Student who takes lessons with me has a chance to expand his knowledge by learn necessary technique and elements of music which I have studied in college. I am glad and willing to share my knowledge of music as well as research different genres and styles of music.

Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma to a music-loving family, I began playing piano and guitar at a very young age. At age twelve, I began playing double bass, which has become my primary instrument. Throughout middle and high school, I received numerous awards for excellence in both jazz and classical music. After high school, I moved to the Oklahoma City area and had the opportunity to play with many of the great musicians who passed through, including Jon Faddis, Wynton Marsalis, Byron Stripling, and Anne Hampton Calloway.

Since moving to New York City in 2002, I have been fortunate enough to travel throughout the US, Canada, Caribbean, and Europe with such groups as Pete Robbins and Centric, Ryan Blotnick's Secret Mainstream, and The Paislies. Aside from my freelance work with various groups, I also play bass guitar in Brooklyn based rock band, Hungry Hands, as well as double bass in Tiger Lilies, an improvising chamber ensemble based on Indian folk melodies. As a graduate of the...

I have been both a performer and dedicated teacher in the NYC and NJ area for over 14 years. I began playing music at the age of 8 years old, studying classical piano until I was 13. From there, I picked up guitar and started to immerse myself with rock, folk, classical, and jazz music. I eventually attended William Patterson University where I earned a BA in Jazz Performance, and then decided to move to NYC and pursue my career as a performer and educator. Upon moving to the city, I attended the American Institute of Guitar where I studied classical guitar for 5 years with world renowned guitarist Yasha Koffman.

Currently, I am teaching and performing in the greater NJ and NYC areas, and has performed with notable figures such as Steve LaSpina, James Williams, Tyshawn Sorey, and Yasha Koffman.

Every time I pick up the bass to teach a lesson, I start to smile and so does the student. We both understand that this is going to be fun, positive, and easy. That's how I want learning the bass to feel because in the end, bass is about grooving and connecting with others, making it easier to play as a band. Playing an instrument is a combination of technique, knowledge, and creativity. I feel that it's important for a student to explore these three areas and that positive encouragement will help a student work harder and achieve more.

I earned my B.M. and M.M. at two of the most highly ranked jazz programs in the world, at William Paterson University and then at Manhattan School of Music. By studying with legendary musicians and educators, I have a greater knowledge about the bass and its history in music. Through technique and creativity, I apply this knowledge to many different styles.

Even though my training is in jazz, I enjoy playing all styles of music. I play in...

I am a very patient with beginners and I can help advanced students find the inner drive to excel. From the very beginning lessons, I set you up to go as far as possible, by providing the foundations in technique, theory and ear-training that will allow you to grow quickly and assuredly. I also let you choose your repertoire and learn the music you love.

I have many years experience teaching guitar, theory and ear-training to beginners all the way up to graduate students. I have a Masters of Music in classical guitar from Manhattan School of Music, and a PhD in music theory. But most importantly, I love to teach and I love to find ways to explain things and develop skills in my students based on understanding their way of learning.

My specialty as a performer is Brazilian guitar, but I have played and taught many different styles - I also transcribe a lot of music so students frequently bring me recordings and I teach them how to learn by ear. This ear-training allows me to...

Matt's love for guitar and music began like many guitarists, when he first heard the sound of Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and many other classic rock guitarists. He immediately picked up the guitar and began learning as many songs by these icons as possible. Eventually he heard the likes of jazz guitar greats Joe Pass and Wes Montgomery and his love of music changed forever. Since then, Matt has combined his love of jazz and classic rock into a passion for all music throughout his career as a performer and educator.

As a teacher, Matt began as a tutor of guitar, jazz improvisation, music theory, and ear-training at Mesa Community College in Mesa, Arizona. Upon moving to New York City in 2004, Matt continued to teach privately while pursuing his BFA in Jazz Performance and Music Education at The City College of New York. In conjunction with completing his Education degree, Matt had the opportunity of teaching music to all levels of students in the...

