Piano Lessons in Hillsdale, NJ

Instruments: Piano Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Keyboard Djembe

For beginners I usually start them off with two books, Stick Control and Funky Primer. I then pair what they learn from those with real world examples and try to incorporate that into songs that they want to play. For more intermediate students we focus more on developing their musical vocabulary and all around versatility. We go more in depth on rudiments and using them around the kit. We also start covering music industry fundamentals and the skills they need to market themselves as a musician and how to put together or find a band to start gigging with! Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I feel that while it is important that students make progress, every student must move at his or her own pace. I like to set goals for students in terms of technical growth and potential repertoire, and believe in acknowledging the improvements a student makes, whether over time or in the moment. Though it is wonderful to see a student gradually understand a concept, there is nothing more exciting for a teacher than seeing a student have an "Aha!" moment. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I always start with applicable musical theory to help the student understand the basics of piano and what are the proper techniques to play the instrument. The same applies to voice lessons. After a student is able to read music on the basic level and knows the placement of notes on the scale, we proceed to the basic repertoire and practice. Each student is individual, so based on the pace I create a schedule, which always includes implementing the learnt material more and more, so that student can perform basics automatically correct. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Saxophone Clarinet

I have a very creative teaching style. My emphasis is on student-centered learning. Learning should not solely be myself giving instruction and the students listening. In order for students to grow, discovery on their part needs to happen through guided questioning. The more this happens, the more that students are inclined to make their own discoveries and become their own teachers/motivators for improvement. I am also a firm believer in having the student explore who their musical heroes are. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Cello Viola Electric Violin Fiddle

In 1994 Oleg Rutkovsky immigrated to USA and settled in Fort Lee, NJ. He made his American debut recital in Memphis, TN in 1995. Since 1994 he performed with such orchestras as New Jersey Symphony, Albany Symphony, New York Virtuosi Chamber Symphony, New Philharmonic of New Jersey, Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra, Bachanalia Chamber Ensemble and appeared in a few Broadway productions such "Ragtime" and "Music Man". In 1996, Oleg was invited to perform with the Houston Festival Orchestra as Concertmaster under the the button of Maxim Shostakovich, son of the the great Russian composer, Dmitry Shostakovich. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums

I approach teaching as a means to help the student develop their own relationship with music development. I firmly believe that all music students are their own best teachers, and a great teacher helps the student learn to discover themselves. With that in mind, I aim to help the student learn the fundamentals of their instrument, expose the student to new musical avenues and ideas that inspire them to work further, and challenge them to reach for new heights in their understanding and proficiency. Read More

Instruments: Piano Keyboard

I have been studying piano since age 5 and teaching since age 13, my love of music and teaching it to others only increasing over the years. When I was about 11 years old, I quit piano and was not planning to return to music. But a very wonderful and inspiring music teacher invested in me, so I am extremely passionate about encouraging young musicians and helping them to love and develop their musical gifts. Read More