Piano Lessons in Leonia, NJ

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola

I started playing the piano at age 3 and the violin at age 12. I have always been involved in the perfomring arts. I have been teaching for over 25 years. I started teaching when I was in high school. I went to The King's College and majored in Music Education. I have also performed throughout the US and Europe. Right after my college graduation I went to study music and art and concertized through out Italy and Switzerland. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Keyboard

For beginning students, I prefer to use the Alfred's Basic Piano Course books. Once the student gets down the fundamentals and becomes more technically proficient, I introduce solo repertoire and get them started with some fun and musical etudes to improve finger dexterity. I also like to make the lessons fun and entertaining for the kids by playing some music games or giving rewards. For adult students, I try to find appropriate beginner piano books. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet

My teaching is based on the thought that everone can be comfortable with making music. Since comfort comes best when things are fun, I like to focus on music that the student likes. This usually involves improvising as soon as a student knows a few notes, which creates a chance for self-expression and leads to confidence in playing with others. I also place emphasis on phrasing, My experience is that many students get wrapped up in the mechanical process of playing at the expense of musicality. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Saxophone Flute Recorder Piccolo Music

For Beginner students I have them start with the recorder. The instrument allows for a smooth segue to the flute being that the student can see their fingers and the recorder does not require the same air speed and lung capacity that the flute does so the student can pace themselves. For intermediate or advanced students I will go through orchestral excerpts, etudes, or technical studies with them. I follow the same model with my adult students, if they are just starting out I will recommend beginning on recorder to solidify fingerings however the mental and physical capacity of an adult versus a young child are very different. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion

I am experienced professional mallet percussionist and bandleader with an emphasis on jazz and improvisation. In 2013, I was the first jazz vibraphonist be accepted in to The Juilliard School where I had the opportunity to mentor classical percussionists on how to improvise. Prior to Juilliard, I first attended Oklahoma City University studying music education/percussion performance. After studying for two years at OCU, I decided to transfer to Berklee College of Music to study with Ed Saindon and Dave Samuels, and to be closer to my mentor, Stefon Harris. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Viola Saxophone Drums Bass Guitar Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Electric Violin Fiddle Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Highlights include performing with: Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks, Abigail Washburn, Clay Ross, Jayme Stone, Jacob Jolliff Band, Loudon Wainwright III, Mark Guiliana, Jeff Taylor and more. Bobby has recently been heavily involved in recording with chart-topping pop artists in the US. He is most recognized for playing violin on Grammy-award winning album folklore, by Taylor Swift. He has also recorded for Clairo, Lourde, Diana Ross, Bleachers, Phosphorescent, Florence and the Machine, and more. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

I typically create my own lesson plans and try to cater them to the student. Most recently I've been working with trying to find a balance of teaching music theory and practical piano. When teaching theory, I often refer to Kotska's and Payne's "Tonal Harmony" for the order of the curriculum, and when it comes to exercises I will either write them out on the spot to demonstrate something to the student (I also feel it is important to SHOW the student how to MAKE music, ie. proper note notation, and symbol shape), or prepare them in advance if the content is more complex. Read More