Mount Vernon Music Lessons

is students for competitions, audition preparation and professional concerts. Each year his students have the opportunity to perform at the world-renowned Steinway Hall in New York City. This yearly student recital gives students the opportunity to perform in one of New York City’s most sought after recital Halls located in midtown Manhattan. In July of 2014 Paul became a Steinway Educational partner. In 2008, Paul received a Masters Degree in piano performance from New York University. In 2006, he received a Bachelor Degree of Music from Stony Brook University.
As a Pianist, In 2006 Paul was a prizewinner at the Music Club of Douglaston Piano Competition. For two consecutive years, Paul was awarded The Suffolk County Piano Forum Prize. XLNT Music recently wrote, “Paul is a fine pianist that performs with superb pianism and great sensitivity.”
 His recent public performances include Ecuador South America, Steinway Hall NYC, The United Nations, Faust Harrison Hall, Saint Peters NYC and The Staller Center. Paul has performed with The Stony Brook Symphony Orchestra and The New York University Symphony Orchestra. He has studied with well-known piano teachers including: Martin Canin, Morey Ritt, Tina Dahl, and Anita Gelber. In 2011 he released a record consisting of his performance of original compositions for solo piano that is available in bookstores and on iTunes.
As a composer Paul has composed music for the feature film Documentary Between the Shades, directed by Jill Salvino and premiered at the Soho International Film Festival in 2017. In 2014, Paul was the composer for the radio show Ackerman Associates Meets Dracula written and directed by Peter Stass. In 2014 he wrote the score for, Lies People Tell, a short film that premiered at the san pedro film festival. In 2011, he released his first solo record Succession of images, a song cycle for solo piano. In 2017, he released his second record Hope, a chamber music work recorded with clarinetist Thomas Piercy and Violinist Patrisa Tomassini. Recent public piano performances of his music include Ecuador in South America, Steinway Hall NYC, The United Nations, Spectrum NYC, Faust Harrison Hall, Saint Peters in NYC and The Staller Center in Stony Brook NY.

As an artist, Paul is known for creating large instillations, paintings and live performing art pieces. From 2014-2016, he was the artist in residence at Spectrum Gallery in NYC. In 2014, he completed the Elevator Time Machine, a large instillation made of elevator parts that responds to sound. He also wrote and produced a 20 minute live art piece called Static in Movement for piano and video. His acrylic on canvas works have also been presented at Spectrum NYC, The Art Bar, The Gallery at Logos and Ward-Nasse gallery.

Education New York University
Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development
Piano Performance. M.A. December 2008

Stony Brook University
Music. B.A. 2006

Professional Experience
Private Music Studio: 2004-present
Instructor for piano, voice and composition; working primarily with students K-12.
• Develop individualized music plans that encourages growth and self motivated study.
• Well equipped to prepare students for the New York State Music Association Exam.
• Expertise guiding students to reach their maximum potential by using assignments that are challenging but not impossible.
• Experience preparing students for music college applications and auditions.
• Successfully prepare student recitals on a yearly basis.
• Effectively communicate with parents and engage them in their child’s music education.

Performing Arts Center of New York: 2013
• Developed and delivered a curriculum connecting the major composers and artists of the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic and Contemporary Periods.

Cultural House of Ecuador: 2009-2011
• Created and taught classes about the periods in music and art and how they coexist together.
• Created and taught group classes in beginner music theory and composition.

High School students in Quevedo Ecuador: 2012
• Created and taught workshops in music theory and composition.

Adjunct Instructor at New York University: 2007-2009
Instructor for New York University Keyboard Harmony and Improvisation courses.
• Created and taught a curriculum for beginner, intermediate and advanced keyboard classes.
• Created lesson plans to enhance musicality and keyboard skills for university music major and minor students.

Instructor for New York University private piano students
• Instructed music students in beginner, intermediate and advanced piano.

Our Lady of Angelus Catholic School: 2007
• Created and taught a curriculum in beginner piano to elementary school students.

