Private Acoustic Guitar tutoring lessons Hollis, NY.

pel church, living in a building filled with musicians, accompanying vocal master classes, studying Sanskrit, Indian raga, world percussion, creative arts therapy and performance wellness.

I now compose and sing my songs - interweaving voice with keyboard or guitar. Besides teaching privately, I can be found performing my songs in clubs, outdoor festivals, coffee houses, and poetry/healing events. I currently attended a certificate program in sound & music healing and the focus of my music rests here. I incorporate many techniques to aid students in relaxation, breath awareness, and de-stressing.

Using traditional teaching methods, I create meaningful experiences for students by:
- being patient, flexible and creative in approach
- using visual, aural, and tactile teaching tools

*** Lesson Details ***
After 3 to 6 Months OF Lessons, you can use the important music fundamentals you've learned to create music you love.
After about a year, you are invited to share your music with others in an intimate family recital or a performance for charity in service to your community!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Upright piano, piano synthesizer, guitar, percussion instruments

*** Travel Equipment ***
Carolyn carries her own guitar, teaching aids, manuscript paper, pen/pencils, and handouts.

Recommended for students:
KEYBOARD - ideally, have your own keyboard/piano, piano books, staff paper
ACOUSTIC UKULELE/GUITAR - your own guitar, capo, tuner, staff & TAB paper (you can wait for teacher to help you choose)
VOICE - have sheet music, lyrics or charts of your songs
SONGWRITING - have manuscript paper, recording device and journal/tablets to record their ideas
ALL STUDENTS - small tablet for notes & keeping track of assignments and a recording device to hear your playing/singing/compositions (optional)

*** Specialties ***
Performing Singer-Songwriter specializing in improvisation and Sound & Music Healing.

of Brazil,  receiving TV and radio coverage. He has also done workshops and performed at the Conservatory of the state of Pernambuco. In August 2004 he performed weekly at Rio Scenarium in Rio de Janeiro. His Band Brooklyn Brazil Bop has played at Joe's Pub as well as Central Park Festival. His band the Brazilian Acoustic ensemble performs periodically at 'Barbes' an important performance space in Brooklyn NY. In 2007 he gave a successful jazz workshop and concert in the city of Florianopolis Brazil. Billy has been awarded 3 prestigious composer's residencies 2006 - Yaddo and 2007 - The MacDowell Colony. He was featured on the PBS news hour during his residence at MacDowell. In 2008 he was awarded another MacDowell residency and followed this with a 3 hour appearance presenting his compositions live on WKCR Jazz Radio and another live radio appearance with band in 2010. Billy regularly plays in many venues around NY in Jazz trio settings as well as with Brazilian vocalists and instrumentalists. Most Recently his groups have been performing at the famed Cornelia Street Cafe in New York City. He also specializes in solo guitar and can double on percussion (Pandeiro) and Cavaquinho. Billy has completed two CD's of his original music and an EP of his original Choro music. He has a BFA in Jazz Performance from CCNY.

Testimonials:
From Coda Magazine August 2012: by Seton Hawkins

Through outstanding collaborations like the Brazilian Acoustic Ensemble, guitarist and composer Billy N has emerged as a leading exponent of the music of Brazil. Exploring far beyond the well-trodden bossa nova path. Billy unearths the full range of styles the country offers, including choro, baiào, valsa and samba, and gives American audiences a rich panoramic glimpse into Brazilian art, highlighting its parallels with progressive jazz.

A recipient of composers residencies at Yaddo and MacDowell Colony, he is the curator of a three-day series at the club dedicated to the country's music. Billy will showcase his own group—a sextet with drummer Matt Kane, bassist Leco Reis, saxophonists Michael Attias and Eric Schugren and trumpeter Ben Holmes—in a concert primarily featuring his original works. SH

Reviews of my Book on Alfred Brazil: Guitar Atlas,  I love this series and this is the best of the six titles I have. Billy really knows his stuff; the analysis of time at the beginning is superb: something I now use in my teaching. This is definitely for intermediate and higher guitarists, but the pieces are worth the effort to get right, and the accompanying CD shows you what you are aiming for. This is as good as my other Brazilian guitar book (by Nelson Faria) and much more compact and easier to follow. Highly recommended!

#2

This book is essential homework for students of Brazilian guitar. It is one of the best resources out there, along with Nelson Faria's "The Brazilian Guitar Book." The original etudes are not only instructional, but are nice pieces in their own right. An excellent value.

*** Lesson Details ***
I've taught all levels over 20 years both in NYC and Brazil. I work with the material that the student wants and also through recordings and charts introduce much music that the student might have been unfamiliar with. My lessons are catered to the individual. There is no obstacle anyone has that is too great to work through. My approach to rhythmic training has helped many. I have simple way of breaking down the guitar fingerboard which can used as a guide to learn harmony. I'll get you into the horizontal aspects of guitar, traveling across the neck, making music across one string as well, mastering the guitar in a small fret range - " vertical position playing".

*** Studio Equipment ***
I have guitar for the student, either electric or nylon. Cavaquinho students bring their instrument. First time students must bring their instrument so I can see what they are playing on.

*** Specialties ***
Brazilian Fingerstyle - Choro, Samba, Baiao Solo
Jazz Guitar - Pick or Fingers
Beginning Flamenco
Cavaquinho
Improvisation for any instrument
Harmony and Theory

inging is encouraged, but not required.

und a unique musical voice as a result of his passion for jazz and his natural Tunisian folk music. During his second decade, the New York based drummer has played in European, African and Asian festivals with countless stellar jazz artists and Grammy winners from allover the globe. His reputation has steadily grown with every performance and he is rapidly becoming one of the most brilliant drummer composer of his generation.

"Ayman, you have a very mature and musical way of approaching odd meters, I haven't heard any better"! -Jimmy Cobb-

Ayman's love for music has taking him across the world including India where he studied at Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music and toured across the country with the prestigious Splendor of Masters playing with some of the most well known living legends of Indian music including Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Shubankar Banerjee and Prasanna. Few years later, Ayman has moved to New York City where he is currently based after he graduated from the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music with a strong merit scholarship.

A very unique player, a wonderful composer ! D.r -Ghatam Karthick-

Ayman has been leading his band in several prestigious Jazz Festivals around the world as well as winning several awards including the AFAC 2016 composers award. He has appeared playing as a drummer, pianist, konnakol vocalist and a multi hand percussionist in stages such as Reykjavic Jazz festival, Carthage international festival and Dubai Jazz festival.

h focuses on both learning by ear, substantial parental involvement, and then later reading music.) In high school I began studying jazz/blues improvisation, composition, and music theory. At Berklee College of Music I focused on jazz and all kinds of contemporary and traditional music.

After graduating I was awarded a position at the Henry Mancini Institute (2003) in Los Angeles and was privileged to work with some of the biggest names in music including Diana Krall and Christian McBride.

My favorite type of music to play these days is traditional Irish folk music, or "Irish trad". For the past few years I have immersed myself heavily in New York's traditional Irish music scene. I play regularly at several establishments in New York City alongside some of the city's finest Irish music players.

A large part of my teaching style is that you are having FUN, you are enjoying what you are learning, no matter your skill level. Even if you are an absolute beginner, we might work on playing the chorus or the riff of the song. For example, one year I had a very happy 6-year old boy learn the theme to Star Wars and another college student learning the music of MGMT.