Music Theory Lessons

in Passaic.

Amazing Teachers.

ver 25 years. In addition to guitar, I'm a vocalist, composer and arranger as well as a music publisher. I actively perform as both a classical guitarist and singer-songwriter.

PLEASE SPEAK TO ME before purchasing your child's instrument. A standard size steel string guitar can be difficult to handle and may discourage your child.

***NOTES ABOUT SPECIAL NEEDS***

Usually, learning disabilities, ADD & ADHD go together just fine with guitar lessons and frequently give these precious young people a creative outlet. Speak to me about your child's needs so I can prepare the best lessons possible!

Be aware that there are stairs to my home studio. Please take this into consideration if you have an ambulatory disability.

*** STUDIO EQUIPMENT ***

Home Studio, dedicated space, guitars and recording equipment, keyboard and amps, music stands, chairs, comfortable waiting area for parents.

the Guitar Department at the Manhattan School of Music, where he earned a master degree in composition. His mentors include composers Susan Botti, Reiko Fueting, and electronic music pioneer Joel Chadabe. He earned a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Florida, where he studied jazz guitar with Tom Lippincott, and composition with Susan Epstein-Garcia.

Juan is also an avid cartoonist, collector of rare books and little cars, food adventurer and runner.

*** Lesson Details ***
Guitar teaching encompasses many disciplines. One has to be a bit of a psychologist in order to gauge a potential student needs and musical sensibilities. The mathematical aspect of musical notation and rhythm makes us part mathematicians. In the end, there is also a self-actualizing aspect to guitar teaching in the sense that we are always witness to those moments that made us decide a career on music.
During my years of guitar teaching I have encountered many types of students, and I have learned from them as much as they have learned from me as they make me question aspects of music that I would have never thought about. I have learned to not take for granted the definition of concepts such as rhythm and harmony, and to look at guitar technique from different perspectives as I find ways to accommodate to a student’s capabilities. Ultimately, it is also a job that requires a lot of planning and structure. My first step, generally, is to assess the student’s ability and interest to find material suitable for them. Then, I proceed to familiarize with the student’s musical tastes and sensibilities to assign practice material accordingly. For example, if the student is interested in rock or pop music, we will work on a particular song that fits his level and also solves a particular technical problem. During that process I will answer any of the student’s questions, and provide insight into musical terminology. We will also work on basic concepts of rhythm, melody, and harmony. My training as a composer and jazz guitarists also enables me to tap into the student’s creative side. In that case, we would start with a basic blues progression and blues scales, and work on the basics of improvisation or songwriting.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Basement studio w/ small keyboard, amp, acoustic guitar, 3 electric guitars, music books w/ seating for parents and lots of magazines!

*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide music sheets, students should have an instrument, tuner, paper, pencil, and a metronome.

*** Specialties ***
I teach fundamentals of music theory, principles of jazz improvisation, classical guitar technique and repertoire, song writing, pop songs, sight reading, and overall musicianship, as well as Jazz, Rock, Blues, Bossa Nova, and other Latin Styles.

ryn Terfel with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Liverpool, England, Dorinda(Orlando) with Cantanti Project, Pamina (Die Zauberflöte) with Opera Manhattan Studio, Frasquita (Carmen) with One World Symphony, Zerlina (Don Giovanni) and Clorinda (La Cenerentola) with Capitol Heights Opera, Alice (Le comte Ory) with West Side Opera Society, Adele (Die Fledermaus), Susanna (Le Nozze di Figaro), and Myrrhine (Lysistrata) with Opera Avanti, Gilda (Rigoletto) with Académie Internationale d'Eté de Nice, and The First Spirit (Die Zauberflöte) with the Opera Company of Brooklyn.

My international credits include performances under the direction of Conductor Laurent Pillot at the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Liverpool, England;the Académie Internationale d'Eté de Nice, France; the Daniel Ferro Vocal Program in Chianti,Italy; the International Vocal Arts Institute in Tel Aviv, Israel where I was selected to sing for the Japanese Ambassador.

I made appearances as a soloist at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Symphony Space, Town Hall, and MOMA museum in New York City and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.
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As a versatile singer, I was presented as an aspiring opera singer on the website of Maybelline New York. Her voice was featured in short films for the Japanese technology company NEC. I appeared as a soprano soloist for the opera, Jazz and theater collaboration of "TAKE ABITE" by David Antonio Cruz. I also sings Broadway songs and continues her musical theater studies. She is an active recitalist and also performs Oratorio works.

I was also a finalist at the Opera Idol Competition at Lincoln Center in New York City, The Hariclea Darclée Voice Competition in Romania and the Mario Lanza and Elaine Malbin Vocal Competition in New York City. Ms. Uchida was selected as a vocal scholarship recipient at Savannah music festival.

