Saxophone Lessons in Cortlandt, NY

Instruments: Saxophone

I have been privately teaching since 2012, primarily teaching high school students in between classes in college. In 2017 I was offered a Graduate Teaching Assistantship from Florida State University, where I was assigned eight students and two saxophone quartets, as well as teaching the saxophone portion of the Woodwind Fundamentals class that was offered. These opportunities have given me a chance to refine my teaching style to cater to what each student needs, from sight-reading practicing, to playing duets together. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I began teaching private lessons eight years ago during college. By the end of 2015 I had a studio of over 30 students. I tend to focus on developing a student's sound concept first, so that they can get a beautiful sound out of the instrument at an early age. I also encourage students to play ear-training games and develop an independent melodic sensibility early on. My students have excelled in audition-only honor's ensembles, All-State Bands, band assessments, and some have even written their own songs and performed in recitals. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

I never work exclusively from one book or another. Finally, I'm a strong believer in the importance of having a strong ability with and (even more importantly!) understanding of the fundamentals of the saxophone, and of music itself. This means guided practice of the basic exercises in lessons, and guided analysis/breakdown of music to see the inner patterns at work. For my students that want them, I create practice guides after each lesson (written music with exercises discussed) and send follow up emails with suggestions for things to focus on in that week's practice. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute

For younger students, I find that book based methods are very helpful, and typically I go through the Hal Leonard Essential Elements Series. Once the student has a firm handle of the basics of saxophone (fingerings, embouchure, dynamics, etc.) then I start having them read etude books, and prepare pieces for recitals and other performances or auditions. For adults, I like to teach based on a goal oriented program. For example, If I have a student who is only interested in learning the saxophone for the sake of playing "Yakety Sax" or "The Pink Panther Theme", then I will tailor the lesson plan towards learning that while still working on the fundamentals of Saxophone along the way. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Keyboard

I typically tailor my lesson plans to the needs of the student. In general, I will allocate appropriate Etudes, Scales, and Repertoire that is inline with their abilities and the standards of their particular instrument. If they are preparing for an upcoming performance or audition, that may take precedent. But I also think there is equal need for unstructured time that allows students to explore music as a creativity medium via music listening, exploratory exercises, improvisation, or even composition. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

In my teaching approach, I cater to both beginners and advanced students, recognizing that each stage of musical development has its unique needs. For beginners, I focus on building a strong foundation in technique. We delve into the fundamentals of the instrument, ensuring a solid grasp of essential skills. But it's not all about drills and exercises; I introduce these concepts in a manner, making learning enjoyable and accessible. For advanced students, our journey takes on a different flavor. Read More