Piano Lessons in West Islip, NY

Instruments: Piano

Lessons are structured: 1. Check the homework. 2. Work on mistakes and problems, then proceed to the new segment, if possible. 3. Detail and start practicing a new segment. Questions from the student and clarifications of them. 4. Write down the homework together with the student, focusing on goals, time and amount of practicing. Ask the student to repeat the homework out-loud. 5. Practical theory at the piano, practical exercises for fingers and technical skills from the day one. 6. Read More

Instruments: Piano Clarinet

For all of my students, regardless of level, playing together in lessons is a big part of my teaching method. Playing together in lessons fosters intonation, musical commutation skills and sound blending. For beginning students, I work a lot on sound production and tonguing through progressive etudes and duets. I incorporate performance environments early into my curriculum. For older students, I explore fundamentals through advanced etudes and work on solo repertoire, chamber music and orchestral excerpts. Read More

Instruments: Piano

My teaching experience dates back to even before my college days. I began to teach both in private lessons and institutions to various age groups. I was teaching during my undergrad and grad studies, and now I am a full-time teacher. I do teach both classical and Jazz. I am specialized in Jazz, but I have a very strong classical background (I studied classical piano during my undergrad even though my major was jazz). Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I am an innovative and energetic instructor who loves learning with her students. In 2012, I graduated with my Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Michigan, with a Minor in French and Francophone Studies. In my career, I frequently perform in Opera, Musical Theater, Jazz, and Dance, believing that a strong technique and performance principles can carry through genres. In addition to musical training, I have extensive acting and dance training, including classical ballet, improvisation, and authentic movement, which I often integrate into my teaching. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

Every lesson begins with vocal warm ups and breathing exercises, the importance of which can't be understated. Just as athletes wouldn't take the field without stretching, singers should never sing without giving their voice time to warm up. Warming up also serves as an excellent way for Jon to gauge student progress and make sure they are vocally healthy. After warm-ups, we move on to song study. Students and I work together to pick out the best songs for their particular voice. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Music Keyboard

For beginner students, I typically start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. Once the students starts to understand the fundamentals, I begin to incorporate elements of beginner music theory. I do this because it allows the student to take to fundamentals and gives them the tools to get creative with the knowledge that they already have. Once we have this, I begin to incorporate solo repertoire while we refine our music theory skills. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I began my teaching career as a teenager with beginning piano students in my home. I continued to teach part-time throughout university, adding voice to the mix, and have taught full time off and on since then between singing engagements, mothering my children and working. I have taught at the Elementary/Middle School level in a private after-school program in NYC, at Westminster Choir College in NJ for a year and began teaching on Long Island in recent years since my move to Centereach, NY. Read More