Music Lessons in West Newton, MA

Instruments: Cello

As regular cello practice is a vital part of improvement, I am a firm believer that practice should be treated as a privilege, an activity that sparks discovery and joy, rather than an everyday chore, and I work with my students to determine a style and schedule for practicing that allows them to enjoy spending time on the cello regularly, exploring musical possibilities and having fun with what they are playing while preventing musical burnout. Read More

Instruments: Cello

I try my best to lead all lessons with kindness and respect. If those foundations are there, I feel that is the best way to build trust with a student and motivate them to improve. I am very goal driven with my lessons, and want students to always be actively working towards both short term and long term goals while they practice. I also want to enforce the importance of repetition and consistency, as that is crucial for improvement on the instrument. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

I listen to what the student has to say, and also hone in on where they are currently in their musicianship. This allows me to really see what areas need to be focused on specifically. I strongly encourage students to push themselves and will often provide slightly more challenging material to help them improve. One of the most rewarding moments is seeing a concept/idea click with a student. The lightbulb moment is absolutely inspiring, not just for students, but for everybody else involved as well. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion

I believe that every student should learn how to read sheet music for his/her particular instrument. I think that learning basic rudiments and basic beats of various styles is beneficial to the student. That being said, I think that the lesson should be based on the student's goals. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Music

I believe there is no "cookie cutter" method to teaching so I tailor my lessons specifically to each of my students. I have found that having a strong foundation in classical music sets the tone for musical excellence for all styles, regardless of age or musical maturity. From that perspective I like to start all of my students on The Arban's and Herbert L. Clarke Method books for trumpet. As we progress, I will add other method books/repertoire that emphasize what the student wants to learn or to highlight an area the student or I think could use improvement. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Recorder Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I started playing bass at 11, playing in rock bands with friends. We gained a lot of experience performing in those days. I extended to guitar shortly after bass and began practicing other styles and improvising. Around age 16 I started getting into jazz and that is when I started to get serious about music. I went to salem state university and studied jazz and classical guitar as well as piano and ukulele. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Cello Bass Guitar

Depending on the level of the student and what they are looking to achieve through the lessons I would use a few different methods. I like to use guitar books if at all possible for beginners because its a great place to start. The fundamentals are where you have to start to build a scaffolding and practice books are great for doing this. I also like to use songs and tunes as a way of teaching different concepts. Read More