Music Lessons in East Rochester, NY

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

The first thing a teacher must do is figure out how to motivate a student to practice. This can be done differently for different students. I will list some things that I have found that work. 1) Set a practice schedule/timer/alarm 2) I work on mindset and practice techniques to reduce practice session frustration/anxiety and increase positivity and feel good emotions 3) The student selects songs to practice in addition to scales, lesson book or repertoire 4) Parental support and priority 5) Listening to music outside of lesson 6) Practice one concept at a time 7) Limit faster passages to smaller groups of notes, practice slow with different patterns. 8) more in lesson!....... Read More

Instruments: Drums Conga Music Djembe

I graduated with a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Jazz Studies: Drum Set from the Eastman School of Music, studying music theory (aural and written), music history, and composition in addition to drum set and Jazz vibraphone. During my master's degree, I taught two courses taken by Eastman and University of Rochester students (drum set lessons, and also a basic drum set class). I have worked at American Music Centre (a music store/ school in Rochester) as a drum set and percussion instructor, and have multiple years experience teaching students from ages 3 to adult. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Ukulele Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I'm a dedicated and passionate educator and performer of music of all styles. I have degrees in Vocal Performance and Literature (doctorate and master's) from the Eastman School of Music and Music Education (Bachelor) from SUNY Buffalo State College. I have performed as a professional opera singer for over fifteen years singing multiple styles in famous venues around the United States, including the prestigious Carnegie Hall. Along with my singing career, I have played guitar professionally for nearly twenty years. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Music Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

Playing with one hand first, then the other, then using both hands. Working on rhythm and coordination follows that. For students that are in the intermediate-advanced stage, how the lessons go really depends on what the student's goals are and what they want to focus on. I have a lot of music theory knowledge and compositional skills, I can teach active listening, playing by ear, composition itself, improvising, arpeggios with fingerings, altered scales, hybrid structures of chords, tritone substitutions, voice leading, inner harmony, soloing, phrasing, and comping. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Every student is unique, and every student deserves a unique curriculum. That said, I usually start my absolute beginners off with open position chords and, when they're ready, open position scales - pentatonic and diatonic. We explore repertoire, often partially of the student's choosing. When this is established, we will dive into scales in all positions on the fretboard, and the corresponding modes for major, melodic minor, and harmonic minor. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I pride myself on instilling a passion for music and music making in my students. To do this, I make my lessons responsive to the particular needs of each student and I consciously draw attention to what a student does well as well as what a student can improve. In this way, my students develop a strong desire to refine and polish their playing and listening while acknowledging and enjoying what they do well. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Saxophone Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Banjo Mandolin Tuba Keyboard Djembe Acoustic Guitar

I am aware of the many people that have a great desire to learn about music. I view it as a language. Once you are able to read write and speak (singing or playing) you are fluent in music. I graduated from the Eastman School of music in 1977 and have played in several bands and sung in a multitude of singing groups during my life. I have taught music in all its forms for 40 years. Read More