Saxophone Lessons in Yonkers, NY

Over the course of 10 years teaching experience, I have gained tremendous success teaching saxophone to students young and old. I have taught in conservatories as well as privately, and have refined my methods of teaching the passionate rigor which music demands.

I currently have a private studio where I teach, on 72nd Street in Manhattan. I can also travel to your home. I teach Classical and Klezmer music, to kids and adults who have never played an instrument before, as well as advanced players. I also teach theory.

I am a devoted teacher, and over so many years, I feel what I have to offer my students has grown exponentially. I know how to work with individuals on their own terms, and have a good sense of how my own playing can help inspire and guide my students.

Saxophone is such a fun instrument to play because it is all about style. The more energy and dynamics used, the greater sounding a piece will be. In addition to focusing on technique, I teach to understand the passion behind the song so that it's not only fun to listen to, but also to play.

Music is a universal language, and it is for everyone.
I believe in a fun and safe learning environment, and my goal as a teacher is to have the student leave the lesson feeling inspired, encouraged, and connected. I was touched by music at a young age, and it remains to be the most amazing, and the most positive force in my life, and it's been truly rewarding to be able to share this magic with aspiring musicians.
Throughout the years, I helped many of my students develop a strong bond with music. Many of them have succeeded in school ensembles and became award winning soloists.
Upon graduating from high school, some have moved on to pursue music in college and beyond, while some of them continue to enjoy playing as a hobby : )

Saxophone playing has been a part of my life from as early as remember. My father was a jazz saxophonist and this inadvertently led me toward a similar path. I have been playing professionally since the age of 18 and play gigs every week in the set coast area. I have studied with some of the best saxophone teachers on the planet at Berklee, and constantly draw on information they passed along to me when expressing my style of teaching. I think people automatically assume that if you play saxophone you must play jazz, but I feel that there are so many stylistic opportunities with this flexible instrument. i've managed to play on gigs of all genres with what I know and the approach I take to playing. In my lessons I like to focus on fundamentals but then on how such fundamentals can be applied to different playing situations. From the beginner to Immediate player I really try to focus on sound quality and production, finger technique, time, articulation, theory and building a ...

Beginners: posture, breathing techniques, embouchure, sound production, articulation, phrasing, note reading
Intermediate: interpretation of different styles, dynamics, ensemble performance, building solid technique and stamina
Advanced: studying of orchestra excerpts, solo pieces, study of various concert and chamber music compositions

I work with the student to develop a curriculum based on their musical interests and my own teaching pedagogy. I strongly feel that for musicians to own their education, they must have a say in what they play. Assigning method books and mindless etudes to practice doesn't have nearly the same effect asking them "Ok, what kind of music do YOU like? What do you want to PLAY? What do you want to LEARN?".

I believe that students learn best when they are invested in a subject, and the best way to get them invested is to individually get to know each one, speak to them on their level, and get them playing music they're interested in.