Montclair, NJ Piano Lessons

awn back to New York City. Performing regularly on piccolo, flute, alto flute, clarinet, bass clarinet and all saxophones, he is proving to be valued asset in the NYC music scene.

Bill performs regularly with his group, Bill Todd and the Sixth Generation, while also working as a Broadway pit musician, a sideman and a private music teacher.

*** Lesson Details ***
Every student is unique, therefore, lessons are designed to fit the student individually. My teaching style is molded to satisfy each students wants and needs. I also like to focus on developing proper playing habits. I see it as my job to help my students understand and develop the proper techniques to eliminate bad habits in order for them to be the best they can be on their instrument. Lessons are about having fun making music, learning, and improving.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Chairs, music stands and keyboard for harmonic discussions.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I expect the student to bring their own music notebook and their own instrument. They may also need to purchase their own lesson books when the time comes.

*** Specialties ***
I can help my students learn how to play in a variety of styles ranging from classical (solos, chamber music, etudes, etc.) to jazz (improvisation, harmony, etc.). Whether they're working on a song to play at school, a NYSSMA or All County solo, or just learning for fun, I will help them play to the best of their ability.

and your family to achieve your music education goals!

ays on Broadway, writing your own songs, and developing show-biz career strategy, (headshots, meeting agents/managers, etc) I help TIYA members every day achieve their artistic dreams.

MORE INFO:
I have been singing since I was 3, anything and everything from Michael Jackson to Elvis Presley to Luciano Pavarotti. Originally from Colorado, I studied music/theatre, as well as vocal pedagogy at The University of Colorado at Boulder, where I graduated with highest honors. I made my Broadway debut in "The Phantom of the Opera" at age 24. I also performed in "Chess in concert" as a featured rock tenor soloist at the New Amsterdam Theatre on Broadway with Josh Groban. I have understudied and performed lead roles in the first AEA National Tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s "Whistle Down the Wind." Regionally, I have played many lead roles all over the United States in productions including "Les Miserables," "Miss Saigon," "The Wild Party," and "She Loves Me."

As an ASCAP recording artist, currently I am working in the studio with a full production team on my first pop/rock album. I also often sing on demos for producers and write songs for other artists in many different genres.

As a TV/Film actor, most recently I was on set with Marvel's "Luke Cage" on Netflix, and I played the lead role of (Abraham) Lincoln in the digital series pilot, "These Honored Dead." I also have played lead roles in 4 SAG-AFTRA short films, as well as the comedic lead in a SAG-AFTRA Web-series pilot, "Bodega Nights." I was called back for producers as a Series Regular for "The Knick," an episodic series produced and directed by Steven Soderbergh on Cinemax. Check out: stephenhorst.com.

My audition prep will help you master your sides for any playing space; Broadway plays/musicals and especially on camera.

TIYA clients include (aspiring) Broadway performers, Film and TV actors, singer-songwriters, voice-over artists, news anchors, dancers, comedians, CEO's all over the world, as well as karaoke enthusiasts, and songwriting hobbyists.

My TIYA members have performed on television in Smash, Glee, and venues around NYC ranging from The Underground, Le Poisson Rouge, Drom, Cornelia Street Cafe, Arlene’s Grocery, to the Broadway productions of Ghost, Sister Act, Evita, Wicked, West Side Story, South Pacific, The Phantom of the Opera, and Rent to name a few.

*** Lesson Details ***
We will always work on whatever you want.

For Singing, as a vocal technician/trainer I am like going to the gym for your voice. My exercises are safe, simple, and most importantly, I teach you how to practice correctly.

For ACTing, we can explore both the foundation itself with monologues and scenes, as well as the tricks of the trade mastering the camera frame and how to create memorable auditions for TV/Film.

For Songwriting, we can explore the fundamentals of both lyrics and music, as well as catchy hooks, production, and song structure.

You may use my time however you wish (Voice, Acting, Songwriting, or Artistic/Career guidance).

Most vocal sessions will usually be a combination of strengthening/ conditioning exercises, and then exploring/performing a song.

Most ACTing sessions will be theatre monologues, TV/Film sides and/or On camera auditioning craft.

Career consultations usually include how to get an agent, headshots, branding, and marketing to align your artistic dreams with a strategy for success.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Yamaha PSR 950 61-key arranger keyboard
Sony Handycam DCR-SR 100
Fovitec Studio PRO - 5' x 6.5' Gray/Blue screen
MacBook Pro 13-inch: 2.4GHz
with Retina display
Yamaha FG700S Acoustic Guitar
Bose Wave Music System
iPhone 6S plus

*** Specialties ***
SINGING, ACTING, SONGWRITING, CONSULTING

The TIYA vocal training method is uniquely my own as it combines both Bel Canto and Speech Level Singing. Emphasis is on developing a relaxed, released, authentic vocal timbre to sing in any style. Concepts explored include: Coordination, Registration, and Intonation. Chest, Head, Edge, and Pharyngel registration, 2 instruments in 1, posture, breath management, vocal cord adduction, trigger phrases, ring, consistency, and more. 

stead of above them.I have help students to get into bands and become songwriters. I show students how to practice within 15 minutes and become productive in ideas and have fun in the process all ages could have fun. I am one of those individuals who love to teach music and my reward is when you learn and feel good about your studies in the instrument so my last words to conclude in all of this is “have fun and enjoy the beauty of music.”

I am emphatic about learning music I cover all the grounds in music such as theory the basics to harmony and my favorite songwriting and get you to play what you like
I have worked with all ages and the one thing I know in the beginning is to make that student feel comfortable and to get the attention from that student so they can learn, play, and most importantly have fun with it.
I show students time management in their studies how to practice in such a little time I plan each lesson and if the lesson is not right for that day I quickly go into a second plan. I can always detect if the plan does not go well because there is one thing a teacher must know and that is to teach in the level of the student and not beyond so they can succeed properly and move on to the next level.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Private teaching studio in a finished basement a whole drum kit, 3 keyboards, has several guitars and a bass for students to use at his home, microphones for voice and plenty of music stands

*** Specialties ***
Teaching bands how to write songs and record as well as instructions on instruments

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

, 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.

, tailoring lesson plans to suit their personal goals and interests. I have experience playing and teaching an extensive range of styles including pop, rock, jazz, country, metal, and classical. One of my main goals is to foster a sense of musical understanding with every student so that they may learn to combine technical, theoretical, and aural skills into a unified whole.

Most students want to learn to play songs they know and love. To that end, I get students playing the music they want to play right from the beginning, often through personally crafted arrangements of songs/pieces of the student's choosing, specifically tailored to their current skill level. This way, technical and theoretical skills are learned through direct experience with actual music, and only very rarely through rote exercise.
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For more advanced players, I offer an array of strategies designed to take your playing to the next level. I find that the most common shortcomings of advanced players are conceptual. The technical skills are there but the level of conceptual and theoretical understanding has hit a wall. Many players find themselves playing the same chord shapes, melodic patterns, and harmonic progressions over and over again. I've had much success over the years in getting advanced students out of this rut and helping open up new pathways for exploration in both improvisation and composition.

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With me, you can expect to make weekly progress in your instrument of choice. I am a dedicated performer and an even more dedicated teacher. To me, the two go hand in hand.

Please allow me the opportunity in teaching you and in turn I will give you all the knowledge I possess.