Bronx, NY Guitar Lessons

over 10 years, including group classes and private lessons. Below are some of the goals in my teaching method and what students can benefit in every lesson:

- Explaining the structure of guitar and giving the basic information about the instrument
- Instructing students about both the basic and advance techniques in guitar playing
- Striking a fine blend of theory and practicality while teaching guitar playing
- Ability to understand the needs, short and long term goals of different students and changing the methods of teaching accordingly
- Preparing students for student recitals or public performances if necessary

I'm funny, friendly, outgoing, and love to play guitar. I’m also flexible and easy to work with, however when it comes to learning I’m strict and serious. Some of my students call me “Three-Face”, for I’m not only your teacher but also your friend and your coach: I will introduce you to the world of guitar as a teacher; jam and have fun with you as a friend; and I will train you and make sure you are on the right as a coach.

I like all kinds of music, from Classical to Metal and everything in between. Some of my favorite bands/artists who influence me include: Joe Satriani, Slash, Santana, Jimi Hendrix, AC/DC, Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Led Zeppelin, Disturbed, Antoine Carre, Niccolo Paganini, Antonio Vivaldi…

Sharing my knowledge in music and guitar makes me happy, and it is the greatest joy for me to see my students grow and play the music they like. Guitar lessons should be fun and enjoyable, yet challenging.

Thank you very much for visiting my page and I hope to teach you soon!

Best wishes,

- Sylivan T.

*** Lesson Details ***
During our first lesson, we will first talk about your goal and music direction that you want to pursuit. Then based on your goal and direction, I will customize a curricular track and briefly explain the things that you need to know and what you need to focus on in order to achieve your goal.

As your instructor, my goal is to help you to reach your goals and to have fun with the music you enjoy. In each lesson, according to your progress, I will introduce you new concepts/materials using fun and easy-to-learn activities. Then we will work on the materials together and have fun jamming together. Yes!! You will feel like you are jamming along with your friend instead of taking a guitar lesson, because guitar lessons suppose to be fun!!!

Each particular lesson I will assign you some assignments. They would either be things that we already jammed on during the lesson, or something that I want you to work on your own. Then when we meet again, we will go over the assignments together and I will give you comments and advises to help you play better.

Below are only some of the instructional books that I usually use for teaching beginners. I will also use other instructional books and music repertories according to the ability of the students and their music style:

- Hal Leonard Guitar Method: Will Schmid and Greg Koch
- Alfred’s Basic Guitar Method: Alfred d’ Auberge and Morton Manus
- Hal Leonard Rock Guitar Method: Michael Mueller
- Solo Guitar Playing: Frederick M. Noad

From my experience as a teacher and student, I believe there is no such thing as a “Perfect Instructional Book”. Therefore along with the above instructional books I will add in some other activities and exercises written by myself.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I expect my students to have a guitar and a chromatic tuner. Also a note book, some staff paper, and a pen and a pencil.

For electric guitar, it's necessary to have an amp and a .25 inch cable at home

*** Specialties ***
Usually use Mei Bay Guitar Method as a general guide and text for guitar teaching.

*** Specialized in classical, rock, blues, and pop ***

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!

and HER sound, a challenge which continues to manifest itself even today in a variety of ways. Kathy is now a singer/songwriter and performs often with her own band in which she sings, plays guitar, writes her own songs and arranges them for intricate backup harmonies and multiple instrumentation. A variety of influences are apparent in her music, including the musical genres of folk, pop, jazz, and yes, even hip hop. She has recorded three albums of her music and all have been received to critical acclaim.

She sings as a professional cantor at St. John the Baptist Church in Manhattan, and teaches private voice, guitar and piano lessons throughout the city of New York. She served for a time as the general music teacher for St. Dominic's School in the Bronx, where she was responsible for Pre-K through 8th grade music classes, and, true to form, she is often called upon in a multitude of situations to perform in a variety of musical genres. She is always pleased with the ever-changing musical scenery around her.

*** Lesson Details ***
A lesson with Kathy equals half of the allotted time being used to learn good technique (i.e., learning healthy vocal habits, singing vocalizes, learning to read music, playing scales, etc.) and the other half of the time singing and playing repertoire. The repertoire includes both pieces chosen by Kathy (always approved by the student) which excite and inspire the student's particular musical tastes while providing a new challenge in technique to be conquered, and also pieces brought in by the student; for example, if a student is working on music for a specific performance, etc., or if they just really like a piece and want to learn how to play or sing it, Kathy is always ready and willing to lend a hand and an ear!

Vocally, Kathy believes good basic technique is the same for every genre of music. Therefore, great emphasis is placed on learning to breathe and support your sound correctly as well as maintain good posture, rid your body of unwanted tensions, etc.; musical styles beyond that basic technique change only in small stylistic ways, and Kathy is knowledgeable in quiet a variety of most musical styles.

