Chappaqua, NY Guitar Lessons

365 Track Pro recording studio
Demos to completed CD's.

GUITAR & PIANO

*** Travel Equipment ***
Guitar & Keyboard

*** Specialties ***
All styles from blues to classical

ils ***
I'm a laid back teacher with an easy going nature, but I do expect my students to put time into their practicing. I customize my curriculum based on your needs. If you are a complete beginner who really has a desire to learn the instrument, we will focus on technique, theory and improvisation as it applies to your favorite styles and songs.

For students who want to play more casually, we will focus on mastering techniques that will get you playing your favorite tunes while bypassing the theoretical aspects.

Intermediate/Advanced students are welcome to choose the areas they feel they need to improve, whether it's understanding how to apply modes to your soloing or developing a fluid sweeping technique.

My home studio has a spare guitar and amp for your convenience.

*** Studio Equipment ***
space with instruments seating for parents

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in Rock/Metal/Blues but can teach all genres comfortably.

My method is custom tailored to the student. If gaining a deep knowledge of the instrument is his/her goal I focus on technique, theory, and application through improvisation. If a student would rather learn their favorite songs I spend the majority of the time focusing on the techniques needed to perform the tune and pepper in a little theory where applicable.

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.

no : 7 years