Piano Lessons in Red Hook, NY

Instruments: Piano Voice

It is important for both me and my student to have long-term and short-term goals. Long-term goals may have to do with technique--for voice, examples may be releasing tension or singing with proper breath support. Short term goals are more linked to repertoire and can be technical or musical. An example on the piano may be playing through a piece with a particular metronome marking. I have each of my students use a practice log so both the student and I can keep track of short-term goals. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

Each student is so unique, so I tailor my curriculum to fit their goals. However, I ensure that each student walks away with ownership over the fundamentals of singing technique, so that they can grow on their own. We begin with a strong foundation and breathing technique, then weave in supported singing. With emphasis on breathing, we liberate the sound and expand the range. Then, we work to find resonance and beauty in the sound, so that the student may sing whatever style they choose! Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Thank you for visiting my page. I guess music found me. On a family trip to Mexico by way of Arizona when I was eleven years old I remember guitars seemed to be everywhere. I asked my mom and dad if I could have the toy. When we got home from the trip I registered for music lessons and the guitar soon became my favorite toy. Three things happened that changed my life - after a few months my lesson was "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" and I remember that if I practiced it hard enough I could get it to sound right. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Acoustic Guitar

Born in South Africa and raised in Oxford, UK, I began my career as a professional touring and recording musician at the age of sixteen. As a member of the band Stornoway, I had the incredible privilege of touring the world and playing some of it’s most renowned stages, performing live on the UK’s biggest music television program, “Later...with Jools Holland”, alongside Jay Z, Foo Fighters, Norah Jones, and Sting, recording live sessions in the infamous Abbey Road studios for mainstream BBC Radio programs, being interviewed by top music journalists as well as performing on some of the BBC’s main prime-time radio and television political programs including Andrew Marr’s talk-show, and receiving a silver record from BMI for record sales - all before the age of 25. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Acoustic Guitar

I begin assessing where the student's current level is by having them sing a song of their choice for me. Depending on what we need to work, I will spend the lessons focusing on certain areas to improve (e.g. breath support, jaw/neck tension, posture, pitch, range, diction, phrasing, etc.). Each week, the student will be assigned things to work on during the week that we accomplished in the lesson. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Music Keyboard

My teaching experience dates back to my college days, and have been consistently teaching students in my home studio and conservatories/colleges more than 18 years. Encouraging regular practice is one of the key points I like to emphasize for younger students, as it tends to help the student progress and gain a passion for the instrument. I encourage my students to enter competitions and recitals, since I believe the performance motivates and help to grow any level of students. Read More

Instruments: Piano

For children I use the "Teaching Little Fingers to Play" series by John Thompson. I do this because because the top of each page has a diagram of how the notes on the staves as well as the diacritical marks are played on the piano. When this series is done done I try to find music that is rich in nuance and subtlety if the the student likes classical music such as the "Favorite Classical Melodies" or the "Performance Primer level" series by James Bastien or American classic music ranging all the way from Stephen Foster to St. Read More