Music Lessons in Valley Stream, NY

Instruments: Piano Voice Mallet Percussion Keyboard

I have 12+ years of experience teaching all ages, performing, and songwriting. I was drawn to education and instruction from a young age, and began helping younger musicians through a local mentoring program, then volunteered as a student tutor and teacher's aide in musical and english programs. I later began instructing private students and gigging professionally while working on my songwriting - joining and eventually leading a songwriting organization, participating in and coordinating programming with industry professionals. Read More

Instruments: Piano Organ Synthesizer

My approach to teaching is student-centered and based in learning to practice "smart," not "hard." I never loved practicing myself, so I have learned to get the most out of my time at the keyboard. Younger students and busy adults generally appreciate this approach! Of course, there is struggle, and that's all a part of it, but it needn't be arduous or painful. I focus students immediately on what they would most like to accomplish, and together we map out the steps to get to that place. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Ukulele Recorder Electric Violin Double Bass Euphonium French Horn Tuba Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Oboe Bassoon English Horn Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Effective music education is both developmentally and culturally appropriate: By working with the student to understand their interests, I hope to provide them with an experience that will enrich their musical and social life outside of the work we do together. Through infancy, I believe Music Learning Theory is effective for developing musical and linguistic skills. If a student in toddlerhood/childhood shows that they have a preferred way to express themselves musically, I will tailor lessons around the Kodaly (voice), Orff (instrumental), or Dalcroze (dance) philosophies. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

For students who have no experience, I start with Alfreds Kids Guitar Course 1. I want my students to learn the essentials such as basic reading skills, beginner chords, and basic theory. For my students that have this foundation built, I teach using the Major Method. This method was created by my teacher, Rolf Sturm, who insists that its the fastest and easiest way to learn the entire neck of the guitar. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

About 10 years ago I took a brief break from touring and, at a friends insistence, took on a few students. The excitement I would feel as I watched them go from absolute beginners to being proficient and, in some cases, performers themselves is indescribable. I have taught all ages from 6 to giving pro players a few tips and helping them brush up on their techniques. Any opppurtunity to share my knowledge with someone else is always relished. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

I'm a musician and writer based in Uptown with 16 years of experience playing Violin and Viola. I graduated from the University of Chicago in 2018 and have studied Viola with Ronald Houston, currently teaching at Southern Methodist University, and Doyle Armbrust of the Spektral Quartet. I am currently a member of the Chelsea Symphony, was formerly the principal Violist of the University of Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and I'm a former fellow with the National Symphony Orchestra's summer festival in Washington, D.C. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I'm a recent graduate of William Paterson University, which I attended on a full scholarship, am a working jazz pianist in the greater NYC area. I have performed internationally (most recently a three month residency in Hangzhou, China) and at venues such as NJPAC, Carnegie Hall, Smoke, Mezzrow, Fat Cat, the Deer Head Inn, and the 9th Note, among others. I have shared the stage with luminaries such as Winard Harper, Duane Eubanks, Don Hahn, Bill Goodwin, Carrie Jackson, and Jerome Jennings, to name a few. Read More