Saxophone Lessons in Stony Brook, NY

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute

I've been coaching students since I was in high school in Seattle, Washington, and have continued throughout college and after. I've worked in several different after-school programs in Boston and now New York, and I am currently running a piano workshop at the Brooklyn New School. In Boston I coached woodwinds at two different El Sistema programs, with emphasis on giving students the chance to perform and inspire themselves through that experience. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Saxophone Flute Drums Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Encouraging regular practice on a consistent schedule is one of the key points I like to emphasize for younger students, as it tends to help the student progress and gain a passion for the instrument. I've also found that a combination of classical and modern music can go a long way in helping students enjoy the piano and motivate them to practice and continue to learn. If a student isn't having fun in their lessons, then I'm not doing my job! Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet Music

I started playing in the 4th grade. I played in RB bands in high school and enrolled at Berklee College of Music where I have a Bachelor Degree in Composition. I also studied privately with Charles Banacos (increible piano and jazz teacher), Jerry Bergonzi, Joe Viola, Joe Allard ( whose Saxophone methods I teach, who was the teacher of every major saxophone player in his day including Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, Michael Brecker, and countless others ) , learned circle breathing from Rahsaan Roland Kirk, recorded 2 albums at Grammavision with Al Macdowell (Bass player for 40 years with Ornette Coleman). recodered and learned as much as I could grasp from Don Cherry and Ornette. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Bass Guitar Synthesizer Accordion Ukulele Euphonium French Horn Tuba Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I have been teaching private lessons for almost 10 years. Study with me if you like to gain facility and proficiency on your chosen instrument, an understanding of how music works, and the skills it takes to sound good and enjoy performing. I help my students reach their goals, whether it's getting a better technical understanding, learning to play for fun, or getting ready for a big performance or audition! I love working with kids and adults alike! Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

For beginning students I typically start with an elementary band method (Yamaha, Hal Leonard's Essential Elements, etc..). We focus on basic tone production, finger technique, note reading, and playing simple songs. Once the student is comfortable we begin to work out of a duet book. This gives the student a chance to "perform" with me at each lesson, tends to accelerate progress, and is fun! For advanced students we can focus on particular areas of interest.Whether jazz, classical or popular music is your focus, refining various aspects of tone and technique are always incorporated into the learning process. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Mallet Percussion

Finally, student interests are very important to me. If a student has a strong desire to learn a song or study a topic, it would be wrong for me to deny them this opportunity. The only exception would be if a student wanted to learn something that was seriously out of their current level. In that case I would find a simpler version for the student, or I would scaffold other songs or exercises to build the necessary skills that are needed to reach that goal. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

My teaching emphasizes development of the most important fundamentals of woodwind technique. Using a wide variety of repertoire and exercises, I focus on developing a solid foundation for tone production/intonation, articulation, and digital dexterity. At the same time, I encourage students to explore repertoire and style, both for listening and for performing, to help them find the music they really love. Methods books I use to help develop technique include: Rubank for all woodwinds Deville for saxophone Klose for clarinet Moise for flute Charlie Parker Omnibook for jazz studies Repertoire for performance can include anything the student requests, as well as basic material in a variety of western and eastern styles. Read More