Music Lessons in East Rochester, NY

Instruments: Piano Guitar Music Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

I always try to adapt to the student's preferences as far as learning, playing, length of lesson, amount of information, all-around comfortability. Goals are important, but so is acknowledging a student's progress and accomplishment / improvement. I do not believe in negative reinforcement, I'm very patient. Piano is a very difficult instrument to learn, at first it can be extremely overwhelming (especially for a pre-teen) so it's super important to take it one step at a time and have the first couple lessons be laid-back and relaxed, with no pressure. Read More

Instruments: Drums Djembe

My goal as a teacher is to inspire students to develop as a passion, love, and appreciation for music and drumming. I tailor my lessons towards the students unique goals and interests so that they will be inspired to practice and so that they will be excited about what they are learning and progress quicker. As a teacher, I want to get my students actually playing music as soon as possible. Read More

Instruments: Piano

Music cannot be fun if the only feedback a student gets or a teacher gives is critical. I stress the importance of comfort at the piano: no pain, no gain is never applicable to becoming a better pianist! Therefore, I encourage my students become very aware about how their physical gestures influence the sound that they produce. This ensures that students are confident and in control when approaching new, more difficult pieces of music. Read More

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: Bass Guitar Double Bass

The methods I work in are very particular for the specific student. I work to cater my teaching to the student rather than the other way around. It really is important to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the individual student to be able to determine what is the best course of action. For early beginners I work with the Simandl book, as well as exercises and etudes that are common such as Sturm, and Petracchi. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Music for me has always been a potent and even spiritual form of expression and communication. I try to share my passion with the students I instruct. After picking up my first guitar in the year 2001, I knew I had found my life path. I learned early on to integrate theory and jazz concepts into what I was playing - namely psychedelic/progressive rock, jam music, and funk. It is also worth noting that I have experience playing cello and upright bass in orchestras during my high school years. Read More

Instruments: Drums Conga Music Djembe

Throughout my education in music, I realized just how much power for good a teacher or professor has in presenting their classes in ways that are enjoyable and accessible, while still inspiring the students to learn. In college, I realized how unique and different each student was, and how one student's goals in learning greatly differed from another's. All of the most memorable instructors I ever had always went the extra mile, and went above and beyond what I the student asked of them. Read More