, Phil Collins, Tito Puente, Chaka Khan, David Sanborn, Toots Thielemans, Paquito DRivera and Gerald Albright. Read More