Saxophone Lessons in Rockaway Park, NY

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I am a passionate musician and educator who is dedicated to helping students not only learn to play their instrument but to become a well-rounded musician. I love working with students of all ages and sharing my experience and love of classical, jazz and world music styles. I graduated from the Eastman School of Music with a Bachelor of Music degree in Saxophone Performance and Music Education, and went on to receive a Master of Music degree in Jazz Saxophone Performance from Manhattan School of Music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder Piccolo Music

I am an adjunct faculty member at NYU, teaching saxophone, clarinet, and keyboard, and music theory. I began teaching saxophone when I was 15, to beginning players at local middle schools and quickly built a full studio of young saxophonists, clarinetists, and flutists. Since then, I have taught at Birch Creek Music Performance Center in Egg Harbor, Wisconsin, led masterclasses in San Jose, Costa Rica, Orange County, CA, Rochester, NY, and the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet Music

The method books I use vary depending on the student and the district they attend. If a student isnt committed to one particular type of method book, I usually suggest the Standard of Excellence series because I feel it has a logical order of progression in terms of concepts. For students interested in learning jazz, I typically use books written by Jim Snidero, Lennie Niehaus, Hal Leonard, and Bob Mintzer just to name a few. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Piccolo

Honestly, if you name it, I have some experience in playing it. I have competed in different states with both the wind ensemble and jazz band in high school and have held workshops with my college jazz orchestra mentoring saxophone students. I am a composer so I can not only teach how to play an instrument but also how to compose for the instrument and in general. I compose within many genres, from classical to ambient to jazz and hip hop as well as electronic styles. 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 Saxophone Keyboard

My teaching style is totally based on the energy and personality of the student. With younger students I try to be as patient as possible by allowing them to tell me exactly what they are looking to learn in the lessons. I then base my lesson plan on this interaction and build the relationship from there. I will assign tasks for the students to complete before the next lesson so that they are doing the work needed to improve their musicianship. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Saxophone Bassoon

I like my lessons to be fun! I like to start my lesson with a "music swap": we each play one minute of a song that we found that week from youtube or spotify and take 30-60 seconds to say why we found it interesting or inspiring (it can be any genre). We then aim to discuss and practice a new technical skill and use exercises to develop it, we work on a song from the method series or a song that the student wants to work on (I often transpose pop/rock songs for my students), and then rhythm training, ear training, and music theory concepts are interspersed throughout. Read More