With guitar, Kathy focuses on learning to read and play musical notation and chords without using guitar tablature. Again, a variety of musical styles are used for instruction, including everything from classical to punk!

And with piano, Kathy focuses on learning to read and play musical notation as well as mastering scales and chord progressions, inversions, etc. She loves opportunities to combine voice lessons with guitar lessons, or voice lessons with piano lessons, as one instrument feeds into the other in interesting and helpful ways.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I travel with my travel guitar and music for lessons. I expect guitar students to have their own guitar, and piano or voice students to have some sort of keyboard, even a small one.

*** Specialties ***
all-levels voice, beginning guitar, beginning piano
I specialize in a classical voice method, which I believe is a good foundation for all styles of singing. I have experience with classical singing, music theatre (I have a minor from my undergraduate education in Theatre) and folk. I'm an experienced songwriter and am able to guide students in that area.

I teach notes and chords for my guitar students. I don't teach guitar tablature; instead, I teach basic guitar music on the staff.

Also, I teach beginning piano, including basic music theory, note spelling, etc.

de myself on being very open minded in terms of musical taste. Never apologize for liking what you like! I bet there is something in that music which is great. I can't wait to learn something from the music you introduce to me.

I be glad to provide a full resume to anyone who requests it.

*** Lesson Details ***

My most important goal for each student is that they get to where they want to be musically.

I want the student to be able to play the way he or she wants to play. If you want to learn to play one song, that is great! If you want to learn to play one classical etude that is just as great! If you want to learn how to play in a salsa band, bravo! I treat the desires of my students as my curriculum. Each student will receive special prep time from me each week. I pride myself in taking the time and energy to prepare for each meeting. Every time you complete a lesson, it is my hope that you are walking away as a better musician.

In the beginning I hope to find what will musically interests you the most. Usually, you might have a goal that requires you to play on a higher level than you do presently. If that is true, we might take some time to figure out a road map to get you to that place. Along the way, I'm sure you and I will learn many new concepts and techniques that aid you in becoming the bassist/musician you want to be.

And rest assured, the teacher always learns from the student...this is the best part of teaching: learning from the student.

*** Studio Equipment ***

Studio: 3 electric basses, plenty of amps and chords, one acoustic bass, piano, ukulele, guitar, computer playback and recording.

*** Travel Equipment ***
As requested

*** Specialties ***
I have been lucky to play tons of different types of music. I believe I can give musicians and aspiring musicians a deep understanding of what is most important in many different styles of music. Music I have been lucky enough to study and play professionally: Jazz, Rock, Funk, Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, Blues, Classical, Pop.
I'm also a very good transcriber, so if there is a song you heard on the radio we can definitely play it! Ear training could be an area in which I could be of service to you as well.
I have many arranging and composing credits and I would be glad to help students in this area whenever requested.

y together, or have mini concerts to display the finished product of students' labor and encourage them towards new musical heights!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Yamaha Grand Piano, Acoustic/Electric Guitar, Classical Guitar

*** Travel Equipment ***
Guitar and my jeep

*** Specialties ***
When teaching piano, because I specialize in classical, I emphasize sight-reading, theory and performance from the very first lesson. As soon as possible, I have student memorize pieces appropriate to their level. I begin each lesson with memory work, move into sight-reading and analysis of the new work, or exercise. This way a student has a multi-faceted approach to music they are learning, and once they have learned it, they are continually adding to their repertoire. I work this way because many students are overwhelmed at the beginning of the learning stage. Examining the theory behind the composition helps them understand it, and approach it with less apprehension. Also, having pieces they can play from memory every week reminds them of the finished product of their labor and encourages them towards the new work.

a, or Bach, the concepts underlying music are basically the same. I will make sure you can play the music you love and hopefully help you explore new music as well.

*** Studio Equipment ***
In my studio I have a Guild Classical, Alvarez Acoustic, and Epiphone Electric.

All the accessories needed as well. Music Stands, Foot Stools, Picks, Straps, Slides, Tuners, Books, etc.

I also use an iMac in lessons. I like incorporating technology when appropriate, to look up tunes, or do a recording session, it's a necessary tool to learn nowadays.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I will bring everything we need to conduct a proper lesson remotely. I do recommend you have your own guitar though.

*** Specialties ***
For all the advanced knowledge I have and years of teaching students of all kinds, my favorite is teaching beginners. I love seeing someone come in with no knowledge of music, and taking them from milestone to milestone. I love watching new musicians blossom.

I play, teach, and perform most frequently in classical, rock, blues, and pop genres.

helping you accomplish your musical goals.