Saxophone Lessons in Hillsborough, NJ

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet Music

While Joey loves to preform, he is passionate about teaching. He has been teaching since 2011. His teaching career began through the non-profit Bravo Waukegan in their Bravo Buddies Summer Camp. He began as the woodwind instructor and through the years worked to become the Artistic Director, managing all aspects of the month long camp. Joey has also served as the Director of Bands for Sistema Ravinia in Lake County and has worked as a teaching artist with the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic and for the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

My methods are based on what each student wishes to accomplish with these lessons. I have a wide variety of exercises/books/recordings that are guided to help the student reach their maximum potential. In particular, I specifically focus on sound, technique, reading, simulating performance scenarios, school auditions, recitals, and improvisation. I approach all these topics with care so that the student learns the most in a stress free environment. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I have been teaching music lessons, both on a freelance basis and at the Laconia Music Center, since graduating college in the Spring of 2009. I have also been playing woodwind instruments in a professional capacity since that time. My work as a performer informs my work as an educator and vice-versa. I am afforded the great luxury of musical dynamism by living in New York City, and I am as comfortable in a jazz club as I am reading classical music, or in the horn section of a funk band. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

One of the most valuable life skills that music lessons can impart is the skill of objective self-analysis. This means being honest with oneself, both about areas that need improvement (weaknesses), but also existing strengths! I encourage students to use this skill in a musical context, with the hope that they then carry it out into other parts of their lives. My greatest strength as a teacher is my flexibility- I make sure to prepare for every lesson, but if a student comes in with a curveball that takes the lesson in a new direction, I'm happy to go with the flow, and to try and build and expose the deeper relationships between different areas of music and the saxophone. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

My teaching method is different for every student based on age, level, and their musical goals. However, the two things that I try to keep consistent among all of my students is a solid technical foundation and curiosity for different musical styles. For beginners, I typically start with the Rubank Beginner or Intermediate method book. Once the student has progressed to grasp the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce etudes and solo repertoire along with any pop or jazz songs they might want to learn. 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: Saxophone Clarinet

On the basis of one's skill and prior experience, I will devise a plan starting with ideas of fundamental musical ideas (scales, arpeggios, key signatures, reading music) all the way to more advanced concepts of harmony and placement. Having the opportunity to hear a student's wishes will help me align myself with their goals and intentions musically which will inform my concepts. While there is an expectation that the student gives assistance in their difficulties to decide what is best for them, there also will be a thorough diagnosis of skills and weaknesses, for a better learning experience. Read More