Private Guitar tutoring lessons Hopatcong, NJ.

my first love I always had a fascination with film. I began study with the successful theater and film coach Ruth Kulerman four years ago. After many lessons and plenty of encouragement from Ruth I decided to start testing the waters. Early in 2007 I went out and started auditioning. The response was overwhelming and I landed 17 roles in 5 months. Not a bad problem to have your first time out of the gate. It wasn'€™t prime time or the big screen, but it gave me enough confidence to continue to work hard and more importantly, I knew I had something special to offer.

I've had films in the Asian American Film Festival, New Film Maker Festival, and 2 years ago the film En Route won first place at the Milford Connecticut Film Festival, in which I was the lead. I was nominated for best actor at the Columbia film festival for the short Good Bye. In 2011 I was the lead in the film Down & Across which went to the Cannes film festival. I'm currently working on a TV pilot with the same team. The Coffee List, was my first attempt at writer, director and actor. The film has been screened at International Manhattan Film Festival, The Katra Film Series and we came in 3rd place for the HollyShorts Challenge on Indi website.

and your family to achieve your music education goals!

), oboe, and voice. Study music to awaken your aural senses, develop muscle memory, and enhance your intellectual development.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Piano and bench, keyboard, guitar, guitar stand, music stand, foot stool. Ample seating for parents.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I am comfortable teaching from a piano or keyboard. I will transport my own guitar and anticipate students will own or rent the instrument they will be studying.

*** Specialties ***
Beginner to advanced music instruction, guitar notes and chords, piano melodies and accompaniment, vocal instruction, musical theater, classical piano and more.

The Drifters, Del Shannon, The Shirelles, The Marvelettes, The Crystals, Chuck Berry, Leslie Gore and believe it or not Tiny Tim. I played guitar, harmonica, mandolin and banjo in productions of: Hair, Tommy, Big River, Fiddler On The Roof and Grease. I composed my own music and performed and co-wrote with others who also wrote their own music. I have always taught private guitar lessons as far back as I can remember. One notable student was Stevie Wonder's son Keita who I taught for 2 years at Stevie's home in northern New Jersey as well as CBS News Anchor Charles Osgood's daughter Annie. Currently I teach 20 private guitar students a week.. From 1994 to 2000, I was the guitarist for The Royal Scam (a Steely Dan Tribute) and during that period I was hired by Hal Leonard Music Corp. to write a guitar transcription book called "The Best of Steely Dan". I was also hired by Brother International Corp. to compose and record a national radio jingle called "P-Touch", with Corey Glover from the rock band Living Colour doing the vocal tracks.
In 1996 I went to William Paterson University to obtain my teacher certification in music education. After the 9/11 attacks, I co-wrote and arranged "America Home Of The Free". The song was used to raise thousands of dollars for the victims of The World Trade Center attacks. Presently I divide my time between teaching, which I enjoy as much as performing and playing guitar with a jazz quartet called ....and All That Jazz, whose 2005 CD "Reflections" was recorded, mixed and mastered in my home based 24 track recording studio in northern NJ. I am also involved in a mandolin / classical guitar project called Music Of The Ages and perform with a 10 piece band called Epic Soul.
As a teacher I am very patient with students and enjoy helping them reach their own musical goals. I emphasize knowing the basics and encourage students to study music theory and basic reading of standard notation. I always ask my students to bring in songs they want to learn as a way to motivate them to practice more.

*** Lesson Details ***
GUITAR: I expect my students to practice at least 5 days a week for at least a 1/2 hour per day. I use the Suzuki method for young students ages 8 to10. We continue learning basic folk songs by ear and then start reading standard notation and basic theory within 6 to 8 months along with classical guitar duets. For older students I use the Hal Leonard guitar method. After 3 months of lessons students can expect to know the basic open position chords and strum patterns to some basic songs as well as some famous guitar riffs and also be able to read some basic melodies in standard notation. After 6 months students will be able to play a 12 bar blues and improvise with the pentatonic and blues scales as well as learn moveable scales and chords and apply these to songs.

PIANO: I also start young piano students with the Suzuki method so they can play some five finger familiar melodies in a short time period. Then we progress to reading notation and eventually adding chord accompaniment to melodies. I use the Faber piano method for reading standard notation.

*** Studio Equipment ***
24 track recording studio, room for parents to sit 14' x 21'...completely furnished studio with guitars, amps, piano, drum machine, synthesizer, microphones...the works.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Students need a good quality and proper size guitar (for very young students) a music stand (for their home use) a foot stool, a metronome and books I assign along with an 8 1/2" X 11" blank manuscript book and a folder with side pockets to hold handout sheets. Piano students need their own instrument and the above materials minus the foot stool.

*** Specialties ***
Suzuki classical guitar, classic rock, blues, jazz , popular, funk, country, folk, finger picking and pick style and piano.

ately, I teach a student to be able to progress independently. Learning songs is fine, and a great way to get motivated, but in the end it's about learning the concepts that allow the student to learn those songs on his/her own and be able to use those elements create their own music.
I teach all styles, and levels.
I am currently unable to offer lessons at my home studio, but still provide lessons on Skype or in your home.
Also offering lessons for Bass guitar.

, taught me how to read music and play keyboard. Music is something that can never escape my life! I practice my instruments on a daily basis and avidly compose my own music as well. Besides being involved with piano at school, I was a member of the William Paterson Symphony Orchestra where I played second violin, as well as a member of the school's flute ensemble. My goal is to have a career in which I can instill within my students the same love, endearment and appreciation for music that has grown with me over the years.

I am someone who truly has a passionate love for music, as it is what my whole life is about and brings me immense happiness on a daily basis. I am not just a robotic teacher who is providing lessons as a financial opportunity, but someone who honestly cares about the growth of a student's musical ability and love for music itself.

A huge part of music is not just learning how to play the notes correctly, but to come to understand the amazement that can be experienced from the act of playing an instrument. To be the most successful in any music related business, I feel that it is essential to love what you do and to practice as much as you possibly can. Love and practice can take someone very far if they are truly dedicated to their art.

Witnessing a student enjoy what they're doing while improving their skills in the process is an amazing feeling for both student and teacher. I want to show people what it is I love about music so much, and hopefully instill within them the same love and passion.

I would like possible future students to know that I am not like any other instructor, as generic as this may sound. I have a true, fervent passion for music which I yearn to share with others.
Whether music is a way of life or just a hobby for someone, it can be something that sticks with them for the remainder of their lives and brings great happiness and enjoyment.