Music Lessons in Shelter Island Heights, NY

Instruments: Piano Organ Accordion Keyboard

By the age of 15 I was playing music professionally. I was in love with music by then and it has been my greatest passion to this day. I was honored to be asked by Dr. Porto to teach for him. With Mr. Porto as my teaching mentor I quickly learned what makes a great teacher. After Mr. Porto died I received another great honor. I was asked to take his place in his music band. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Bass Guitar Recorder Piccolo Oboe Keyboard

My intermediate students I like to pull form either the Klose for clarinet students, the Trevor Wye books for flute, and Ferling for saxophone. My advanced students I like to introduce solo repitoire as well as more advance studies on their respective instruments, as well as more comprehensive scale and tone exercises. I love to focus on technique and musicality, and with that musical reading ability falls right into place. Read More

Instruments: Drums

For materials I use the following; Vic Firth Snare Drum Method, Rudimental Swing Solos, Art of Bop Drumming, Brazilian Rhythms for Drumset, Afro-Cuban Rhythms for Drumset, Syncopation, Rudimental Ritual, Tables of Time and Music Minus One. Each book focuses on sight reading, coordination and musical styles. Outside of reading materials, I always give my students music to listen to and recordings to play along to. Playing and listening to recordings provides a musical context for what we're learning. Read More

Instruments: Trombone

During lessons, I encourage the student at every possible point. Correcting and giving many points of success. The important essential for me is providing a steady stream of improvement with the study materials. What ever they may be, methods, ad hoc excercises, solos, and ensemble music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Organ Music

I am always highly-organized, high-energy, clear, well-spoken, systematic, detail-oriented, engaging, funny, entertaining and helpful. For students who desire a more relaxed and/or slow-moving approach, I am happy to oblige. For students who desire a faster-paced and/or more intense style of teaching, I am also happy to oblige. In all cases, I believe in tailoring my teaching style to the student's age, ability level, personality, learning style, number of years of lessons so far, other preferences, etc. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet

I believe that no two students are alike; for each of my students, I create an individual, custom-tailored plan and routine to help solve the most challenging issues in their playing. I advise my students to keep a practice log and write down everything they accomplish and challenges they notice in a practice session. What went well? What didn't go so well? Writing things down provides us with a timeline of progression to see what works and what doesn’t. Read More

Instruments: Clarinet

Depending on the level of the student, I will access what the most valuble method books or resources will be to work out of in order to increase success! Read More