North Dighton Music Lessons

ttoo (Flora). Among my many regional credits are Oliver at the Chiswick Park Theater in Sudbury, MA (Nancy), Camelot with Noel Harrison at the North Shore Music Theater in Beverly, MA (Nimue/Guinevere understudy), and Is There Life After High School with Desi Arnaz, Jr. and Sharon Lawrence at the Burt Reynolds Theater in Jupiter, FL. I currently hold the post of Soloist at First Church of Christ, Scientist, Needham, and am a Guest Soloist for The Mother Church in Boston. I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, and have received additional training with many renowned pedagogues, including American actress and theatre director, Suzanne Shepherd, New York City, lyric soprano, Sari Gruber, mezzo-soprano Sondra Kelly, and coaches Arlene Shrut from the Juilliard School, Michelle Alexander with Boston Lyric Opera, and Roger Malouf with the Metropolitan Opera.

ere's Master Class (Paris, France), Mozarteum Summer School and Music Festival (Salzburg, Austria) and Vienna Music Seminar (Vienna, Austria). I was awarded scholarship when I attended Cleveland Institute of Music and Aspen Music School. My teachers include Jinsook Kim, Donald Walker, Paul Schenly, Gabriel Chodos, Viktor Teuflmayr, Claude Elffere, Anne Epperson, and Vivian Hornik Weilestein.
Previously I was a rehearsal pianist of operas, II pagliacci by Leoncavallo with Daegu Opera, Snatched by the Gods and Broken Strings by Param Vir with University of Iowa Theatre department, and contemporary operas based on the works by Francesca Cavalli with Temple University Opera. Other than operas I worked with Missoula Children’s Theater for the performance of Aladdin. As a collaborative pianist I performed in numerous concerts and performed in master classes of Joseph Silverstein, Steven Isserlis, Julliard Quartet, Isaac Stern and Richard Stoltzman. I have been teaching piano at the university settings (University of Iowa, Temple University and Catholic University of Daegu) or privately for 10+ years. When I was in Seattle I taught at Half Note Music School in Bellevue, WA and was a pianist at St. Columba's Episcopal Church and United Christian Church in Renton, WA. Now in Boston area I have been working as a pianist/organist at First Baptist Church of Wollaston. In between my careers in music I worked as a software engineer as well.

ch lesson is customized to make the most of each student's own unique abilities, limitations, preferences, and interests. Whether students prefer, or do better with, traditional materials, playing/singing along with their favorite recordings, improvisation, or anything in between, I am more than happy to accommodate and bring out each student’s best!

I teach real music -- students begin playing music they love almost from day-one. For example, many of my piano and guitar students pride themselves on learning to play every song on the Beatles One album ... playing right along with the CD! Reading, playing by ear, improvisation (jamming), singing while you play ... there are so many ways to play and avenues to explore in music.

**** MY STUDIO ****

My studio is spacious (very spacious – no cubicles here!), well-appointed, and very quiet. Unlike music stores and multi-lesson facilities, there are no other lessons on the premises, no drummers going crazy on the other side of the wall. This means students can concentrate better and learn faster. There is also plenty of room for parents and siblings who may wish to sit in on lessons.

**** STYLES / GENRES ****

I believe that students make the most progress learning music they love and I am very happy to teach every student the style of music he or she loves most.

My most requested genres are: pop, rock, country, blues, classic rock, jazz, and classical. Some students arrive knowing exactly what they want, but most are happy to explore various styles that interest them in search of the perfect fit. It is not at all uncommon for a student to spend part of their lesson polishing up a Beethoven piece or jazz standard, then finish up playing the chords to “Hotel California” along with the CD. Another student might start off their lesson learning a Taylor Swift hit, then move over to doing some blues improvisation. Variety is a wonderful thing and it is highly encouraged!

**** MY STUDENTS ****

Over the years, I have taught students from four years old to eighty-somethings. I’ve taught absolute beginners (most of my students start from square-one), hobbyists, seasoned professionals, even a Grammy nominee and a Grammy winner! Many of my young students have gone on to perform in school bands / jazz bands and/or professionally. In all cases, they acquire a skill that will last for a lifetime and provide joy, enrichment, and satisfaction.

Do you have a song or two in your heart? Contact me today and I will help you reach your musical goals and have a very good time doing it!

ifferences are welcome and treated with patience, kindness and respect. I have experience with this population and have cultivated many resources and relationships with experts that guide me in teaching individuals with special needs. Every child in my program will be taught as an individual with his/her own unique learning style. Developmentally appropriate techniques will be used along with teaching strategies that cater to each child's personality and learning temperament.

Teenagers are busy people who juggle so many responsibilities. In addition to teaching their lessons and helping them to grow musically, I will provide them with practice strategies that will fit into their hectic schedules.

I also enjoy teaching adults of every skill level. There is no rush, no stress. Just the pride and excitement of learning something new. So if learning to play piano or sing has always been on your bucket list, let's tackle it together and make it happen!

nadian Maritimes, and Alaska, playing jazz sets and accompanying cabaret singers and other guest entertainers on the mainstage. While aboard ship, Jeff devoted his free time to his own musical development and composition, culminating in the work All the Anthills, an etude for solo violin in 5-limit extended just intonation. (This piece was later premiered by violinist Isabella Costanza and was the subject of Jeff’s Capstone project for his Theory Minor at NEC.)

Jeff’s teaching career began coaching musical theater students at the Theater Arts Workshop in his native Westchester County, New York. While still in his early teens, Jeff maintained a busy performing schedule, participating in and having works performed by ensembles such as the Manhattan School of Music Precollege Jazz Big Band and Small Jazz Ensemble and the InterSchool Orchestras of New York Symphony. He was concurrently selected to conduct a six week internship directing the school bands in his own elementary and middle schools. During the summers, he worked as a counselor at summer music festivals such as the New York State Summer Music Festival and French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts. During his time at NEC, Jeff completed another semester-long teaching internship, which included mentoring a college student at Emmanuel College in music reading skills, piano, and music theory. Since his recent graduation from NEC in May 2018, he has kickstarted a private music teaching studio in a pursuit to give back to the musical community from which he has learned so much.

ntless fundamentals that lead to a strong musician, my goal with any lesson I teach is to never lose sight of the connection to the craft.

I would also go on to say that this principle doesn't merely stop at music. It extends into my creative writing and especially my cooking as well. I grew up surrounded by the sounds and smells of traditional Caribbean cuisine at home with my mom. She is my largest influence as a cook and as a creator. My mother taught me to be focused and purposeful in my habits at the stove and in life. She always said that Cooking that comes from the heart beats any recipe book and I believe her. Whether it be the simple ramen dish or five star cuisine, I always aim to teach how to cook stress-free and passionate. Even if you don't choose me as your teacher, I sincerely hope my words here can be carried into whatever you do. Thank you for stopping by and I hope we can create something special together. :)

u choose and bring in or songs that I can provide from my library.

Students of piano can expect a more technique based approach going more by some piano technique books which will then expand into figuring out and playing songs that you hear on the radio!

I firmly believe that music is a wonderful gift and I hope that I get to be a part of your unique musical journey and help you become the best musician you can possibly be!