Her upcoming engagements in 2019 include performing concerts with Philharmonie Teplice, Neubrandenburg, Germany, the title role of Lucia di Lammermoore and a lieder recital with Opera After Hours, New York. Ms. Uchida gave a recital hosted by Russian Cultural Center in Kiev 2019. Asuka is invited to give a recital at Festival dell’arte in Wojanow, Poland in August 2019.

Besides being an opera singer, I have been teaching piano and voice for 11 years. I would like to share my skills and experience with you. Since I perform often, I can coach you how to perform on stage in addition to building solid technique and languages. Also, I have taught various kinds of music, such as Rock, Broadway musicals, Pop music, so we can work on all kind of music.

I look forward to teaching you soon!

*** Lesson Details ***
My students can expect to improve their skills and start to enjoy music more as we work together.
I believe that learning music is fun and enjoyable. However you also need to be serious and focused.
I can demonstrate various and specific techniques, phrasing, and interpretation and will always coach on how to develop your skills. However, I feel it is important for students to think critically on their own and take the first try at solving a problem themselves. I cannot emphasize enough that primarily it is you who find the ways to improve. Leaning music is a collaboration between teachers and students. I hope that through my lessons, students will become more self-sufficient and confident as musicians.
Let me help you become a better musician.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Piano (Clavinova), music stand, and desk.

*** Travel Equipment ***
By Subway, the closest station is 23rd street. You can take C, E train(within one block). 1 train(one block), M, F train (2 blocks).

Manhattan school of music pre college division (where he has been a faculty member since 1994) and piano, theory and composition at the JCC on the Palisades Thurnauer school of music,where he also served as theory department chair from 1999 - 2005.
The newest addition to Dan's expending circle is The Red Bank Regional High School for the performing arts where he has a been a guest lecturer since fall of 2011.

Dan has been giving private lessons of music and music related subjects for over 20 years.

The system Dan developed over the years of teaching is based on two fundamental principles-
The paramount importance of developing sound traditional skills and the strong conviction that you should always tailor the method to the student and never tailor the student to the method.

Dan's eclectic background enables him to draw on a wide range of musical styles and techniques, fulfilling the needs of students from all walks of the musical experience. Lessons are available in the following areas for all ages and levels:

Piano - classical

Piano - contemporary / jazz / Broadway.

Piano - eclectic

Composition

Song writing, arranging and producing

Music theory, General theory, Jazz and popular music theory, a special AP music theory preparation workshop.

*** Lesson Details ***
I am a strong believer in combining traditional skills and sensibilities with a strong affinity to today's musical and pop culture, While I am an extremely patient teacher, I do expect (and achieve) results. If a student starts with me from scratch they should be able to play real piano tunes within 6 months.

*** Studio Equipment ***
living area piano seating for parents

*** Travel Equipment ***
The student needs to have a piano/keyboard

*** Specialties ***
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Broadway, composition, song writing, music for film, production, music history, theory, ear training, AP preparation.

Hall debut with the Zephyr Duo as a prize winner in the Artists International Competition. Both as a solo artist and chamber musician, she has performed throughout the Metropolitan New York area in venues such as Trinity Church, Mannes and Manhattan Schools of Music, the Connell Library, Drew University, Watchung Art Center, Summit Presbyterian Church, Atlantic Highlands Chamber Music Series and others. Her performances also included appearances at Lacawac Sanctuary, Lake Ariel, PA, Solstice Festival at Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, Benefit concerts for New Sussex Symphony, Bucks County Symphony and NJ Symphony orchestras, as well as chamber music recitals at Livingston Music Club, Women's Club in Glen Ridge, Temple University.

Ms. S. currently maintains a private piano studio. She is an active member of Music Educators Association of New Jersey and sits annually on a panel of judges for the association.

Teaching Philosophy:

I believe that learning to play an instrument should be an integral part of every child's education. Music enriches emotional and intellectual development, provides a source of joy and fulfillment. My teaching philosophy is based on emphasizing individuality of each student. I teach students ages 5 through adult, and try to find a way to make it interesting, exciting, intellectually stimulating and rewarding for each individual.

- I incorporate elements of Suzuki method into my teaching for young beginners combining it with traditional Russian school methods and various others depending on student's needs.

- I believe in providing strong technical basis for piano playing and teach my students skills and tools to make practicing on their own efficient.

- I include music theory, ear-training, and elements of music history into my piano lessons

- I prepare my students to participate in annual MEA auditions, as well as recitals and competitions. I am an enthusiastic and devoted teacher who loves sharing my knowledge and creates an environment in which a student can learn and grow.

ege of Music Learning Center for subjects such as harmony, ear training, arranging and counterpoint. As a music tutor, I was responsible for helping students, who were having trouble, advance in these subjects.

Along with teaching, I continue working as a composer and performer for a variety of local and remote projects ranging from music for film to concert music for jazz orchestra.

Please let me know if you have any questions,
Looking forward to working with you!