Music Lessons in River Vale, NJ

Instruments: Double Bass Music

I began teaching in college 6 years ago and have helped students successfully prepare for and win ensemble auditions at the college level. For the double bass, perhaps the most athletic instrument, I know it is imperative to focus on proper posture and technique to avoid injury. This bodily awareness (rooted in years of yoga practice) is a central part of my teaching philosophy. As a composer, I encourage my students to pursue their passions by creating works for the bass that draws on what we have been learning in the studio and practicing at home. Read More

Instruments: Piano Bass Guitar Double Bass

My ultimate goal is to help each student of mine have a musical connection that they can take anywhere with them in life. It reminds me of a wonderful quote I hears a couple of years ago "everyone should have a little bit of music in their life: and that has been something that's stuck with me through my teaching every week. I love seeing my students light up over learning their favorite songs and getting little aha moments that change how they see music as a whole. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Synthesizer Harmonica Ukulele Recorder Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I believe that creativity is important and I use Alfred and Hal Leonard books as well as theory books to help with the lessons. For adults, I try to find out what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and fun, no matter their ability level. I also try to teach music theory, chord progressions and all the musical scales in the major keys. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Flute Ukulele

I approach teaching on an individual basis, meaning it's important to me to know the goals, hopes, passions, and if applicable, the worries or insecurities the student is feeling. In a first lesson I identify something that is special and unique about each student, and build their technique from this place. I find this helps the difficult areas feel a little less challenging because they already have something they feel proud of when working through the discomfort of something new or intimidating. Read More

Instruments: Voice

I never teach two people exactly the same way, because each singer is unique. Each singer has an individual set of physical, mental, and emotional characteristics. My goal as a teacher is to address each of these three categories, allowing my singers to grow in each of them. I will tailor my instruction to meet the needs of my students, to draw from their own experiences, and to use analogies and examples from the things they know and love. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Piccolo

When working on a solo piece we will look at it as a whole, go over any terms or passages that the student has questions about and then work in sections as well as addressing the entire piece and the musicality of how to approach and play the piece. My goal is to not only help my students learn their instrument but also to help them to learn about and appreciate many aspects of music wich is one of the greatest joys of teaching. Read More