Music education goes beyond your ability to play the music you hear in the world and within yourself. I believe that when you focus on the expressions you are making through the language of music, technique, intonation, and proficiency will follow. I encourage students to practice the music that speaks to them. I benefit students by enabling them to become accustomed to playing with intent and sensitivity. I have gathered experience over the years playing for groups and releasing my own music, both of which have given me the perspective to educate students and further their potential. I have played bass guitar for grunge rock and metal bands, both electric and upright bass for a number of jazz ensembles, drum kit and world percussion for the latter as well as experimental groups, and have built a repertoire of electronic music productions that include progressive house music and hip hop. I wish to help students understand what a stellar music performance is made of; sincerity,...

My students are always shown that playing the drums are downright fun. Every time I sit at the kit, I still feel like a little kid who finally gets to hit 'those big things on the stage,' and that enthusiasm is imparted to everyone I teach. Music encompasses all aspects of art: expression (improvisation), entertainment (performance), craftsmanship (technical skill), and enjoyment (having fun). Nobody should miss out on any of these, and a positive attitude helps students be eager to work hard and achieve their goals.

In 6 years of intense degree work, I earned my B.M. and M.M. from two of the most highly acclaimed jazz programs in the world, Oberlin Conservatory and the Manhattan School of Music. Studying with living legends has given me not only information but perspective on music, something not many receive. History and knowledge of the music and the instrument are strengths of mine, and they are balanced with correct technique that transfers to any style.

Don't let the...

Athena has enjoyed tremendous success as a singer/songwriter, actress, musician and teacher. She is originally from Toronto, but is now based out of New York City.

Athena has released 5 CDs, toured North America (both as a singer/songwriter and as an actress), and taught voice, piano, guitar, songwriting and acting for the past 13 years. She has shared the stage Sarah McLachlan and Jim Carrey, and taught songwriting to 5th Grade girls with Lisa Loeb (the teaching project with Lisa Loeb was made into a documentary and premiered at Tribeca Cinemas). Currently, her music video LOVE IS LOVE is featured on MTV's LOGO TV.

As a teacher, Athena has worked at numerous schools, organizations, and colleges across North America, including Oregon State University, Montcalm College, Manhattan New Music Project, TADA!, and The Ontario Science Center. She teaches privately (voice, piano, guitar, acting & songwriting), and facilitates workshops to kids and adults on topics ranging from...

My students improve through a better knowledge of the fingerboard and a comprehensive look at the songs that define your preferred music genre. Play by ear and improve your reading while learning jazz, blues, and folk styles. In over 20 years of teaching, I show students how to play chords and single note lines with ease.

New York city based guitarist and composer Juan C. immigrated to Miami, Florida at age 21.
His work speaks a unique language that blends elements from his early musical experiences in Colombia, as a member of various folk, rock (metal ) ensembles, and his studies in East Asian music fuelled by travels and interaction with musicians and artists in China and Japan.

Juan’s music has been performed throughout South America, the United States and Asia. Although Juan cannot return to his native Colombia, his string duet, “Famous Librarians” (commissioned by Olivia de Prato and Victor Lowrie, was premiered at the Medellín Conservatory of Music.) His piece for electric bass and keyboard, “Glue Pain Ghost,” a collaboration with video artist, Jane Hsu, was invited to a world premiere at the GEISAI Art festival in Tokyo, and the Art Basel festival in Miami.

Juan holds a Master of Music from the Manhattan School of Music, where he studied under the tutelage of Susan...

Whether you want to pursue a musical career or simply learn how to play your favorite tunes for friends and family, I can provide guidance for your enjoyment.

As a Father of four, I have had the joy in teaching my children Guitar, Saxophone, Songwriting, and Keyboard. Being a parent, I have found that patience and encouragement goes a long way. It has been proven that learning how to play music helps develop intuition and self-awareness, and to even improve in other subjects not directly related to the arts.

I have taken music courses at The Boston School of Contemporary Music, Thomas Jefferson College (MI), and Columbia College Chicago. I have a BA in Music Composition. One of the most important aspects to playing music is being able to Play by Ear. This has been a priceless gift that I have developed throughout my life and I encourage all musicians, young and old, to do the same. The use of simple Rhythmic Dictation and Ear Training exercises can do wonders for "picking...