Music Lessons in Thornton, PA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Bass Guitar

I am a trumpeter, multi-instrumentalist, and composer/arranger in the Philadelphia and New York regions. My primary instrument for the past 16+ years is trumpet; I also regularly perform on assorted brass, electric bass, and vocals. I hold a Master of Music degree in Jazz Performance from the University of the Arts; and a Bachelor of Science in Music degree concentrating in Jazz Studies and Theory Composition from the State University of New York at New Paltz.I have appeared on many albums during the past few years including my own debut solo album. Read More

Instruments: Bass Guitar Double Bass

With my bass students, I begin with basic technique and ear training. My first goal for a student is to learn one of their favorite simple folk songs by ear, while also developing basic musical skills and instrumental technique. I believe that it is extremely important to begin developing a students aural abilities and creativity early on. I also will have the student begin to work out of the Simandl bass method book for simple exercises and introduction to reading music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Bass Guitar Keyboard

I believe in developing five core areas in musicianship: Theory/Understanding, Technique, Creativity, Reading, and Versatility. Initial lessons will identify the students strong points and weak points, and a personal strategy will be employed to help strengthen and balance the student overall. Many beginning classical musicians are able to read fairly well but have little to no comprehension of how and why the music works; while many contemporary musicians may have "chops" but lack in their ability to read and/or have proper technique. Read More

Instruments: Drums Synthesizer Djembe

From my coursework as a Psychology major in college, I take care to connect with the specific enthusiasm, learning style, and pacing of each student. Ive remediated some of my lessons to better serve students who learn only-by-ear and pay with eyes closed VS others who have-to-read to coordinate themselves. From my graduate-school research in music-education through interactive media and video games, I seek to maximize the importance of immersion and unbroken flow while playing, and the thinking/feeling/knowing/playing of learning without having to stop playing. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Saxophone

I like to keep my lessons fun. I realize that technique can be dull and dry at times but is a necessity in learning music. I like to mix technique with songs and styles of music the student is interested in so they get a full understanding of why technique is important and how it applies to songs and musical selections that are of interest to the student. A learning experience should be fun because for people, especially a child, something has to peak a willingness to learn. Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion

This will evolve, but for now, I can say that I am a passionate player, teacher, and coach/mentor of anyone at any age with an interest or commitment to play drums or percussion. I will meet you where you are in ability and instruments owned and we will run from there. I am not tied to any particular teaching method, curriculum, or style. Reading music or not. Standard grip or not. Read More

Instruments: Cello

My teaching experience began while studying at Indiana University, as I had the incredible opportunity to study pedagogy under Susan Moses and Mimi Zweig. There I was able to develop my skills as a teacher, and nurture my passion for education. I am a firm believer that given an encouraging environment and repetitions, any student can succeed in anything! From the beginning, I instill an awareness that cello playing must incorporate the most natural physical motions to play with beautiful tone and ease. Read More