Music Lessons in Midtown Manhattan, NY

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Euphonium French Horn Tuba

For beginning brass students, I typically work on developing on their embrasure and proper playing technique. Getting everything secure right at the beginning is the key to having players who are comfortable and will result in greater successful down the line. I believe that good breathing techniques are the key to playing brass instruments successfully. I will work with students on breathing, buzzing and creating a beautiful sound on their instruments. Read More

Instruments: Trombone

For beginner and novice students I start with discovering where they at playing wise and knowing their instrument. Repertoire wise I believe simple Arban studies and nursery rhymes are all a beginner needs to know to improve their skills. As a student becomes more skilled either Rochut studies or Tyrell's 40 Progressive Studies can really help a student tune their skills. For fundamentals, I believe air control, phrasing, and legato playing to be critical to improve. Read More

Instruments: Piano

My teaching experience has been quite varied, with ample experience teaching private students and group classes of all ages and ability levels. I have taught privately for more than 10 years, and have always encouraged a supportive, compassionate, and engaging learning environment. Most recently, I was awarded a Teaching Fellowship at the Mannes School of Music, where I was fortunate to be a professor of piano for undergraduate music majors. I have also held a teaching residency with the New York Philharmonic. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion

For beginners drummers I like to introduce them to rudiments. For aspiring orchestral players is always important to build a repertoire, this is a list of materials I use: 150 Rudimental Solos - Charlie Wilcoxon Bass Drum Technique - Ted Reed Portraits in Rhythm - Cirone Beyond bop drumming - John Ryley It all depends to what the students are interested in. For aspiring popular music performers the most valuable resource are recordings. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Trombone Clarinet Euphonium Tuba

For beginning students, I always start by learning the notes on the staff that corresponds with their specific instrument. Knowledge and confidence of this is crucial to the learning process. Next, I pick a method book to work through to learn the fundamentals. For trombone, I use Rubank's "Elementary Method." It is a great progressive studies that has great explanations, exercises, etudes, duets, mini-solos, scales studies, and more for young students. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Saxophone

For beginning students, I start with Accent on Achievement, book one. Once the student has gotten a grasp of the fundamentals, I then introduce solo repertoire that is appropriate for the student. I will always reference the method book if students are having trouble with a certain technique. For beginning jazz students, I start with the Greg Fishman Jazz books. Once students have mastered this book, I then switch to the omnibook and real book and allow students to learn and try to improvise a solo. Read More