914-269-2340
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23 Years
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Here are just a few of the many teachers offering Piano lessons in Cortlandt . Whether you are looking for beginner guitar lessons for your kids, or are an adult wanting to improve your skills, the instructors in our network are ready to help you now!
Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Synthesizer Ukulele Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar
Music lessons should be fun - I have practical tips for practicing but the student's desire to learn will be the drive. The most important thing is to keep picking up that instrument - even if its for 5-10 minutes a day. By modeling that all teachers are still students, I create a safe and supportive environment. I like to hear what kind of music my students are listening to and incorporate that in the process, as it excites and motivates students to play the music that they love to listen to. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Viola Ukulele
I typically start violinists with the Suzuki method books and I start my piano and guitar students with the Alfred and Essential Elements books. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp on fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire appropriate for their first performance. However, if a student isn't learning effectively from the book they were originally given, I either change the method book or compose my own exercises that I think the student would benefit from. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Acoustic Guitar
For beginners (piano) , 5 years and above, Hal Leonard, John Thompson, play, rest, play the piano together, For vocal students, I start by listening first to any song that they would like to sing, or find a song that will fit according to his/ her voice and make singing fun (at the beginning) and less stressing. Overall I make sure that my student is happy after a session. I hold annual recitals because that's where is see the ultimate produce of a one year hard practice. Read More
Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder Piccolo Music
My teaching takes the form of private lessons on flute, clarinet, and saxophone, and courses at NYU. In each educational situation, I aim to establish clear goals and assignments, build confidence through positive reinforcement, and explain concepts in an engaging manner appropriate to each student. I enjoy teaching students with diverse learning goals and strengths and learning about the unique ways every student connects with music intellectually and emotionally. I set realistic goals for my students, but emphasize the importance of the process more so than the end result. Read More
Instruments: Piano Voice Keyboard
I work with people of all ages ranging from 4-100! Many of my students sing in bands or in karaoke and have never had a voice lesson before. My frequent students are guys who want to improve their vocal stamina while singing in a band, usually with guitar. I have also worked with singers preparing for a musical theatre role, auditions, and concerts. I love performing, myself, but I love seeing my students in action. Read More
Instruments: Piano Organ Keyboard
I have almost every beginner piano method book available. I do not go by just one piano method book page by page. I find this method very boring for the student. What I do is make a copy of each song or exercise from different books that I have that I think is better for the individual student. Each student is so different and after I get to know them I will know how to teach them so they will have fun and enjoy learning music. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice
All students come with different strengths and weaknesses so I decided what needs to be done after hearing them. Basic technique is very important to consistently sing in any style. A singer must have stable, and consistent breathing as well as proper vocal balance. I have a substantial number of excursuses to begin training these aspects with a singer at any level. I structure the first part of a lesson as technical work and the second half as repertoire. Read More
Instruments: Piano Flute Recorder Piccolo
If you play more than one instrument, how did you decide to start playing the second? (Or 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc)!
I think it’s a smart move for any serious student to learn several instruments. My start was in piano, after starting flute, I learned recorder for early music and even took a try at saxophone and French horn for awhile in college. Learning any other instrument gives the student a fresh outlook on music overall.
When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
I felt music would be my path after about a year of studying flute, it just felt natural for me to use music to express myself each day. Music is not an easy road to take in life but is extremely rewarding.
Does music run in your family? Tell us a little about your musical family members.
Most everyone in my family studied music and my paternal grandfather and great grandfather were both professional musicians. My other siblings are involved in theater, singing, movies and stand -up comedy.
What is your favorite style/genre of music to play and why?
Even though I love all types of music, my forte is music from the 17-19th centuries. I love the variety of ensembles and types of pieces written during those centuries and never tire of the various forms presented.
What is your dream piece to perform and why?
I really love to play anything I feel tells a story that I happen to enjoy playing, so this would en-compass many pieces, both old and new.
If you weren't a musician what do you think you'd be doing instead?
It’s likely that I would be doing something creative and dynamic that took me to many places and situations. This would fit my personality better as I am not one to be stuck in an office all day.
If you have a Music Degree, what is it in (Performance, Education, Musicology, Theory, Composition, etc) and why did you choose that degree?
I decided to get a degree in performance in order to concentrate on my primary instrument. While in college, I also improved my piano skills and participated in every type of ensemble I could and performed as much as possible. I also worked hard at theory and sight-singing/ear-training to make it possible to learn music much faster.
What does a normal practice session look like for you?
Each morning I play through all my scales in patterns, including major and minor scales, thirds, sixths and arpeggios. I also practice many tone and technique exercises, rotating to new ones each day. In the afternoon session I will then work on any literature I need to prepare.
Do you use specific teaching methods or books? (Ex: Alfred, Bastion, Suzuki, Hal Leonard) Why did you choose them if you did?
I really like the Rubank series of books as they have attached, easy to read fingering charts and progress each week with a new tonality. Other books by the same publisher include scale pattern books and duets and solos.
What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
One of the biggest challenges of flute playing is to maintain one’s technique. There is no shortcut or gimmick for this, just daily disciplined practice.
Have any of your students won awards or been selected for special honors? How have they succeeded?
A number of my students have scored at the very top range of the NYSSMA state exam in NY and several have gotten perfect scores to join the All State band and orchestra at the annual NYSSMA convention. In addition, several of my students have scored very highly on the RCMA exam. They all did well because they did their scales every day and kept up on their sight-reading and practiced their solo pieces as they were instructed to do.
What musical accomplishments are you most proud of?
Any time I can play a piece I really enjoy playing the audience reacts in a positive way, I feel a great sense of accomplishment. I did dream of playing concerts in beautiful European cities in old churches and castle when I was young, and eventually those dreams came true at festivals in France and Italy.
Why did you choose your primary instrument?
I was not the best piano student but really loved music, my teacher told me to try something I may like. Having heard the flute in Beethoven symphonies at home, I remember loving that sound so decided to give it a try. After a few weeks I started to get a good sound and then just fell in love with it.
When will I start to see results?
Any student studying music will see results as soon as they follow the path laid out for them by their teacher. What they get out what will be from what they put in.
Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
My first teacher was my beloved piano teacher, who was not a very good flutist, but was a great musician. He taught me to express myself and tell a story with each and every note I played and to never lose the joy and wonder of music.
How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
Once anyone shows an interest, it's time to begin. For flute players, it's important to find the correct instrument though so that the student can play comfortably.
What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
The key to correct practice is a combination of quality and quantity, you need quality first then build the quantity. It's important to practice every day or as consistent as you can with whatever schedule you have.
23 Years
Since We Started
41,456+
Happy Customers
10,769
Cities with Students
3,123
Teachers in Network
Trusted as the industry leader, for over 21 years the teachers in our network have been providing Piano lessons in Cortlandt to students of all ages and abilities.
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