I graduated from the Juilliard School in 1969 and have had a wide-ranging career as teacher, performer, and composer. In addition to my classical background, I'm highly experienced in popular playing styles, which I am happy to teach alongside music of the classical repertoire.

Although I expect and help the student to achieve excellent performance results, I don't impose rigorous professional standards on a student who simply wants to play for their own pleasure. The important thing is for the student to enjoy their lessons and receive satisfaction from their progress, with the option of branching out into more concentrated study if they should develop professional or semi-professional aspirations later on.

My name is RJ J., and I am a jazz guitarist and composer currently living in Philadelphia.

I began playing guitar in 2002, and mostly focused on rock and blues playing early on. I took lessons at a nearby music store for about 3 years as a beginner. While still studying at this store, one of my teachers offered me a job teaching lessons; however, I was too young at the time to do so. This experience began to make me think seriously about making music my career. I decided to focus on jazz and classical music while in high school, and have pursued these styles more exclusively ever since. I began studying with guitarist Carol Hamersma when my interests shifted toward jazz. Carol refined my basic jazz skills, but also exposed me to classical guitar technique and repertoire very early on. While studying with Carol, I also started taking lessons with guitarist Vic Juris, a well-known veteran of the jazz scene. Vic was also tremendously helpful as a teacher, and I feel that...

I have years of experience working with students of all ages and levels. Many of my students have gone on to pursue music in university, win competitions, or simply have enjoyed playing for fun and with friends after moving away from home. I tailors each of my lessons to the interests of my students. I have taught anything from classical pieces to pop songs in order to ensure the student is getting the skills they want out of lessons with me. I myself was classically trained at Temple University and Western Washington University, and I hold a Master's degree in performance. My passion is teaching, and I would love to share the fun of learning music with you!

PLEASE NOTE: Despite my travel radius, I do not travel to New Jersey due to the toll. If you live in New Jersey, please schedule your lessons at my studio, rather than your home. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Ian's vast and diverse experience on the Northeast music scene has given him the background that rivals the best of many professional musicians working today. From band tours of the US, Canada, and Hong Kong and a handful of recordings under various acts, Ian remains busy in his home city of Philadelphia. Ian has performed with such acts as Jazz great Grover Washington Jr. to the Bucks County Symphony Orchestra.

Teaching Experience

Ian has taught private lessons in Bass both electric and acoustic, piano, and guitar for the last eight years in which he has also lent his talents to the esteemed Paul Green School of Rock and DayJams Summer Rock School. He is also involved with a number of after-school programs in the Philadelphia area where he teaches private lessons, music theory, and rock ensemble.

Musical Education

Ian's musical training began with piano at 7, saxophone at 9, self-taught guitar at 11, and finally electric and acoustic bass in high...

Education-
Associates in Applied Science
Major- Sound Recording and Music Technology
I can teach all styles from reggae, funk, jazz, rock or blues to heavy metal. I can also introduce students to recording and preparing for the studio. I am currently in TOOL tribute band and working on several recording projects.
Paul Green School of Rock Music, Music Director 2001-2009
Philadelphia/Southampton, PA
Produced and directed 25 concerts of varied genres of music
Responsible for teaching students reading techniques, song form, sound production and drumming fundamentals.
Educated individuals and groups in an extensive variety of musical styles
Instructed students ages 6-18 yrs in drum set and snare studies

St. Martin’s Catholic Elementary, Drum Instructor Feb 2000-Jan 2011
Philadelphia, PA
Taught percussion ensemble
Tutored intensive individual instruction
Facilitated drum and snare studies
Prepared students for school concerts

Lansdale Catholic School, Drum...

Hailed by critics as having a "beautiful, light mezzo agility, and natural theatricality," and a "commanding" stage presence, Lora completed her Masters of Music in Classical Voice Performance in May 2012 from the University of Miami's acclaimed Frost School of Music. Here, she performed the roles of Cherubino in "Le Nozze di Figaro," Mrs. Herring in "Albert Herring," and the title role of "Orfeo." Prior to receiving her Master's Degree, she received her Bachelors of Music from Miami University in her homestate of Ohio where her roles included Papagena in "Die Zauberflöte," and Poppet in Britten's "Paul Bunyan," amongst numerous other roles in opera scenes and chorus. She also has studied opera and art song performance in Salzburg, and the Tuscan region of Italy, along with spending a summer at the Manhattan School of Music's Summer Voice Institute. She also holds a passion for Musical Theater, having performed in community and college productions, and concert work.

In...

