Music Lessons in Hollis, NY

Instruments: Trumpet Saxophone

I love teaching music and working with students. I started playing saxophone in the fourth grade and had a passion for music. While at the University of Delaware, I played with the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensembles, and Marching Band. I also created my own jazz combo called "Tree". I had the opportunity to play with jazz legends, such as Buster Williams, Todd Groves, Larry McKenna, Dave Schiff, and Matt Harris. Read More

Instruments: Drums

My philosophy of music education is to provide students with meaningful and relevant experiences. Every individual has a personal connection with music, and as an educator, I wish to further explore that connection. Music is a form of communication and expressions; it is an outlet for one to better understand themselves as well as the world around them. I look forward to making music with my students, and to work with them to find their own personal means of musical fulfillment. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Music

Teaching has been an integral part of my own musical development. When not performing I was the resident trumpet teacher and embouchure specialist at the San Francisco School Of Jazz and have taught privately on an ongoing basis. "When given a gift as I have, I believe it is an absolute responsibility to share it with others." Trumpet is an especially challenging instrument to master and I believe that the correct fundamentals (embouchure studies, breathing, posture, tonguing, scales and interval studies) are critical components of musical success. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

I start with where youre at and having a general idea of where youd like to end up. Starting with a framework i like to think of teaching like building a house. What is the foundation of what youre looking for? And go from there. If anything having to do with folk or blues I wiuld start with the pentatonic scale. All things blues stem from this scale in one way or another. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Trumpet Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Generally, I can only meet with students once or twice a week. Because of this, it's very important that students be able to learn and progress on their own. I believe in the importance of teaching the skills necessary for self-improvement both as a instrumentalist and musician, whether it's figuring out how best to go over trouble sections or memorization. I create checklists for students so that they can clearly show me what they've practiced each day and for how long. Read More

Instruments: Piano Clarinet Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

Nothing is more rewarding than seeing my students develop their own style in music and art. This progress happens at his or her own pace. Therefore, it is important that I set realistic goals per student. This leads to a positive teaching and learning environment. I truly believe that art, in this case music, is connected with life and therefore life is connected with art; What I am trying to say is that no matter what the level of the student is, when you teach and learn the right way, it goes way beyond music itself. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

Mike C, both with vocals and instrumental performance fuses together a combination of classical training, old school jazz, and funk, altogether bringing a creative, and soulful interpretation to music.  Mike's heart and soul penetrates each note he plays in a fashion that is characteristic of performers double his age. At the same time he has brought the advancements of electronic music technology into his performance and composition expanding his sonic palette beyond "one horn, one sound." Mike's recording credits include the independant films "A Cup of Coffee" and "The Masterpiece." He has also performed live with The Crests, Melvin Sparks, in the Bahamas with Barry Newman, and appeared at such festivals as Woodstock, Riverhead Blues Festival, movie premier party for "The Prince of Central Park", The Bayou Music Festival, The Blues 2000 Festival, Lead vocals and saxophone for Pulse Productions, as a frequent performer both in lead vocals and sax at the Trump Casino's in Atlantic City as well as Empire City Casino.  Mike currently holds a Masters degree in Music Education from William Paterson University and is a New Jersey Certified music teacher with 16 years experience  teaching, K-6 band, general music, and chorus, music and movment for Autistic and special service students, as well as High School dance club. Read More