A lifelong musician and songwriter, Ian S. has 16 years of extensive experience teaching guitar and piano to students of all ages both as a private music instructor and as a staff music instructor at the Institute of Music for Children in New Jersey. Ian has studied and performed with several award-winning music artists, and has written, recorded, and produced over a hundred songs. He plays and teaches a variety of styles on both the guitar and the piano, from classical to jazz to rock, and everything in between. Ian loves sharing the gift of music with anyone who wants to learn, and he is sought after by both local and online students for his unique and effective approach to teaching. His students consistently describe him as patient, friendly, and inspiring. Ian was the guitarist in the Princeton University Jazz Ensemble for 3 seasons, was selected from a nationwide pool of musicians to perform at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, and was the recipient of the New Jersey Governor's Award in Arts Education. *** Lesson Details *** I am very laid back and friendly. Through your lessons, you (or your child) will not only be playing songs you love, but will develop confidence and musical intelligence. I will make your lessons fun, enjoyable, and most of all effective. Boredom is not an option! Music is fun... let's keep it that way. The teaching methods I use will be custom-tailored to your individual needs, personality and specific goals. If it's guitar or piano you want to learn, I want to get you playing exactly what you want to be playing as soon as possible. That's what you're here for, and that's what I'm here for. If it's songwriting that you want to learn, I will help you access that place inside of you that is dying to express itself creatively, and will teach you techniques to harness that energy and translate it successfully into musical expression. You can expect to learn all the basics of music theory, proper playing techniques, improvisation and spontaneous musical expression, and I will help you develop your "ear" so you can figure out songs you like just by listening to them. This is all about you and your goals, and I want you to achieve them in a fun and engaging way. Life is short! What are you waiting for? *** Studio Equipment *** Living room: Upright piano, guitars, amps, keyboard, percussion *** Specialties *** I specialize in pop, rock, classical, jazz, blues, folk, fingerstyle guitar, etc. I also teach improvisation and songwriting, and try to help develop the student's ear for figuring out songs they like on their own.