Music Lessons in Upper West Side, NY

Instruments: Trumpet

I'm an enthusiastic and motivated instructor who loves having the opportunity to assist my students in building not only their skill, but also to build their love for music to match or even surpass my own. A strong love and desire are very important in teaching because if you don't enjoy what you're doing, your student won't either. I have had the opportunity to perform and be featured at many venues including the Blue Note Jazz Club in New York, the Rutgers University- New Brunswick Jazz competition and Jazz camp. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I always try to make our lessons less like a lecture and more like a jam session. When analyzing a piece of music, I strive to relay the importance of knowing exactly what you're playing. Through this, the student gains a deeper appreciate for the piece and music in general, as opposed to just cycling through a chord progression. Most lessons consist of 1/3 technique and scales, and 2/3 repertoire. I always make sure to ask the students about what they like to listen to most because that will dictate which songs we learn during our lessons to make it more fun and relatable for them. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

One of the most valuable life skills that music lessons can impart is the skill of objective self-analysis. This means being honest with oneself, both about areas that need improvement (weaknesses), but also existing strengths! I encourage students to use this skill in a musical context, with the hope that they then carry it out into other parts of their lives. My greatest strength as a teacher is my flexibility- I make sure to prepare for every lesson, but if a student comes in with a curveball that takes the lesson in a new direction, I'm happy to go with the flow, and to try and build and expose the deeper relationships between different areas of music and the saxophone. Read More

Instruments: Voice Music

One thing I love to implement early on is that your student shouldn't put themselves in a box. Many singers refer to themselves as "an opera singer" or "a belter" and I believe that all-singing styles benefit each other. There is a healthy way to explore all singing styles, and being fluent in those styles will make you more versatile throughout your whole life. For beginning singers, I would begin with the basics of music reading and simple melodies that would be recognizable to their ears. Read More

Instruments: Cello

With over 10 years experience of in performing and teaching cello, I have built a versatile background. As a formal adjunct cello instructor at Heidelberg University, I taught applied cello lessons, string method class, ensembles, and recruited students. I have taught both advanced students and beginners. As an orchestra player, I have been the Acting Principal/Cello member of the Canton Symphony Orchestra, OH; Firelands Symphony Orchestra, OH; Chengdu Philharmonic, CHINA for several years. , I have won competitions in both solo and chamber music. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet

For all beginning students, I like to start out with buzzing exercises and embouchure technique. This is the most fundamental part of brass playing. Having a strong foundation in creating a sound consistently and efficiently makes learning everything else about brass playing infinitely easier. For this, I use the Arban method book and the "Buzzing Book" by James Thompson. Once these fundamentals start to become comfortable, I like to introduce some simple songs to apply the new techniques to. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Flute Clarinet Bass Guitar Harmonica Banjo Ukulele Mandolin

Every new student comes to their first lesson with particular skills and musical interests. My job is to assess the students abilities and lead them down the appropriate paths to achieving their musical goals. My goal is to cultivate musicianship.  Students are encouraged to develop technical skills as a means of creative and emotional expression.  Sight reading and improvisation are taught simultaneously with music theory and composition. Through individualized lessons and ensemble experience, students are encouraged to reproduce and create music as early as possible. Read More