Highland Park, NJ Music Theory Lessons

artistic expression, interpretation, breathing, and finger and pitch placement techniques are incorporated into my music instruction. Cold reading, audition preparation and technique, Shakespeare, scene analysis, and business strategies are examples of topics that may be covered in acting instruction. Linklater (voice), Alexander, Williamson (movement), and Art of Practicing (piano) methods are also employed.

What are the profiles of my students?
My students come from different walks of life: children coming from school who bound excitedly to my lesson door; teenage artists who have the passion and vision but lack the technique; working adults who seek reprieve from the stress of work by singing/ learning an instrument that they've always wanted to play; and seniors who want a fun hobby to keep active. I enjoy teaching them and watching them master the fundamentals while developing their own performance style (or even composing their own music)!

What is my teaching style?
Based on feedback, students appreciate that I am a teacher with a warm personality whose supportive, passionate, and fun approach and effective techniques help them attain the following: 1) a firm understanding of the fundamentals of music theory or acting technique; 2) an ability to effectively learn how to perform and practice singing/playing/acting a piece; and 3) a style of performing that minimizes tension, produces beautiful sound or a dynamic character, and/or allows them to fully express themselves. After a few months, students should have sound knowledge of all three.

My students and I connect, in part, because I remember being like them. On stage, I started out dancing and acting; I delved into singing and songwriting and then fell in love with playing the piano. The day that I learned how to merge those passions (i.e. singing while playing the piano) was one of the happiest days of my life! Now, whether I'm performing Shakespeare on stage, playing Chopin and Beethoven, or singing while playing tunes by Whitney Houston, I still get excited. Hopefully, I fuel that excitement in you, too!

What is the lesson structure?
Due to the comprehensive nature of my teaching style and structure, students above the age of 6 take lessons for 60 minutes; 30-minute lessons are only available for children aged 5-6. If a student wants to learn how to play while singing, I am happy to help him/her do so!

*** Studio Equipment ***
My studio location in Manhattan is conveniently near Midtown, Chelsea, Flat Iron, Murray Hill, Union Square, Tribeca, and the Financial District in particular and is easily accessible via public transportation. It houses an upright piano and seating for parents.

*** Specialties ***
Acting: Meisner Acting; Theater Acting; Shakespearean Acting
Music: Classical Piano; Contemporary R&B & Pop Piano; Singing; Theory; Playing Whie Singing; Songwriting

***Pricing***

Thirty minute rates are for younger students only. Adult students are required to book 60 minute lessons.

is just as much a passion of his as is drum performance and recording. In 2005 he was hired as the drum instructor at Los Angeles City College. Since then, he has authored three different drum books and has taught music at Southern California Music School, Alhambra School of Music, Pasadena City College, LA Valley College, LA Academy and several other institutions.

Andrew was awarded Teacher of the Year 2007/2008 at Southern California Music School. He also received Best Drummer Award at the Emergenza’s Battle of the Bands contest in 2005. Under Andrew’s instruction, Carver Middle School was also awarded 1st place during the NVISION Battle of the Bands contest in 2010.

*** Lesson Details ***
My goal for the first lesson, is to have my student perform a simple beat along to one of their favorite songs. I have learned to speak the language of my students. I always find a way to help them understand the mechanics of playing drums. I get very excited over good music, interesting drum concepts or beats. I am patient and encouraging. I give my students praise for every accomplishment. I believe that anyone can become a great drummer.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Rehearsal Studio with seating for parents.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide the learning material, I expect the student to have their own drums/equipment.

*** Specialties ***
I teach reading and writing music notation as well as to play by ear. I specialize in Jazz, Rock, Blues, Country, Metal, and Latin styles. I know heel-up, heel-down, and heel-toe bass drum pedal technique. I also specialize in rudimental drumming.

and Radio City Music Hall, 54 Below, The Jazz Standard, Bowery Ballroom, Shapeshifter and Flushing Town Hall in New York, my fire for wanting to develop my teaching did also. I was always thinking back to what my old teachers gave me, inspiration. I then understood that inspiration is the key to success in life.

*** Lesson Details ***
Lessons will be something the student looks forward to every week. We will work through common method books and learn material that the student has an interest in. For example, some students want to learn to play high notes, a popular song, improvise, or write their own songs. I am a laid back guy, but I do expect effort in the lessons and at home. I believe whatever you put into music is what you get out of it, and I will inspire and motivate the student to get as much out of the lessons as they can. Students will create, with my advisement, and update short term and long term goals every few months.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Keyboard or Piano and Music Stand

*** Travel Equipment ***
They should provide their instrument, instrument care products (valve oil), method books and sheet music.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in jazz and classical music. I use many common methods depending on how the student tends to learn the best, and will even combine different methods if the student requires it.

elen O’Connor, Alexa Still, and Jean Rosenblum. Roberta resides in Brooklyn, New York where she teaches privately and is on faculty at Great Neck Music Conservatory.

