Saxophone Lessons in Hewitt, NJ

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I had a very unique opportunity to be mentored by the legendary drummer/bandleader/NEA Jazz Master Chico Hamilton. I spent a lot of time with him on and off the stage. I was observing and loving all of these moments on tour and in the studio. I learned so many things from him, most importantly what it means to be a teacher. In order to teach, one should never stop learning. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet

My creative apporach to teaching is shaped by the interests of each individual student, finding a personalized strategy to make learning fun! I work together with my students and their families to establish mutual goals and we acheive them through learning techniques that keep students engaged, interested, and motivated. I offer a well-rounded experience that establishes strong fundimentals in techinique and quality of sound production. To develop technical proficiency and an understanding of lyrical phrasing, I have intermediate and advanced woodwind students work out of the Klose, Ferling, and Rose etude books. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Piccolo

Dependent on the instrument, I generally use essential musical workbooks as well as my own scales and exercises that create a better base to suppliment the workbooks.  I find that these general books are useful to keep the student's growth on track, however, my own sound exercises alllow wind players to usually progress at a quicker rate.  For more advanced students, once we have discussed what each student hopes to get out of their lessons and what they generally see themselves doing with their instruments in the next few years, we can decide what pieces to work on and what skills to develop. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I first began teaching while attending Berklee. I would substitute teach for upper classmen in local music schools in the Boston area. After Berklee I taught full time for one year at a local music store. While attending MSM I taught group classes in New York City middle schools on Clarinet and Flute. After MSM I started my full time teaching studio where I was on faculty at 3 schools in the Westchester area. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

One of the greatest benefits that my students get from me is my ability to teach. I wrap the learning around each student's personality. This has a lot to do with my master's research around cognitive learning . I teach students based on their desires. For example, if a student is interested in being a fireman then the lesson plans should be built around being a fireman. My saxophone students can expect a systematic approach toward learning. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Saxophone Flute Clarinet Music Keyboard

I focus on tone production, articulation and phrasing. Sight reading, improvisation and music theory follow next. With clarinet and saxophone students I spend a lot of time on reed selection and care. There are so many misconceptions about reed strength and how it relates to mouthpieces that I could talk about it all day (and usually do). I work on clarinets and saxophones every day and consider myself proficient in identifying problems with instruments and then fixing those problems. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I approach each student individually, working with strengths and addressing weaknesses in a relaxed, no-pressure environment. Individual musical interests (such as jazz, pop, classical, or rock genres) are incorporated into each lesson, helping to streamline and facilitate the learning process. Lessons focus on:Beginning students learn to make music from the first lesson starting with simplesongs, and eventually withme joining in playing duets at each lesson. Tone production Finger technique Music notation Rhythm Sight reading Playing by ear Phrasing and interpretation Improvisation At each lesson we work with short term goals, leading to long term improvement. Read More