Music Lessons in Shelter Island Heights, NY

Instruments: Violin Viola

Since I was in high school, I have been very passionate about teaching violinists and violists of all ages and levels. I began playing at the age of four studying the Suzuki Method and mainly use the Suzuki Method to guide my teaching. In addition to teaching, I have had the opportunity to perform all over America and much of the world, including Canada, China, much of Europe, and Israel. Read More

Instruments: Bass Guitar Double Bass

I try to focus more on technique and the physical approach to the instrument, with the bass being so large and cumbersome it is most important that students are treating their own bodies well! Musicality is also very important, I may ask my students to listen for the longer line within a peace. If they cannot find the larger phrase we can explore it together! The focus on technique may seem tedious at first, but my students see vast pay off in their solo pieces. Read More

Instruments: Piano

In my piano teaching I have devoted time in collecting pieces for all levels and abilities. I believe students should learn from a piece of music rather than a book of sterile excersices. As such, I am a great supporter of those pieces written for children by composers. One example for all is Bartok's Mikrokosmos, where each piece is a migniature composition for children. I have used Bartok's Mikrokosmos for more than 15 years and also made my beginner students write small pieces based on those principles found in Mikrokosmos.To complement this approach I choose pieces from all genre and music styles for more advance students. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Trombone Clarinet Euphonium Tuba

Being a music teacher means much more to me than teaching students how to play the notes written on the musical page. As a music educator, my main goal is to offer my students endless musical experiences that are both positive and meaningful to their own personal development. I am also responsible for teaching my students how to see, think, recognize, and hear as musician, and to understand the importance of being musically literate. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I am a compassionate, steady teacher. I believe in positive reinforcement paired with goals that students can be proud of meeting. I have high standards for my students in order that they progress, but at the same time I am understanding and kind in my style. Every lesson I give has clear instruction and at the end I outline a clear expectation for the next lesson. For example, what music needs to be practiced and what specific skills need to be focused on that week. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Music

Using the techniques modeled from the International Voices of Mix, an assessment is taking on the syllable Ahh, on either a 5 tone scale or 8 tone. This is done to listen for various breaks in voice. Once this is discovered different different vocal exercises are then orchestrated to begin the process of strengthening the less stronger parts of the voice. Songs will be chosen to accommodate the students voice and interest. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Euphonium French Horn Tuba

My teaching experience starts even while I was in high school. I would volunteer to help the middle school band students to coach them and get them ready for competitions. I also volunteered with the Seattle Music Partners where we went into schools that lost their music program and we taught students after school as their only means of connection to this art in schools. While in college I was a co-coordinator and participant in a Music Mentor Program where we took college students and matched them with students from the local middle school in Oberlin. Read More