Roberta has performed with groups including Duo RoMi (with pianist Mirna Lekic), the Portland String Quartet, SEM Ensemble, Wet Ink Ensemble, Argento Chamber Ensemble, Wordless Music Orchestra, Ensemble Moto Perpetuo, Lunatics at Large, Kagel Nacht, Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas, Cheyenne Symphony, and the Greeley Philharmonic in venues including Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Alice Tulley Hall, Merkin Hall, The Kennedy Center, Bargemusic (with tenor Robert White), and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As a guest artist, she has appeared at Bloomsburg University and the University of Southern Maine. She has recorded on New Dynamic Records, Meta, Bridge, and Innova Records.

Roberta has been a Bang on a Can Summer Institute fellow and a participant in the Institute and Festival of Contemporary Performance at Mannes College, as well as participating in festivals at Banff and Domaine Forget. Roberta recently won the Artists International Special Presentation Award and was presented in her debut recital at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall. Other awards include: Purchase College’s Baroque Concerto Competition, Bay Chamber Summer Music Woodwind Prize, Dante Alighieri Society of Denver Music Scholarship, and the Emily K. Rand Award.

*** Lesson Details ***
In my studio, I believe that my role is to steer students toward a deeper understanding of themselves, their instrument, and their relationship to music. I tailor my teaching to the needs of my individual students, who currently range from age 4 to adult, often adding improvisation and extended techniques to increase my students’ awareness of the potential of the flute as a channel for one’s creativity.

With over a decade of teaching and a doctorate in flute performance, I have extensive experience teaching flute lessons and recorder lessons to students from beginners to advanced. I teach at my studio in Brooklyn or can come to your home in New York City. I have previously taught in Colorado, Westchester, NY, and throughout New York City. I've been on faculty at The Harmony Program and the Denver Public School’s Saturday Music Program, where I taught beginning flute classes to public school children. I have given masterclasses at the University of Southern Maine and the Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts High School, and have taught music classes at Purchase College and Hostos Community College.

*** Studio Equipment ***
I have a studio with music stands, flutes, recorders, an upright piano, and place for parents to wait. Street parking is available, and I'm less than a block from the subway.

Students are expected to bring their instrument, music, and a notebook.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I bring my flute. Students need to have a music stand, music, a notebook, and a working instrument.

*** Specialties ***
I am well-versed in all areas of classical music, especially new music. My primary instrument is flute, but I also enjoy teaching beginner piano, recorder, and music theory.

s well. I try to show students that learning music is a lifelong pursuit that can provide all types of fun and personal fulfillment, in addition to being a potential career and social outlet. After 3-6 months, the student will be playing songs, good ones, not just scales. They will also have learned basics, such as chords and scales, as well as sight reading.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Basement converted into music studio with instruments, and piano and keyboard. Parents can sit in on lessons. Street parking available.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide all lesson materials, listening examples, and, on occassion, an instrument. I often use my laptop to play songs and tutorials for students (who don't buy records like we did in the old days.) Generally, students must provide instrument.

*** Specialties ***
I tailor my lessons based on three factors: a student's interests, their ability, and their amount of practice time. I do not use a cookie cutter method of teaching because each student is different. I have studied, formally and informally, rock, pop, blues, jazz and classical. My specialties are rock and blues. On occasion, I will use method books, such as the Schirmer books for piano, but only if the student clearly seems to benefiting from them.

te 40"  in 2010. Later that year Nick received his degree in Music Composition.

In 2012, he released an album of original songs and compositions, entitled "Foolish Fantasy."

He currently resides in Brooklyn, NY, where he works full-time performing, composing, and teaching music. Recent projects have included successful runs off-Broadway and scores for major video-game releases.

*** Lesson Details ***
I do not believe in a one-size fits all philosophy when it comes to piano lessons. I tailor-fit all my lessons to the particular student's goals.

Students find my demeanor laid-back, personal, upfront, and patient.

I like to incorporate tidbits of relevant music history to contextualize the music we work on. To me, it keeps things more interesting!

Sometimes lesson books may not be necessary. When appropriate, I prefer teaching from the Bastien book series.  

*** Studio Equipment ***
Yamaha Acoustic Upright Piano
Roland RD-300NX full size weighted keyboard w/ ivory feel.

*** Travel Equipment ***
The student must have access to his or her own keyboard (electric or acoustic acceptable)

*** Specialties ***
I prefer to teach the Bastien method to my younger students! I am proficient in blues, jazz, RnB, rock, pop, gospel, and classical.

cupy Olympus, performed by Magis Theatre Company at Flamboyan Theatre, New York International Fringe Festival in 2013.

r in Music from the Manhattan School of Music and a Bachelor in Jazz Performance from the University of Manitoba. He participated in the Ottawa Jazz Festival Youth Summit (2013) and the Banff International Workshop (2012).