Somerville, NJ Piano Lessons

I also offer hour lessons

30 minute voice/speech session - Typically work improving your voice through various exercises and strategies. I also offer hour lessons

*** Studio Equipment ***
I use my Macbook Pro to record lessons and distribute them to students via a free Dropbox account. IN PERSON LESSONS ONLY.

and your family to achieve your music education goals!

he Boston and Philadelphia area.
In 2011, I successfully obtained my master's degree in Jazz Studies from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. The master's program was an intense submersion in music performance that shaped me into the musician that I am today. I was lucky to study with Don Glanden, Mike Kennedy, and Kevin Hanson.
I am also well versed in computer recording software and DAWs. I teach students how to use software programs such as Logic and Reason as well as notation software like Sibelius and Finale. With some basic training in these programs, I can teach a student how to effectively record and produce professional quality recordings so that a student can write, record, and produce their own music.

*** Lesson Details ***
Because I've studied with some legendary teachers who have taught some legendary students (like John Mayer), I'm able to pass on to my students the same knowledge that these incredible teachers passed on to me. I guarantee that I will be unlike any guitar teacher that you've had before. Along with instrumental training, I offer extensive lessons in music theory and ear training. My family is full of educators and I've experienced the teacher-student relationship from a young age. I am fully committed to developing lesson plans based on the route that a student wants to take, whether it's just learning the basics and playing along to your favorite songs or engaging in serious study and preparing for college auditions. I am available to teach at any location within the Philadelphia area.

*** Stylistic Focus ***
I specialize in jazz and blues. At Berklee, I was able to take instrumental labs that spent an entire semester focusing on the playing style of certain guitarists. I've taken the Wes Montgomery lab, the Pat Martino lab, the Jimi Hendrix lab, the John Scofield lab, and the Stevie Ray Vaughan lab.

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.

Princeton ProMusica.

*** Lesson Details ***
NOW OFFERING SKYPE LESSONS IN ALL SUBJECTS!
Teaching fundamental musicianship skills are crucial to becoming a skilled musician. Not only will I be teaching Voice, Piano, and Beginning Acoustic Guitar, I will also be teaching Music Theory, and how to properly read music. I expect all students to develop the necessary skills and drive to succeed. I have an array of music books for classical and contemporary sheet music for all ages and levels. Students should incorporate practicing into daily routines for a minimum of 30 mins 4 days a week. Students will be provided with a weekly practice log that will be check at each lesson. Students should be progressing each lesson and will be provided with the necessities to do so! I want ALL of my students to have fun and enjoy learning!

*** Travel Equipment ***
Full keyboard, acoustic guitar, and an array of Voice, Piano and Guitar music and books. Students are expected to be prepared with notebooks and pencils.

*** Specialties ***
Piano
Classical and Musical Theatre for Voice
Beginning Acoustic Guitar

entascales (5-note scales), full scales and chords, etudes, etc. Then we work on repertoire, learning new songs which challenge the student to expand his/her musicianship skills, with beginners using a lesson book while intermediate and advanced students become familiar with the traditional body of piano literature.
For beginners, theory is taught using accompanying theory books. For more intermediate/advanced students, theory is incorporated into the lesson using the music the student is studying.
Composing can be added into the lesson when the student is ready. The student is guided through the process of writing a song and then enters it into the computer and prints it out for their very own copy. When enough students have completed original compositions, I host a composition recital where students can play their creations.

ol in Ukraine where I was trained to become a professional performer with classical repertoire being my main specialty. I have performed for many concerts as well as been part of many competitions which made me confident in my skills.

I have accompanied for various events such as school graduations, school musicals, school choir, competitions, auditions, church events, Sunday services, and holiday events.

I have over 8 years experience in teaching piano to beginner and intermediate levels. I believe that it is a teacher's duty to instill the passion in students by finding a unique and creative way to get them engaged. I combine different methods when teaching music because that each student's learning experience and interest level is different. I usually want to get to know the person and try to establish connection and then I proceed to finding out what method will work best for them.