Music Lessons in Holtsville, NY

Instruments: Voice

For children, it is important to know the fundamental (produce sound, pitch, breathing, etc) and it has to be FUN! I start off with the book Singing Lessons for Little Singers and when start introducing songs as the student progress. For adults, it's best to know what each students want and need and I'll walk them according to their needs. Techniques and repertoire comes hand in hand and I like to have a balance of both.I want to create an environment where the students will be learning what they want to learn balanced out with what they need to learn. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Flute Synthesizer Keyboard

My teaching style is a mixture of a relaxed, conversational feel combined with strong focus. I will constantly insist on stern focus on the material being played- offering big picture ideas as to why a piece is being practiced in a certain way, while asking the student to tell me why such and such a method makes sense. Very small mistakes in the music will be cause to stop and refocus. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I have been teaching in the areas of greater New York City and Long Island for the last 12 years. Making a student's musical aspirations has always been a great source of joy for me. Mainly, I focus on building a student's repertoire of his or her favorite music, so that practice can be a source of expression and actualization instead of obligation and drudgery. Once the student has started exploring their musical preferences, we can continue developing perfect technique, as well as practical improvisation and theory. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet

Like Most trumpet players, I follow and believe in using essential trumpet books (Arbans, Clarke, Flexus, Schlossberg, etc) and use others that depend on the desires of the musician. For children and/or beginners, I incorporate a little keyboard, to help with some theory basics, since all the notes are laid out. I have always struggled with my musical interests differing from my teachers while growing, so I develop my lessons based on each student, and play music that will both incorporate the teachings of the lesson, and also play music that is enjoyable for them, as well as etudes, or anything they would like to work on. Read More

Instruments: Drums Latin Percussion

For beginners, I always start with very basic technique elements such as the proper way of holding the drumsticks, how to position the drum set and having a proper posture while playing to build good habits right from the beginning. From there, I like to work on simple rudiments, and connect this with how to use the rudiments to play simple grooves. I will also bring charts with written grooves of popular songs and we will start playing along with songs, to get used to the feeling of playing in a musical context. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Clarinet Keyboard

Beginning Piano Students: I use three books in the Piano Adventures series: (Performance, Lesson, and Theory). I work composition into the lesson using the Orff-Schulwerk technique of elemental music creation. In addition, I supplement written musical work as needed. Voice Students: I interview all voice students first to see what their goals are in voice study. I then begin vocal study with the study of posture using Alexander Technique ideas, and a study of breathing and support techniques. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder Euphonium French Horn Tuba

For beginning students just starting out method books like "Hal Leonard's Essential Elements" is very popular and useful or other similar method books that public schools use. In addition to working from the popular school method books and any band music I will assign different things for my students to work on to keep our lessons fun and engaging. Each student will receive instruction from me that will inspire them to practice and want to learn more and get better. Read More