Voice Lessons in Ardsley, NY

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder

In my private lessons I emphasize building a strong foundation in rhythm, intonation, and note accuracy.  I incorporate learning theory, and playing with musical intention into every lesson to develop maturity, even in young musicians.  My students are comfortable reading music, and have all the skills they need to practice effectively.  In addition, I have prepared many musicians for successful concerts, festivals, and gigs. I create my own custom lesson plans and materials to cater to the students needs.  For young beginners, I recommend the KJOS Standard of Excellence book. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Acoustic Guitar

I'm a positive and encouraging teacher. When I've worked with children and with special needs high school students, I have always tried to be supportive and positive rather than negative as my way of teaching lessons or guiding them. When it comes to teaching voice and guitar, I'm the same way. I want to bring out the best possible singer or guitarist in my student, and so my approach is a totally supportive one, and I bring a lot of enthusiasm to my lessons. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice

I think voice especially has always been viewed as a bit of a mystery... you can't see or touch your voice as you sing, unlike playing instruments, so there's a certain amount of imagination that has to be involved. I do my best to straddle making singing as tangible as I can, and approach things somewhat scientifically ("This muscle is used in this way," etc.) while also inspiring visualization ("Send your sound out into the distance," etc.) I also really think it's important for musicians to be diverse, so not only will we learn chord and strumming patterns on a guitar, we'll also learn how to read simple lead lines of solos, etc. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Synthesizer Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Double Bass

For beginning students, I typically start with the Hal Leonard Method Books. Once the student can get the basics down I start with basic rock and pop tunes, or whatever music the student happens to be interested in. Forintermediateor advanced players, I try to gage where the student wants to go with the instrument and try to help them any way I can with theory or performance. I try to keep the student engaged and having fun no matter what but at the same time becoming a better musician. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Organ Synthesizer Recorder Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion

Positive reinforcement is key. I never learned from the mean or the overly strict teachers. In fact those teachers pushed me in the opposite direction of wanting to pursue music professionally. By going at the pace that is comfortable to the student, and praising them at every hurdle they encounter, the progress made can be exponentially greater than if the student is rushed to prepare a piece of music they don't truly care for in the first place. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I'm a dedicated and passionate vocalist who is looking forward to sharing my love of music and talents with others so that they too may develop a passion for singing. I graduated from Western Connecticut State University with honors and received a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance. I plan to receive a master's degree in opera studies or vocal pedagogy and then continue to study for my doctorate, (DMA.) I was also born with a special gift known as absolute (perfect) pitch. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Recorder Conga Latin Percussion Keyboard

I covered a little of this in previous paragraphs but I utilize the students ability to learn without the instrument in hand and utilize themselves as the instrument. One example of this is I tea h them to mark time with their feet and subdivide the best into qurters,eighths, etc... and then test them thru aural rhythmic dictation. Also with little children I work into the lesson movement thru pitch high and low and show SOUND thru spatial relationships. Read More