Saxophone Lessons in Wood Ridge, NJ

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Flute Clarinet Bass Guitar Recorder

I began teaching woodwinds when I was 18 while attending Northern Illinois University. I would help junior high and high school students in the area in private lessons. At age 23 I began teaching music courses at Istanbul Bilgi University, in Turkey. After leaving Turkey in 2001, I have focused on private lessons, teaching students of all ages and ability levels. I have been fortunate enough to perform with many incredible world-class musicians such as Quincy Jones, Phil Collins, Tito Puente, Chaka Khan, David Sanborn, Toots Thielemans, Paquito DRivera and Gerald Albright. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

I'm a professional jazz saxophonist and composer who has lived in New York and performed around the world for 15 years. I began playing sax when I was 9 years old and quickly developed an interest in jazz. I started playing my first gigs at around 14 and decided to devote my life to the saxophone and music. I received a Bachelor of Music from NYU in jazz saxophone performance. Some of the highlights of my performing career have included concerts in Italy, Russia and Brazil, as well as performances at Lincoln Center and the Village Vanguard in New York. Read More

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: Saxophone

I believe in a very organic and intuitive approach to teaching/learning the saxophone. Of course, my methods will be very different depending on the age group and level of experience each student has, but many of my core principles with remain the same. One of my beliefs as a teacher of the saxophone, is that it is equally as important to foster musicality as it is master technique. Many teachers spend a disproportionate amount of time of technique, and the end result is a very robotic player. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I had a very unique opportunity to be mentored by the legendary drummer/bandleader/NEA Jazz Master Chico Hamilton. I spent a lot of time with him on and off the stage. I was observing and loving all of these moments on tour and in the studio. I learned so many things from him, most importantly what it means to be a teacher. In order to teach, one should never stop learning. Read More