Hi! Thanks for taking a look at my teacher profile. Here's a little bit about me and how I can help you become the musician you want to be.

I started playing the guitar at age 17. I was being paid to play guitar and hand drums for dance classes at his college by the age of 19, and was hired on to the guitar faculty of the Fairmount School of Music at the age of 24. I realized that I'd gotten good only partially through short bursts of discipline lasting up to 6 weeks or so before I had to relax and just have fun for a while, and that for most people, year-round discipline was impossible due to temperament or other demands on people's time. These observations led me to boil down a teaching approach I summarize like this: "The more you have your guitar in your lap, the better player you're going to become. The best way to keep the guitar in your lap is to be playing things that are fun. For you. While it is essential to have a certain amount of technique in order to...

As a composer I have found it necessary never to stray too far from performance. The shear exhilaration one can obtain through playing an instrument is unique and powerful. I have devoted my life to trying to understand and master this elusive beast we call Music. As a child, of a peculiar spirit, I demanded my parents get me guitar and piano lessons. I felt an instant connection to these instruments and was compelled to investigate. After years of inquiry I ended up attending New School for the Arts, a high school devoted to the arts where I
studied music composition. From there, I went on to the University of Arizona to receive degrees in Music Composition and Philosophy with minors in Mathematics and English Literature. For my Masters' programs I wondered into the world of contemporary composers and experimental music at Mills College in Oakland where I finished my M.A. in Music Composition as well as my M.F.A. in Electronic Music and Recording Media. All the while pursuing a...

I'm a passionate Drummer and Educator with 17 years playing experience and 4 years teaching experience. Committed to helping students have FUN while learning to make music and discover their own individual “voice” on the drum-set.

When I was 9 years old my Father played me the drum solo to Iron Butterfly's “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida”; I knew I was destined to be a lifelong drummer ever since. From an early age I was mesmerized by the bombastic power of Rock and Roll Drummers such as John Bonham, Keith Moon and Ginger Baker. As I progressed as a Rock player and my musical interests expanded, I found myself naturally gravitating towards Jazz and Afro-Cuban as well as traditional West African rhythms. The dynamic range, finesse and subtle possibilities within these styles challenges me to grow as a musician and keeps me coming back to my drum kit each day. I continue to learn from and be inspired by pioneers such as Babatunde Olatunji, Peter Erskine, Buddy Rich, Art Blakey,...

I have been playing the piano since the age of seven. I began my musical training at Sacred Heart School in Vineland, NJ. My first teacher was Sister Helen. I loved it and was a fast learner.

I continued piano lessons with several different private teachers before finally becoming a student of a teacher, who later played with John Lennon! He is the pianist on Double Fantasy. Is that cool or what? He was a big influence on me and helped me through those times of frustration that are inevitable for most piano students. He is currently a session musician in NYC.

I later became a piano major in college at what is now called Rowan University, but it was just humble Glassboro State College back in the mid 70′s. I played in many bands, and I’m proud of my time gigging weddings and parties. I played in many NJ clubs as well.

During my careers in the USAF, in private aviation, and in public education, I continued to play the piano, but kept it strictly as a hobby. It was,...

I grew up in a musical family in Tucson, where my dad was a high school choir teacher for 25 years. I had the privilege to be in his choirs for 2 years! I attended Northern Arizona University studying music education/performance 3 years (music scholarship), Pima College music ed. 1 year. This included 3 hours per semester of private voice. Basically a different language every semester (French, Italian, German). During this time I formed an acoustic folk/rock duo night club act and played around Tucson for several years. Then I moved to L.A. to pursue my dreams. There I played beach clubs in another duo. I also was a studio singer and produced and sold a couple of jingles. I have been a staff singer with Arizona Opera since 1992. I have been in 80 + productions/600+ performances. I just signed a contract to be in 3 operas in the 2012 - 2013 season. Also in 1992 I started my own business as a pre-school music specialist and that has been my day job for the last 20 years. I'm known as...