Saxophone Lessons in Riverhead, NY

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Bass Guitar Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Acoustic Guitar

Depending upon what area/instrument of music I'm teaching, I use a number of different materials, including (but not limited to) Tonal Harmony (Kostka, et al.), Essential Dictionary of Music Notation, Accent on Achievement, Hal Leonard's Essential Elements, or Rock House Method (McCarthy). The skill level of the student also dictates what resources I'll use. In addition, I believe that the student should have control over his/her development as a musician, so I encourage my students to create a list of songs they wish to learn how to play. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Piccolo

Effectiveness is key when practicing so I have always encouraged multiple practice sessions a day but smaller amounts of time (15-20 minutes) so that you can really improve and see changes in your playing and musicality. This also helps keep the student from becoming frustrated and developing a negative relationship with the piece, practicing, or music in general. I would like to assist and encourage my students to enter contests, recitals, and NYSSMA as well as compose their own material so they can stay motivated and feel accomplished while challenging themselves. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet Synthesizer Music

Currently, my teaching experience involves substituting for a drum class in one of the New York City boroughs, and assisting musicians or other campers when needed at Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts when I worked there as a Music Staff Intern. I have worked with multiple teachers throughout my musical journey and experience, and I have since picked up the teaching styles and methods that they taught me. I now want to use my experience and what I have learned to help other students or aspiring musicians, and help show them how fun and enjoyable playing their respective instrument or instruments can be. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

Over the years, my students have consistently placed high in the Western Region Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Orchestra, and several of them have gone on to the extremely competitive Connecticut All-State Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Orchestra. Four of my students have successfully auditioned for the summer program at Interlochen. I have had two of my high school aged students have gone on to Harvard, one to Amherst, and three to Yale - all of whom played in the Yale Concert Band, Yale Jazz Ensemble, and/or Yale Symphony Orchestra. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder Euphonium French Horn Tuba

For beginning students just starting out method books like "Hal Leonard's Essential Elements" is very popular and useful or other similar method books that public schools use. In addition to working from the popular school method books and any band music I will assign different things for my students to work on to keep our lessons fun and engaging. Each student will receive instruction from me that will inspire them to practice and want to learn more and get better. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Bass Guitar Synthesizer Recorder Piccolo

Personal success and happiness from playing music are the most important things for a student to achieve when taking lessons from me. I will work students hard in lessons, but treat them fairly and expect only what I know they are capable of achieving. I may differ slightly from other teachers in that when it comes to outside practice requirements, as I will teach to he amount of effort the student shows me. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

I believe one of the most important things in teaching is meeting the student where they are. It is vital to know a student and their strengths and weaknesses before giving them cookie-cutter assignments. As such, much of the early stages of my lessons involve a fair amount of adjustments and experimentation until we find the pace and flow that works for the student. Once we have found that pace, setting realistic goals and finding ways to engage and encourage the student to keep up a consistent practice schedule become the main priority. Read More