
Isaac L.

Teaching Locations:



Teaching Locations:



Levels taught:
Beginner, IntermediateAbout Isaac L.
As I’ve developed my teaching style over the last ten years, I’ve found myself zeroing in on a few key qualities I want to cultivate in my students and in my self. These include great ears, a high proficiency on the instrument, and a strong and interactive sense of musicality. At the center of my practice is a devotion to personal growth and discovery. As a teacher, I find this by working in a variety of contexts. I have experience in a range of settings from classrooms to masterclasses, workshop performances to private lessons. No matter the context it is my goal to share with my students and those who will listen the lessons I have learned through music and to help them uncover their own. As such I am constantly striving to inspire personal connections to the music and a stronger sense of community
My experience ~
I have consistently taught private lessons to bass players, pianists, and other instrumentalists since 2010. I have also had the opportunity to teach over a dozen jazz clinics, including two separate visits to the annual Panama Jazz Festival to teach and perform. At Berklee I studied music pedagogy and continue to research pedagogy on my own time. Recently through a teacher training program I have participated in workshops learning the basics of Suzuki, Kodály, and Orff Shulwerk methods. I currently teach music classes part time at a Manhattan private school and part time in an El Sistema based after school strings program.
My students have gone on to win statewide competitions such as positions in the All State jazz band and orchestra. Some have participated in music festivals around the country such as the Newport Jazz Festival and others have continued on to study at the collegiate level at schools including McGill University and Northwestern University.
Reviews
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Isaac knows his stuff. He has been great in teaching music theory and piano. Easy to get in contact with and flexible in scheduling.

Isaac is an excellent teacher and is highly recommended. His method is not centered on drills, music reading or repetition, but rather on getting an understanding of how the notes, chords work together. In so doing, the student gets a great understanding of theory and it opens the door to improvisation. In addition he's very patient with folks such as myself who don't come to class with a deep understanding of music theory.

I have just begun lessons with Isaac. He is an excellent teacher; attuned to my needs, very good at explaining things, patient, very good at getting me to understand what I need to know. I look forward to learning upright bass with him!
Photos & Videos
9 Photos & VideosExperience
Music Faculty
Aug 2017 - PresentHeschel School
Isaac teaches both music appreciation as well as the 9th grade ensemble.
Low Strings Teacher
Aug 2017 - PresentHarmony Program
Isaac works with a wide range of strings students throughout the boroughs of NYC.
Assistant Faculty
Jun 2015 - PresentNew England Conservatory's Jazz Lab
Taught beginner to advanced middle and high school aged students during the week long summer program. Coached a jazz combo and instructed students on approaches to learning jazz repertoire and improvisation. Assisted in teaching a jazz styles class educating students on the history of jazz as well as different styles within the jazz idiom.
Private Lessons
Sep 2011 - PresentSelf
Isaac has been teaching private students since 2011, not long after he had started playing the upright bass seriously. To this day teaching private lessons helps him to dig deeper into his own musical studies as well.
Visiting Artist
Mar 2017 - Mar 2017Virginia Arts Festival
Developed a flexible program with the goal of introducing jazz music and improvisation to students grades 2 through 12. Adapted curriculum for a wide range of schools from a private arts school to a lower income public school. Taught 3-4 hour-long clinics a day at schools within the greater Norfolk area.
Guest Artists and Teacher
Jan 2017 - Jan 2017Panama Jazz Festival
Isaac spent a week at the Panama Jazz festival where he taught clinics and gave performances.
Artist and Teacher
Jan 2016 - Jan 2016Panama Jazz Festival
Teacher's Assistant for Ran Blake
Sep 2015 - Jan 2016New England Conservatory
RA
Jul 2013 - Aug 2013Litchfield Jazz Camp
Education
Masters of Music
Sep 2016 - Jun 2017Berklee College of Music's Global Jazz Institute
Bachelor of Music
Sep 2012 - May 2016New England Conservatory
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