Awards
• Prize Winner, TMMC Piano Competition, 2007
• Award of Honor, The Suffolk County Piano Teachers Forum Prize In recognition of outstanding achievement in piano performance, 2006
• Award of Honor, The Suffolk County Piano Teachers Forum Prize
In recognition of outstanding achievement in piano performance, 2005
Professional Affiliations
• Suffolk Piano Teacher’s Forum
• College Music Society
• Music Teacher’s National Association
• American Composers Forum
• Steinway and Sons
• American Society of Composers
• Tuesday Morning Music Club

Private Study
• Anita Gelber, 2002-2012
• Martin Canin, New York University, 2006-2008
• Justin Dello Joio, New York University, 2007-2008
• Morey Ritt, Queens College, 2006
• Tina Dahl, Stony Brook University, 2004-2006

Selected Recent Concert Performances
• Westport Library, Connecticut, NY, 2016
• Douglaston Community Church, Douglaston, NY, 2015
• All Saints Memorial Church, NJ, 2014
• Firehouse Space, Brooklyn, NY, 2014
• Spectrum NYC, New York, NY, 2014, 2013
• Steinway Hall, New York, NY, 2014, 2013, 2012
• University of Quevedo, Ecuador, 2013
• Saint Peters Church, New York, NY, 2011

Selected Film and Theater Composer Credits
• Between the Shades – Feature Film Documentary, 2016
• Lies People Tell – Short Film, 2014
• Ackerman and Associates Meet Dracula – Live Radio Show, 2013
• Magical Quark Particle – Science Art Film, 2012

Discography
• Hope, 2017
• Succession of Images, 2011

Recent Art Expositions
• Spectrum NYC, 2014-2016
• Gallery at Logos, 2012-2016
• Port Jefferson Village Center, 2012
• Ward Nasse Gallery, 2011

*** Lesson Details ***
My goal as a teacher is to make students successful in their goals. I work with a variety of people; some of them study music for personal enjoyment and others for their musical career. Everyone responds differently to music, that is why I prepare special lessons for each student. It is important that my students enjoy what they are playing and for that reason I have a variety of repertoire that they can choose from.
From a lot of experience with beginner piano students, both young and adults, I have been able to find a regimen of piano teaching that combines time efficiency with fun. As the lessons continue, I slowly add new tools to each weekly lesson that are exiting and interesting. While working with intermediate to advanced students, I have had coached them to apply and get accepted into some of the top Universities and Conservatories in the country. My students, beginner intermediate and advanced levels, have been awarded for their performances and activities in schools and competitions.
I am also a composition teacher. I work with composition students from beginner to advance. My composition students, over the years, range from all ages starting at 7. My students, after the first year, have been able to write string quartets and piano trios. My advanced students have entered competitions all over the country and are very successful in their composition practice. Some of their compositions have been performed in famous concert halls and schools.
As a vocal coach, I work with students of all ages. The repertoire that I recommend to beginner students includes Disney, Broadway and classical music. For intermediate and advanced vocal student, I have successfully prepared them for competitions, Broadway and University auditions as well as personal enjoyment.
Most recently I held a piano, composition and vocal recital for my students at the world famous Steinway Hall in New York City. I believe that some students work better when there is motivation for performance activities. For that reason I host these type of events. Students that decide they want to take place in these events perform among all levels. I offer these performance opportunities as an invitation. Each student has a choice as to whether they would like to perform.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Yamaha Grand Piano

*** Specialties ***
*Teachers classified as a Student Favorite have taught a minimum of 25
lessons and have received the highest feedback rating from students.Classical, Jazz, Blues, Broadway

myself along with the experience of teaching beginners to advanced players in many different styles to be able to design the perfect lesson plan for you!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Fender Amplifiers
Fender Electric Guitars
A Francisco Manuel Diaz Flamenco guitar
Various Steel string acoustics
Various Recording equipment

*** Travel Equipment ***
An electric, steel string acoustic, or nylon string guitar and a small amplifier if needed. as well as all necessary materials for the lesson.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in teaching Rock, Jazz, Blues, Funk, and Pop music on both electric and acoustic guitar.

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

, tailoring lesson plans to suit their personal goals and interests. I have experience playing and teaching an extensive range of styles including pop, rock, jazz, country, metal, and classical. One of my main goals is to foster a sense of musical understanding with every student so that they may learn to combine technical, theoretical, and aural skills into a unified whole.

Most students want to learn to play songs they know and love. To that end, I get students playing the music they want to play right from the beginning, often through personally crafted arrangements of songs/pieces of the student's choosing, specifically tailored to their current skill level. This way, technical and theoretical skills are learned through direct experience with actual music, and only very rarely through rote exercise.
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For more advanced players, I offer an array of strategies designed to take your playing to the next level. I find that the most common shortcomings of advanced players are conceptual. The technical skills are there but the level of conceptual and theoretical understanding has hit a wall. Many players find themselves playing the same chord shapes, melodic patterns, and harmonic progressions over and over again. I've had much success over the years in getting advanced students out of this rut and helping open up new pathways for exploration in both improvisation and composition.

to virtually any genre of music. Whether you want to pursue a career as an opera singer, rock star, pop singer, or you just want to sing for the sheer pleasure of it doesn't matter. What matters is that you sing. Looking forward to hearing from you!