Music Lessons in Spuyten Duyvil, NY

Instruments: Piano Voice Music

The essence behind my teaching style is constructed from an active gathering of ideas from the worlds of vocal pedagogy, body awareness, movement, emotional awareness, affirming language, and space holding. Developing a plan with the student versus “for” the student is also an essential piece to fostering success and allowing the student to witness their own understanding of the work - placing high emphasis on the journey and viewing snapshots on a timeline to recognize progress. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Orchestral Percussion Conga Music Djembe

For beginner students, I typically start with the book Syncopation by Ted Reed. From this book, students learn basic rhythmic concepts and how to read them, and they develop the coordination to play them on snare drum and drum set. Then, I teach my students the 26 basic rudiments that all drummers must know. After that, I teach my students different types of ethnic musical traditions from all over the world. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Music

I moved to San Francisco California in 1969 and spent the next fourteen years playing, touring and recording with such diverse musical luminaries as Boz Scaggs, Otis Rush, Doug Samms, Jessica Williams, Sonny Fortune, Dexter Gordon and Art Blakey. I also was fortunate enough during this period to study Trumpet with John Coppola and Woody Shaw. In 1983 I moved back to New Jersey where I now live with my wife Esther. Read More

Instruments: Voice

While doing my bachelor's degree, I tutored students for piano group classes and music theory. When moving to New York, I started teaching piano and voice students in the Queens while doing my master's degree. Two years later, I still have the privilege of teaching those students who have participated in recitals, with enthusiasm to teach more. While teaching, I like to be active in my profession. I participate in recitals, workshops and other vocal activities. Read More

Instruments: Violin

My music teaching experience started after I graduated from college. I held private lessons to students who were preparing for auditions, recitals, NYSSMA, college applications, and to people who just simply love playing music. I have taught students ranging from elementary school to retirees. I encourage students to practice every day and help them stay motivated. I also urge my students to participate in recitals and competitions and play in orchestras and string ensembles, which will help them making friends and improve their communication skills. Read More

Instruments: Piano Synthesizer Keyboard

The best thing as a music teacher personally is to see of my students develop a love for music. It is also important that each individual student will improve at his or her own pace and his or her own level. I will encourage this by making realistic goals for all my students at each individual lesson. Telling the individual student what they have accomplished musically and what they have learned musically at the music lesson will help give the individual student to want to learn more about music. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Ukulele Conga Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Having studied guitar formally for 4 years at Berklee, I pull from materials that I found most helpful to me during my own education. These include scales, chords, modes, picking patterns and even solos. Aside from fundamentals and exercises, my favorite method of teaching is asking a student what they want to learn, a song they enjoy for example, and doing my best to teach the student how to play it and why it works from a harmonic perspective. Read More