With a voice that has been described as “exquisite,” “sublime,” and “pure beauty,” soprano Veronica has performed with opera companies and orchestras across the country while keeping firm roots in her hometown of Philadelphia. She has performed with small choruses and full orchestras, in intimate outdoor venues and major opera houses. She is an Artist in Residence at Temple University and has sung as a core member of many local choral ensembles, but frequently travels outside of the area to perform.

Recently returned from Shenandoah Bach Festival’s Mozart C minor mass, and her first Countess with the Shenandoah Bach Festival’s concert version Le nozze di Figaro. 2010-2011 season also took Veronica on tour for the Northeast Louisiana / Union Parish Arts Council’s Amazing Grace (featuring music of various religions, time periods and styles).

In 2008-2009 Veronica sang the role of the High Priestess for Opera Birmingham’s Aida, and added several new roles...

I have been teaching music for 16 years. I grew up on the 2nd floor of my father's music store in Central PA and have been around music my whole life. I earned a bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from the University of the Arts where I studied jazz guitar with Pat Martino, Jimmy Bruno, Steve Giordano, and Tom Giacabetti. I was one of the original teachers during the formative years at the Paul Green School of Rock Music where I later went on to be the Music Director of the Philadelphia and Downingtown Schools. During that time, I helped many students prepare and get accepted to music schools, ran and developed music summer camps, and organized concerts where the students performed the music of Led Zeppelin, the Beatles, and many more of rock's finest band at every major venue in Philadelphia.

I have been active in the local music scene recording and playing sold-out shows at the Khyber, TLA, Trocadero, Johnny Brenda's and World Café Live with such acts as 722, Bebek,...

Andrew is a Philadelphia area bassist, guitarist, composer, sound designer, audio engineer, and teacher. As a recent graduate of University of the Arts with a MM in jazz studies, Andrew has had many opportunities to study with some of the best musicians that Philadelphia has to offer. Andrew performs in a variety of styles from rock to jazz and R&B. For Andrew, music is the most fun a person can have and this idea is the foundation for his instruction. Andrew aims to inspire his students, in the way that his great teachers have inspired him. He emphasizes improvisation, confidence, versatility, good habits, a strong foundation, and the concept of music as a language.

A native of Columbus, Ohio, Jordan D. has won prizes in several national and international guitar competitions - First Prize, Ohio America String Teachers Association; Second Prize, American Musicians Competition (Chicago); Second Prize, International Indiana Guitar Competition. In 2011, Jordan received the Segovia/Augustine Classical Guitar Award and the Lillian Fuchs Chamber Music Award at the Manhattan School of Music.

In 2008, Jordan attended Oscar Ghiglia's Incontri Chitarristici di Gargnano Festival in Gargnano, Italy. In 2009, he was a scholarship student in Sharon Isbin's class at the Aspen Music Festival. In 2010, Jordan was a student and featured performer at the Nashville Classical Guitar Seminar, directed by Richard Todd.

He has recently appeared as guitar soloist with the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Orchestra performing Joseph Schwantner's guitar concerto "From Afar…" Jordan has given several U.S. and world premieres of music by contemporary...

Exciting, entertaining and energetic, Philip’s ability speaks for itself. He was formally trained at the tender age of 13 on the trombone at La Salle College High School. With the performance ability sharpened by his diverse professional experiences, Philip D. is a renaissance man in his own right. He has worked with such notable artists and groups such as; Peter Nero & The Philly Pops, Slide Hampton, Robin Eubanks, Freda Payne, Martha Reeves of the Vandellas, The Intruders, The Blue Notes, The Delfonics, The Stylistics, The Contours, as well as The Temptations. Philip enjoys working with others, he wants his students to discover their musical ability and get in touch with their creative talents. His musical influences, aside from the groups he has worked with include Michael McDonald, Earth Wind and Fire, Journey, Queen, Take 6, Stevie Wonder, Joshua Redman, John Coltrane, and the list goes on. By taking lessons with Philip you will have a diverse variety of styles and...

Chosen as Teacher of the Week February 27th, 2012! Profiled on Takelessons.com Facebook page.

I've led a life dedicated to teaching and performing. I have two degrees in music- a Masters degree in Voice Performance and Teaching, and a Bachelors in Music Education. I've been teaching voice for six years at a local university and I have worked with actors, dancers, and artists in every style of music. My graduate studies broadened my teaching tools and I can't wait to share them with you!

Currently, I am working on a career as an opera singer. I am studying privately with my teacher from graduate school and my pianist- coach, who helps me with interpretation and clarity in my singing. I took private acting lessons that helped me sing my music with emotional honesty, and helped me look good on stage. With being a student so recently myself, it makes me so excited to help students make their own discoveries.

I have also taught at university summer programs for high school...