914-269-2340
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23 Years
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Here are just a few of the many teachers offering Piano lessons in Cortlandt . Whether you are looking for beginner guitar lessons for your kids, or are an adult wanting to improve your skills, the instructors in our network are ready to help you now!
Instruments: Piano Voice Violin
I believe you already on your journey to who you want to be, so it is just a privilege to help and watch you get there. I am big on encouragement as well as introspection, so that when I'm not around, you know the questions to ask to work through any challenges you may be experience. Getting you out of your comfort zone is also a focus of mine. A lot of people are closer to their goals than they think, if they would just try. Read More
Instruments: Piano Voice
I began teaching private piano and voice lessons in the Boston area after college, and taught for eight years at after-school programs. I learned my style from my mother, who taught piano out of our home when I was growing up. She would try to make learning the basics fun and would choose pieces to work on that were musically interesting for kids, so that once they mastered the notes, they would enjoy playing it for themselves and for friends. Read More
Instruments: Piano Keyboard
For beginners, I like to use the Music Theory books from the "Royal Conservatory" as well as the Piano Books from the Same publisher. It is very important for me to adapt the teaching style to the character and abilities of the students. It is also important to focus on the weaknesses of the students and try to improve those parts as well. I believe that challenging a student with works slightly beyond their technical abilities is also a good way to stimulate faster progress and better creative results. Read More
Instruments: Piano Accordion
I have about 25 years of teaching experience. I have been teaching at music schools with a variety of skill levels and musical instruments. I love children, and they love me. I always feel that I am welcome in students' homes. After every instruction with me, I encourage students to practice on their own. I can tell if there is progress or not. Children should be playing and enjoying and having fun during lessons. Read More
Instruments: Piano Voice Keyboard
For my beginning students, depending on their age, I typically start with a music book, such as John Thompson, Faber or Bastien. I also use a Schaum Note Speller which is a lot of fun and helps progress with music reading. I also love to supplement these books with single sheet music favorites of the student. It is important that my student enjoys each lesson and playing a piece they may be familiar with encourages them to practice. Read More
Instruments: Piano Keyboard
My teaching experience started when I was college student, as I began teaching for composition, Harmony, Counterpoint and piano, also sight-singing for students at the local church and school, and have been teaching some of the students in their home for last 2 years. One of my important goal of teaching is to teach my student that how to enjoy the music and how to tell their own story through music. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice
The love I have for music is immense and I have always considered that sharing the knowledge that I have acquired throughout my life to others is a way to leave something of you in this world. I studied music from the age of 4, I started at the conservatory of music in Ecuador and years later, I graduated from Ramapo College in New Jersey obtaining my bachelor's degree in arts with a major in music. Read More
Instruments: Piano Flute Recorder Piccolo
If you play more than one instrument, how did you decide to start playing the second? (Or 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc)!
I think it’s a smart move for any serious student to learn several instruments. My start was in piano, after starting flute, I learned recorder for early music and even took a try at saxophone and French horn for awhile in college. Learning any other instrument gives the student a fresh outlook on music overall.
When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
I felt music would be my path after about a year of studying flute, it just felt natural for me to use music to express myself each day. Music is not an easy road to take in life but is extremely rewarding.
Does music run in your family? Tell us a little about your musical family members.
Most everyone in my family studied music and my paternal grandfather and great grandfather were both professional musicians. My other siblings are involved in theater, singing, movies and stand -up comedy.
What is your favorite style/genre of music to play and why?
Even though I love all types of music, my forte is music from the 17-19th centuries. I love the variety of ensembles and types of pieces written during those centuries and never tire of the various forms presented.
What is your dream piece to perform and why?
I really love to play anything I feel tells a story that I happen to enjoy playing, so this would en-compass many pieces, both old and new.
If you weren't a musician what do you think you'd be doing instead?
It’s likely that I would be doing something creative and dynamic that took me to many places and situations. This would fit my personality better as I am not one to be stuck in an office all day.
If you have a Music Degree, what is it in (Performance, Education, Musicology, Theory, Composition, etc) and why did you choose that degree?
I decided to get a degree in performance in order to concentrate on my primary instrument. While in college, I also improved my piano skills and participated in every type of ensemble I could and performed as much as possible. I also worked hard at theory and sight-singing/ear-training to make it possible to learn music much faster.
What does a normal practice session look like for you?
Each morning I play through all my scales in patterns, including major and minor scales, thirds, sixths and arpeggios. I also practice many tone and technique exercises, rotating to new ones each day. In the afternoon session I will then work on any literature I need to prepare.
Do you use specific teaching methods or books? (Ex: Alfred, Bastion, Suzuki, Hal Leonard) Why did you choose them if you did?
I really like the Rubank series of books as they have attached, easy to read fingering charts and progress each week with a new tonality. Other books by the same publisher include scale pattern books and duets and solos.
What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
One of the biggest challenges of flute playing is to maintain one’s technique. There is no shortcut or gimmick for this, just daily disciplined practice.
Have any of your students won awards or been selected for special honors? How have they succeeded?
A number of my students have scored at the very top range of the NYSSMA state exam in NY and several have gotten perfect scores to join the All State band and orchestra at the annual NYSSMA convention. In addition, several of my students have scored very highly on the RCMA exam. They all did well because they did their scales every day and kept up on their sight-reading and practiced their solo pieces as they were instructed to do.
What musical accomplishments are you most proud of?
Any time I can play a piece I really enjoy playing the audience reacts in a positive way, I feel a great sense of accomplishment. I did dream of playing concerts in beautiful European cities in old churches and castle when I was young, and eventually those dreams came true at festivals in France and Italy.
Why did you choose your primary instrument?
I was not the best piano student but really loved music, my teacher told me to try something I may like. Having heard the flute in Beethoven symphonies at home, I remember loving that sound so decided to give it a try. After a few weeks I started to get a good sound and then just fell in love with it.
When will I start to see results?
Any student studying music will see results as soon as they follow the path laid out for them by their teacher. What they get out what will be from what they put in.
Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
My first teacher was my beloved piano teacher, who was not a very good flutist, but was a great musician. He taught me to express myself and tell a story with each and every note I played and to never lose the joy and wonder of music.
How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
Once anyone shows an interest, it's time to begin. For flute players, it's important to find the correct instrument though so that the student can play comfortably.
What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
The key to correct practice is a combination of quality and quantity, you need quality first then build the quantity. It's important to practice every day or as consistent as you can with whatever schedule you have.
23 Years
Since We Started
41,456+
Happy Customers
10,769
Cities with Students
3,123
Teachers in Network
Trusted as the industry leader, for over 21 years the teachers in our network have been providing Piano lessons in Cortlandt to students of all ages and abilities.
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