Music Lessons in Water Mill, NY

Instruments: Flute Piccolo

For my beginning students who are children, I may start them with Hal Leonards Essential Elements and/or the Rubank Method. Once they begin to learn the basics and and can grasp the fundamentals, I can begin to introduce solo pieces. For adults, I try to learn about what level the student is and what their interests are so that I can cater my lessons accordingly. Again, it is important for children and adults that the learning remain fun so that they want to practice each day! Read More

Instruments: Drums

While at MSM, Ryan worked at Motts Hall II as a percussion teacher for their outreach program. After graduation, he would perform with Phil Markowitz, Jimmy Bruno, Zach Brock, and John Escreet and become a rotating member of the Christian Sands Trio. Notable past performances include a month-long residency in Shanghai for Lincoln Center, Boston Celebrity Series, Jordan Hall, Umbria Jazz, and EFG London Jazz Festival. Ryan is currently working as the primary drummer for the New York-based improv group Altus, and leading his band, the Ryan Sands Trio. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

In 2018 I agreed to become a Teaching Artist with Music Ascension and took on the role of Music Director for Indian Head Camp during the summer of 2018. At Indian Head I organized the curriculum for the students and recorded a full length album of songs that campers wrote. Since then I continue to write and produce music for TV, local artists and bands that I am actively involved with. I continue to grow as a private teacher through in home lessons and as a faculty member at Long Ridge Music Center in Stamford CT. Read More

Instruments: Piano

In my piano teaching I have devoted time in collecting pieces for all levels and abilities. I believe students should learn from a piece of music rather than a book of sterile excersices. As such, I am a great supporter of those pieces written for children by composers. One example for all is Bartok's Mikrokosmos, where each piece is a migniature composition for children. I have used Bartok's Mikrokosmos for more than 15 years and also made my beginner students write small pieces based on those principles found in Mikrokosmos.To complement this approach I choose pieces from all genre and music styles for more advance students. Read More

Instruments: Flute Clarinet

Playing clarinet has always been a staple of my life. I started mentoring and giving private lessons to younger clarinet students in high school and continued on from there! I have traveled to students homes and worked out of my studio ever since. I like to use a good combination of technique exercises and expressive studies to give my students a well rounded education and understanding of how to perform. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Music

For beginning students as well as intermediates, the book I use and recommend is Accent on Achievement, Book One for Trumpet by John O’Reilly and Mark Williams. First, the beginning of the book shows a picture of a Trumpet showing all of its parts, valves and slides giving the student a good idea of the instrument. It also shows a picture of a student with the correct posture when playing which is extremely important. Read More