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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 Voice Drums Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar
Beginners - intermediate have a healthy helping of both theory ( notes, scales, chords), technique ( physical drills), and creativity! Meaning, songwriting, listening, learning favorite songs.. improvisation! This of course varies from student to student, but whatever they are physically and mentally able to handle at the time, is what we will embark on -- nothing challenging enough to keep anyone away from their chosen instrument -- it's supposed to be fun - 'PLAY"ing music! Read More
Instruments: Piano
In pretty much all my students' lessons I would include fun improvisation activities starting from the first lesson.I've found that pretty much everyone has the ability to improvise to a certain degree or another and that unlocking this activity early in training creates a sense of " familiarity" with music and the piano right away.I found that it's a wonderful way to explore the shapes and sounds of the piano through the experience of music first rather than the theoretical aspects of it. Read More
Instruments: Piano Cello
I work with beginners book sting builder and Suzuki. Students who start need to learn how to take a Bow first so I work how to take a Bow most time and play each sting slowly one count note only low part of Bow then 2 count slowly until half bow and then 4 count while bow. Intermediate work with klengel scale book,lee Methods Suzuki 3-5 Working make good sound and practice sight reading a tenor clef. Read More
Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Cello Viola
I have been teaching all age ranges for 10 years. My goals are to make technique and performance perfect, and also have an understanding of the music in its time period and what the composer would want. I also encourage students to write their own music, and also improvise. Read More
Instruments: Piano Synthesizer Accordion Music Keyboard
For beginning students who are children, I typically start with Hal Leonard’s essential elements. Once the students 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 students is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lesson engaging and fun, no matter their ability level. I ‘ve also certificated Yamaha Methods and Suzuki Methods when I was teaching in Japan. Read More
Instruments: Piano Drums Orchestral Percussion Conga Music Djembe
I began my teaching career almost 20 years ago at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music. While I was there, I worked with students of all ages and levels of playing ability. From that experience, I was able to not only develop a teaching method, but also to adapt and adjust that teaching method to accommodate for each student's unique personality and learning style. During my time there, I wanted to incorporate musical concepts that I learned from playing tablas in my lessons with drum set students. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Conga Latin Percussion
I use a variety of method books depending upon the needs, interests, and the age of the student. My vast collection of method books is an endless resource of proven pedagogical approaches that I employ in my practice. In recent years, Ive began using play along CDs that are combined with tempo controlling software so that students can slow musical excerpts down and hear themselves playing along with professional musicians. 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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