Music Lessons in Vauxhall, NJ

Instruments: Piano Voice Organ Synthesizer

The way I teach is the way I was taught, using methods that were in place when I was a kid, some of these techniques date back to the 1800's. I believe in teaching scales, and also the Carl Czerny exercises and etudes, pieces that are designed to get beginners up to the advanced level. I incorporate elementary theory into the scales by including chord cadence patterns and inversions so as to make the technical transition from method books to playing actual classical pieces and songs as smoothly and as quickly as possible. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Synthesizer Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I like to set realistic goals for students to achieve. The most important thing is that they develop a love and passion for the language of music and learn to communicate through it! This takes a lot of time and can be frustrating at first so I often have students focus more on completing tasks than on how long they're playing every day. This helps them maintain a healthy relationship with music where they feel like they're achieving something right from the beginning! Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Viola Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My music pedagogy is influenced by Zoltan Kodaly, mile Jaques-Dalcroze, Edwin Gordon, and Carl Orff. For teaching violin, while I employ elements of the Suzuki Method, Strictly Strings, and Metodo Nicolo Violin to instill discipline and establish ,precision, I set up a lively, interdisciplinary, and creative environment by incorporating calisthenics, games, dancing, singing, and storytelling to encourage versatility and innovation. Read More

Instruments: Flute

For beginning students, I like to focus and builds traditional "executive skills" such as embochure, posture, hand position, ear training, and articulation. Once the student has a grasp of fundamentals, I introduce scales and solo repertoire appropriate to their development. For advanced students, I focus on building upon their knowledge of scales, etude methods, harmony and chordal progressions, as well as solo repertoire--while incorporating elements of improvisation, extended techniques, and electronics.  I play duets with each of my students regularly! Read More

Instruments: Voice

My favorite part about teaching music is the look on a student's face when something finally clicks. The most important part of my music classes is that my students are having fun as they're learning. I want them to feel safe and comfortable, especially in making mistakes. Mistakes are a big part of the learning process, especially when you're working with something as tricky as your voice. If a student is not comfortable putting themselves out there it's going to be much harder to reach their full potential. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Trumpet Trombone Ukulele Euphonium Tuba

Simply put, I love music. I listen to music and make music and teach music in different styles, on different instruments, in different ways. I've recorded and performed on trombone, trumpet, bass, guitar, ukulele, tuba, and more. I've played with symphony orchestras in Carnegie Hall and with rock bands in Brooklyn basements. I've shared the stage withjazz greats Maynard Ferguson, Jimmie Lunceford, Conrad Herwig, "Blue" Lou Marini, and Jeff Coffin (Flecktones), androckers Dee Snider (Twisted Sister), Scott Weiland (Stone Temple Pilots), and Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater). Read More