Piano Lessons in Peter Cooper Village, NY

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

Mike C, both with vocals and instrumental performance fuses together a combination of classical training, old school jazz, and funk, altogether bringing a creative, and soulful interpretation to music.  Mike's heart and soul penetrates each note he plays in a fashion that is characteristic of performers double his age. At the same time he has brought the advancements of electronic music technology into his performance and composition expanding his sonic palette beyond "one horn, one sound." Mike's recording credits include the independant films "A Cup of Coffee" and "The Masterpiece." He has also performed live with The Crests, Melvin Sparks, in the Bahamas with Barry Newman, and appeared at such festivals as Woodstock, Riverhead Blues Festival, movie premier party for "The Prince of Central Park", The Bayou Music Festival, The Blues 2000 Festival, Lead vocals and saxophone for Pulse Productions, as a frequent performer both in lead vocals and sax at the Trump Casino's in Atlantic City as well as Empire City Casino.  Mike currently holds a Masters degree in Music Education from William Paterson University and is a New Jersey Certified music teacher with 16 years experience  teaching, K-6 band, general music, and chorus, music and movment for Autistic and special service students, as well as High School dance club. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice French Horn Music Keyboard

My teaching style is a something I consider to be a hybrid: I combine the academic knowledge I have gained since I started my first piano lesson at four years old, along with the real life experience I obtained as a full-time traveling musician. I take this unique style of teaching and apply it in a very engaging and stimulating learning environment. I like to use the Kodak Method of Education when approaching the teaching of younger students. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I believe that setting goals and "deadlines" with the student, for example regarding the learning process of a piece, helps to improve better and faster, but also limits the frustration that an unsuccess can cause. I am always focused on how to make my lessons enjoyable, fun and useful. I am always aware of posture and relaxion of the student; two main factors that can help the student to be active and tireless throughout the course of the lesson, and during their own practice time. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Music Keyboard

Choosing appropriate repertoire that appeals to the students and helps to address technical deficiencies, as well as showcases their natural gifts, is of utmost importance. Highest on my list of teaching goals is to create a highly inclusive learning environment, where students with a range of abilities, across intersecting social identities, feel at home in the space. To sing powerfully and technically well, from the heart and spirit, requires incredible vulnerability, and I am mindful of the different learning styles and range of vocal abilities. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I graduated with my Bacholers in Music and Pyschology with a focus on opera voice in 2009. In my performance program I really grew as a vocalist and learned how to overcome my own obstacles and improve my vocal technique for myself. I feel confident now in sharing my experience and my education with my students so they are able to really grow and improve as well. I started professionally and privately studying vocal technique when I was 17 and prior to that I was performing musical theater in school and in community performance groups. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I have the luck of doing what I love for a living. The fact that I can help children and adults learn the instrument that I have played all my life, brings me true joy. I enjoy seeing my students go from beginners, who may sometimes be shy and uncomfortable about their lack of knowledge; to feeling proud, accomplished, and confidant when playing. Nothing brings me more joy than seeing the look on my students’ face’s when they finally reach that note that was so difficult when they first began my class. Read More