Piano Lessons in Islandia, NY

Instruments: Piano Trumpet

For beginning piano students, I use a series of books designed for beginners called Dozen a Day. It is very organized and it teaches the student in a very clear way. For my trumpet students I use Arbans, Clarkes. Schlossberg, and 45 years of experience playing trumpet. As to a philosophy of teaching, I believe in never ever being mean to the student as that causes a negative experience. Instead of the mean strict scolding method, I prefer an upbeat positive 'you can do it ' approach!! Read More

Instruments: Piano

I follow no particular method, although I try to inculcate a fluid technique. I have been greatly influenced by Gyorgy Sandor's ideas (author of On PIano Playing and a former teacher at the Juilliard School), but have evolved my own approach. I have found that a student's motivation and commitment are more important than the methods used. Consequently, I modify my "curriculum" to suit their individual personalities and talents. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

Originally from Kansas City, I studied vocal performance, choral conducting and music education at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. I have directed and music directed productions all over the United States, including the current Off-Broadway production of Honestly Abe. I have performed a wide variety of leading roles in everything from opera and operetta, to musical comedy and straight drama. He has been a featured performer with such esteemed organizations as Music Theatre for Young People of Kansas City, The Kansas City Symphony, The Kansas City Lyric Opera, Indiana University Opera Ballet Theatre, the 13th Street Repertory, La Muse Venale Acting Troupe, and the Bloomington Playwrights Project. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

Hello My Name is Steven , I am a classically-trained singer with over 5 years of private teaching experience. I am extremely passionate and motivated by teaching and learning. I am currently working on my masters at Brooklyn College. I continue to seek out new and exciting musical opportunities. Though I'm classically trained, I prefer to teach Broadway, pop, and jazz. I enjoy performing with my church choir and The Nubian Conservatory. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder Music Keyboard

After graduating from college, I began teaching privately in my home state of Texas at the middle and high school levels in New Braunfels and Austin. Soon, I began teaching adults as well and when I moved to Washington D.C. in fall of 2006, I became the Music Instructor at The Art and Drama Therapy Institute, a center for adults with developmental disabilities. This experience had a great impact on me in terms of understanding the big picture in that the goals and methods relating to the technical aspects of music lessons, but the grand value that music offers in terms of the emotional and spiritual rewards as well. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Viola

Music is deeply personal; one must get to know each student's own personality, interests, and connections to music. Early on (both in the teaching relationship and in each lesson) one must assess where the student is, as to technical and musical growth, and with the music at hand. Then one finds, models, explains and encourages the next steps the student can achieve. Clear guidance and dialogue about what will happen outside the studio (listening, practice, rehearsal, performance) helps turn the weekly cycle of lessons into an upward spiral of progress, achievement, and reward. Read More