Music Lessons in Stony Brook, NY

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Bass Guitar Synthesizer Accordion Ukulele Euphonium French Horn Tuba Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My pedagogy is based on the American jazz tradition and the teachings of Orff and Kodaly. I like to impart a holistic love of music in my students, without boring them with too much history or theory. However, it is my belief that theory and musical literacy will open doors to a greater level of fulfillment and understanding of music as a whole. The materials I use vary from student to student and from instrument to instrument, depending on each student's goals and progress. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

For beginning students I typically start with an elementary band method (Yamaha, Hal Leonard's Essential Elements, etc..). We focus on basic tone production, finger technique, note reading, and playing simple songs. Once the student is comfortable we begin to work out of a duet book. This gives the student a chance to "perform" with me at each lesson, tends to accelerate progress, and is fun! For advanced students we can focus on particular areas of interest.Whether jazz, classical or popular music is your focus, refining various aspects of tone and technique are always incorporated into the learning process. Read More

Instruments: Piano

When I need to give specific instructions, I experiment with different methods, such as exercises that heighten aural awareness, mental image examples, or physical movements. One goal is to bring awareness of as many different sounds as I help them hear. I believe in acknowledging improvement and mentioning specific positive feedback. I also try to adapt lesson plans to the goals of the student, while trying to push them further. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Drums Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer Harmonica Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Recorder Double Bass Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Acoustic Guitar

Each year after that, I got a new instrument and taught myself how to play it. I got the John Phillip Sousa award for playing trumpet in my high school orchestras. I love playing music in bands and I am always consistently playing music on a daily basis. I would love to be able to teach others how I taught myself music and I hope that other people can be as good as me and make the world more of a musical place. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Saxophone Ukulele Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I've been teaching music since I was in high school, starting with voice lessons. In college, many of my friends and friends of friends asked me to tutor them in voice, music theory, writing, and various instruments. Now, I have many private students that I meet with in person and over zoom and teach group classes as well. I think it's important that music students get to work on repertoire that excites them. Read More

Instruments: Piano Keyboard

For beginning students, I use Faber and Faber's Piano Adventures, which offers a variety of supplemental material to encourage a variety of styles. As a musician who values both classical music and improvisation, I teach my students how to use chord sheets very soon after they begin to read music. As their skills increase, so will the variety of music I introduce based on their interest. Since I quit piano at one point around age 10, I empathize with struggling students and try to make music as fun and accessible as possible to help them truly grow a lifelong love of music! Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I am lucky to have had the opportunity to work with so many great students of all different levels. From adult beginners to advanced high school students, I have enjoyed helping people achieve their musical goals for the past 10 years! For younger students, audition preparation is an important part of their musical journey. I try to make this process as fun possible to make sure that they enjoy their audition experience. Read More