Music Lessons in West Hartford, CT

Instruments: Guitar

I always ask the students what their goals are. I include the parents as well in this conversation for the younger students, as I find that some parents want their children to learn how to read beginning at a young age. Other parents may specify that their child may simply want to learn how to play their favorite songs. For adults, I go with what they'd like to learn and take if from there. Read More

Instruments: Drums

Those values would follow him through his time at the New England Conservatory and Manhattan School of Music. At New England Conservatory, Ryan led the drum chair for NEC's Jazz Orchestra and multiple ensembles. In 2016 he was selected to participate in the Panama Jazz Festival as a performer and educator. Shortly after, he was selected for his school's Honor Ensemble, where he and his bandmates would perform and give clinics in the Boston community. Read More

Instruments: Voice

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with a variety of beginner voice books based of the students interest. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire appropriate for their first recital performance. 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. Read More

Instruments: Piano

In my piano teaching I have devoted time in collecting pieces for all levels and abilities. I believe students should learn from a piece of music rather than a book of sterile excersices. As such, I am a great supporter of those pieces written for children by composers. One example for all is Bartok's Mikrokosmos, where each piece is a migniature composition for children. I have used Bartok's Mikrokosmos for more than 15 years and also made my beginner students write small pieces based on those principles found in Mikrokosmos.To complement this approach I choose pieces from all genre and music styles for more advance students. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I started teaching right after college in 2009. I had taken a job working for Apple Inc and taught a few days a week at the Pop Music Academy in Stamford CT. Eventually I was able to leave Apple and work full-time for the Pop Music Academy before taking a job as the Music Director at the School of Rock in Madison. It was at School of Rock that I honed my skills and developed my philosophy of teaching. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

Eradicating bad habits early will help make picking up the instrument every day a much more enjoyable experience and reaping the rewards from this progress every week. I also emphasize self-discovery and experimentation in a student's development and daily practice. I make it fully known their practice and development is entirely personal and it is up to them how much they practice and how far they would like to go with their playing. Read More