Music Lessons in Media, PA

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I have published my own series of method books to cover a wide range student needs. In addition, I often create materials depending on the student's interests. For more formal styles, I will use traditional methods created by Hal Leonard, Mel Bay, Frederick Noad etc.. My philosophy of teaching is that lesson materials must match the students interests and ability. Methods and materials must be carefully chosen or created to move them to the next level of playing, without frustration or boredom. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I first began teaching while still completing my Bachelors degree at William Paterson in 2011. Most of my students were beginning level piano students, but I had a few more advanced students as well as some people studying saxophone with me. My teaching philosophy is to combine teaching the technique of an instrument with learning songs as well as theory and improvisation/composition. Everyone learns technique, but learning music that I wanted to learn, learning how those songs were written (theory), and eventually elaborating on those songs (improvisation), and writing my own music (composition), was what really got me deeply engaged in the act of practicing and making music, and I have found over several years of teaching that it keeps my students engaged and enjoying the learning process. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Djembe

Every drum student is different so I customize each lesson to fit the particular students needs and goals. I always start out with fundamentals and rudiments on the snare drum, Focusing on stick position posture and proper technique. Once these basics are established we move onto a basic drum set method book covering notation, basic drumbeats and drum fills. From there we branch out into various styles of drumming, very often we move to jazz drumming from there as that is usually the first time students are offered to play drum set in their school music program. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Flute

For beginning piano students, I usually employ the Faber or Alfred Series books. They are intuitive and the various books (Lesson, Theory, Technique, Performance, etc) complement each other well! They also have an "older beginner" series that is great for teens and adults that are new to piano. I also encourage my students to try composition, even if it is very simple melodies. This is usually after they have established a good grasp on beginning music theory concepts.  For beginning voice, we begin half with the essential signing technique as well as the beginning musical concepts such as pitch, rhythm, etc. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone

I have been teaching students for about 15 years now both in private and class room settings. I teach a range from 3 all the way up to 65. I am very patient and detail oriented. All my students learn a solid foundation while facilitating room for individuality and creativity. My style of teaching is all about keeping students engaged and motivated to get better at their craft everyday. I also encourage students to apply my methods to teach themselves and others when I'm not around. Read More

Instruments: Piano Bass Guitar Double Bass

A flexible teacher can establish a clear methodology for instructing their class room while being open to adjustments. In the case of music, this could be missing instrumentalists, inconsistent skill levels amongst the players, or disinterest amongst the students. A passionate teacher can draw out interest and work ethic from any student if they can convey that they are eager and excited to be in the classroom, sharing their craft. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Banjo Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I play the banjo, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and drums. From 1976 to 1980,I was a member of The John Herald Band, and played venues from the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, California to Carnegie Hall in New York. He then formed The Lewis Brothers, Philadelphia's premier bluegrass band, which performed at the Philadelphia Folk Festival as well as hundreds of clubs throughout Philadelphia, the Northeastern US, and Europe. Next, I expanded to new musical areas and formed a tight four-piece blues band. Read More