Music Lessons in Westfield, NJ

Instruments: Piano Voice Flute Piccolo

For small children, I used kid-friendly method books provided by the music school I was working with at the time to keep them engaged and entertained. For older children and adults, I simply ask about their prior musical knowledge and the music that they enjoy so we could use that as inspiration. For beginning students, I recommend the Standard of Excellence or Essential Elements which are both great options for the basics of their instruments and both include fingering charts and fingerings for each new note they learn. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Ukulele Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I teach out of instructional books, notably books by Hal Leonard, Mel Bay, and Alfred. Sometimes, I use sheet music print outs, or draft up my own exercises.  I go back in forth in a non-conventional manner, adapting accordingly to the student's needs.  I like to incorporate exercises and warm ups to improve and enchance technique.  I also teach songs that the student would like to learn.  I'm very patient and rarely rigid in my approach, although I do stick to a general routine that allows a focused approach to learning. Read More

Instruments: Piano Organ

For all students I stress fluent music reading and a natural stress-free technique. For the early stages I have had good results with Faber's Piano Adventure series, finding that these progress at a reasonable pace and build reading skills logically. For technique I like FJH Music's Accelerando series. These short exercises have a big impact on the student's technique and reading, and bring maximum results in a short time. I also like to assign keyboard harmony drills of my own invention which help the student understand how chords are built and how they are linked within each key. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

I was taught primarily in the William Leavitt method, and use these resources to introduce students to the basics of sight-reading, theory, and technique. My personal preference is not to adhere too strictly to any one method however, instead focusing on the application of theory within a more active musical context. Improvisation is extremely important to developing a working understanding of music in my opinion, and much of my lessons are based in actively performing progressions with students, focusing on both comping and soloing. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Keyboard

My teaching experience started in 2002 when I enrolled at the Conservatory of Music. Initially, I accepted private students in my home whose age ranged from 12 to 50 years years old. Then, after some time I decided to join the YMCA Music Department in Manila, Philippines. Since then, I have regularly taught students at home and at the YMCA studio. When I graduated, I started teaching music in the College of Music for students majoring in Voice and Choral Conducting. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Flute Ukulele

I can also teach people to sing and play piano at the same time. My teaching philosophy is to take away negative self-talk like "I can't" or "I'm bad at this" and replace this with "this is uncomfortable right now, and together we'll make it comfortable". So many times people get hung up on what seems like an unsolvable issue, and the resolution can be as simple as fixing a vowel. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Music Keyboard

Hello! My name is Jonathan and I am very passionate about teaching music to all people from all ages and backgrounds. I graduated with a Bachelor of Music from Southwestern Adventist University. In addition to this have performed in several countries such as South Korea, Germany, Italy, France, Czech Republic and many more as both an ensemble member as well as featured soloist. In addition to this, I have also performed at the Morton H. Read More