Music Lessons in Suffield, CT

Instruments: Voice

For students I ask that you have printed lyrics and instrumentals for our lessons. Microphones can be used in lessons as well. Equipment*** - Large mirror (for practicing in front of)- microphone – sound system to play instrumentals. I specifically love working on stage presence, I feel this area tends to be overlooked. Being able to sing a song extremely well is essential but being able to perform that song extremely well is a completely different task. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I use a combination of my own teaching curriculum, Hal Leanoards Method books, which are full of modern riffs by some of today's top Rock and Pop artists, Troy Stetina methods for my Hard Rock/Metal students, Musicians Institute materials, Guitar for Kids for the younger ones etc... While I draw from a variety of material the lessons are very focused. I learn what each students goals are along with how they best learn and we formulate a solid plan of attack. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For beginning students I start out with an introduction to the fretboard and tuning the guitar. We then move on to basic chords, strumming and one-line melodies. Intermediate students will move on to more complex riffs, fingerpicking and arpeggios, as well as learning how to improvise using chord inversions and scales. For me it's important that we work on proper technique and musical concepts, but to do so while learning songs by artists that you like. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Recorder Mallet Percussion

I started my private teaching instruction in both voice and piano at The Renaissance Center in Southbury, CT. I have always enjoyed teaching my craft and enstilling the love for music, theatre, and dance into my students in the same ways that my teachers did for me. I have been teaching privately since I was in high school, and I have been public and private school teaching general music and choir for over 15 years. Read More

Instruments: Flute Recorder Music

For all of my students I like to approach the lesson through the lens of preparation, skills, solos, and fun. I believe it is very important to prepare the mind and the body for the lesson to get the maximum benefit. In all of my lessons I begin with appropriate warm-ups before moving on to skills and technique. I use a variety of method books depending on the goals and wishes of my students, and I tailor them to make sure they are learning all the skills they need to be able to play the solos and fun music that they want to learn. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I'm not opposed in principle to using any particular series of method books, and I can understand the advantages of using, say, the Bastien Piano Basics series to introduce music fundamentals. That said, I haven't found any pre-made lesson plans or materials that work for everybody. It seems like it's best to gauge what book, repertoire, and approach is best for each student based on the first few lessons, and customize the experience from that point on. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Violin Viola Banjo Ukulele

My students cover a wide range, from bluegrass to concert classical. The correct technique is, in my experience, the one that will be able to underlay any musical style. For example, if the left hand is flexible and well-formed, then blues, Bach and flamenco all will come more easily. This core is essential, because even at the most beginning stages, the student should be able to play with musical expression. Read More