Saxophone Lessons in Van Nest, NY

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

My teaching method is different for every student based on age, level, and their musical goals. However, the two things that I try to keep consistent among all of my students is a solid technical foundation and curiosity for different musical styles. For beginners, I typically start with the Rubank Beginner or Intermediate method book. Once the student has progressed to grasp the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce etudes and solo repertoire along with any pop or jazz songs they might want to learn. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I am an experienced and passionate musician and educator. I have performed and conducted educational programming worldwide and have taught in public schools in New York City. Additionally, I have conducted educational workshops on the university level. I have two albums under my name on a popular independent label and more coming out soon. I have also composed music for several films. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Euphonium Tuba

For beginning students, I like to start them on the Hal Leonard Essential Elements. I believe it moves at the proper pacing for young children. For intermediate students, Accent on Achievement works well because I find the music is more challenging. Also I require older students to know scales, primarily Bb, Eb, and F major being that they are the easiest to learn. It is from there that I gradually add a new scale (one every few weeks) until ultimately all 12 major scales are learned. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet

My creative apporach to teaching is shaped by the interests of each individual student, finding a personalized strategy to make learning fun! I work together with my students and their families to establish mutual goals and we acheive them through learning techniques that keep students engaged, interested, and motivated. I offer a well-rounded experience that establishes strong fundimentals in techinique and quality of sound production. To develop technical proficiency and an understanding of lyrical phrasing, I have intermediate and advanced woodwind students work out of the Klose, Ferling, and Rose etude books. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Saxophone Ukulele Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Every student responds differently to a method of teaching. Some react better to being challenged while others respond better to encouragement and positive reinforcement. It is my responsibility to find the method for each student and adapt accordingly. Another factor that is not constant among all students is their pace. I make sure that each student has goals that they can achieve at their current level, to avoid extreme frustration and to always keep them moving forward. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Harmonica

As I mentioned in the previous section, I started playing music in my early middle school days, as I needed an art requirement for school. However, I quickly grew to love music as an art form. In addition to teaching music (which I have done on and off for about 4 years), I also enjoy teaching in and of itself---I have worked as a substitute teacher, a personal trainer, and a martial arts master at various points in my life. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder

For beginning young students I prefer the Rubank Elementary Method for saxophone, clarinet and flute, and my own (unpublished) method for recorder. For older beginners, there are many books on the market. I'll work with what the student perfers. For more advanced students there are classic works such as Klose for clarinet or saxophone, solo works for competition or performance, or just for fun. I want recorder students to learn the 2 basic sets of fingering, since ensemble playing usually requires changing instruments. Read More