Piano Lessons in West Orange, NJ

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I am an energetic and passionate educator who enjoys teaching all kinds of music to students of all skill and age levels. A graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in Jazz Studies, I've been professionally performing and recording music of many different genres such as jazz, rock, blues, rnb, pop, folk, swing, and country for over ten years. Performing all over the state of Michigan, the Portland Oregon metropolitan area, along the west coast, and now the New York metropolitan area has been an incredibly enriching experience that has shaped my principals and values, personally and musically. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Orchestral Percussion Djembe

I began to teach music when I was in college, giving private drum lessons to several students. Since graduating, I have spent time teaching at several different after school music programs, teaching drum set and piano to students of all ages. I found that I really enjoy communicating with students and helping them find their own passion for music. To me, music is about having fun - this is what I strive to bring out in our lessons! Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

There’s a million different approaches, and we’ll find the one(s) that work best for you. Everyone (even more traditional classical players) tend to take their own path to guitar mastery. This is in part why new techniques and styles of playing are popping up all the time! When starting out, I like to lay a good foundation; teaching students proper hand positioning and posture first. I like to combine this with some single string exercises and some basic chords and strumming patterns that can be used musically, and applied to learning parts or simplified versions of songs the student is familiar with and enjoys listening to. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Bass Guitar Double Bass Oboe English Horn Music

I always create my own custom lesson plans for my students that are tailored to each student's individual development, needs, and musical taste. A really important starting point for all of students is knowing what kind of music they love. I like to help my students develop a list of "goals", pieces, songs, styles, etc that they want to play and work up to, and I use this to create our lesson plans. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I always tailor the method to the student and never the student to the method. If you want to play Joel we will work on that, If you want to play Chopin we will work on that and if you want to improvise we will work on that. I an a sucker for music theory and can talk about it for weeks (which is what I do at MSM). I am also a bottom line practical guy - whatever is your goal on the keys, If I can get you there - I will. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

I began learning classical piano when I was around 9 years old. By the time I was 15, in addition to learning guitar and drums, I was the musical co-director, along with my sister, at the church my family attends. At 17 I switched focus to Jazz which I continued to study through university, Jazz piano being the concentration of my music major. In addition to this I've written and recorded several guitar compositions, as well written and music directed for musical theater productions both at school and professionally. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Cello Viola Electric Violin Fiddle

I began playing violin at the age of 12. Over the years, I developed my skills further by joining my local community orchestra and getting lessons from renowned instructor pedagogues. I received my Bachelor's degree in Music Education at the State University of New York at Fredonia in 2017, where I performed regularly with the Symphonic and Chamber Orchestra, and learned about how to teach students both individually and in a school setting. Read More