Music Lessons in Shortsville, NY

Instruments: Drums Djembe

First and foremost my goal as an educator is to inspire students to have a love, passion and excitement for music by tailoring my lessons toward each student's unique goals and interests. I aim to prepare students for any situation they may encounter by providing them with a strong basis in the fundamentals of music and drumming, along with improvisational techniques, skills for ensemble playing, sight reading skills, soloing, developing excellent tone, and proper technique to play with ease. Read More

Instruments: Bass Guitar Double Bass

My musical education began at the Interlochen Arts Academy and continued to flourish at the Eastman School of Music. These institutions not only equipped me with a deep knowledge of the double bass but also instilled in me a passion for sharing this knowledge with aspiring musicians. I continue to grow and learn through experience by joining orchestras such as the Albany Symphony, Binghamton Philharmonic, Erie Philharmonic as a sub musician. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Music

While teaching, I create a very friendly and welcome environment. Comfort between the student and teacher is critical in order to progress with technique and repertoire. I open the floor to questions, concerns and truly want to hear what the students perspectives are. With beginner students, the primary focus is on breath management, developing flexibility between ranges, and applying technique to repertoire. For more advanced singers, I am able to help prepare for auditions or performances and focus more on the quality and control of the voice. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Flute Clarinet Bass Guitar Banjo Ukulele Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For beginning children, I typically like to use the Alfred series of beginner books depending on the instrument. I also like the students to rely on their ears just as equally, so the other half of the lesson is usually dedicated to learning music without relying on reading music. Of course, this is all dependent on the student's needs or prior experience. More importantly, I want to teach the student what they are truly interested in with music, and I have plenty of material to discuss if they are unsure of this interest. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Saxophone Flute

I will work with each student to help them understand the fundamentals of jazz, for example, knowing major scales, minor scales, and all of the modes that we typically see in most jazz repertoire. For students that are more advanced we will work on learning how to play over common chord progressions and learn how to play songs found in the Great American Songbook. For students at a higher level, we can work on cementing more advanced techniques such as how to play over chord substitutions. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

I do not have that much "professional" teaching experience. However, I have taught guitar to some friends over the years. I have just decided to begin teaching. As for experience, I have been playing guitar since I was 9. My parents met playing guitar and I grew up in a very musical household. In addition to guitar I play saxophone and a little piano, but these are not my main instruments. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Saxophone Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Banjo Mandolin Tuba Keyboard Djembe Acoustic Guitar

I am aware of the many people that have a great desire to learn about music. I view it as a language. Once you are able to read write and speak (singing or playing) you are fluent in music. I graduated from the Eastman School of music in 1977 and have played in several bands and sung in a multitude of singing groups during my life. I have taught music in all its forms for 40 years. Read More