Music Recording with Jeffrey A.

Learn what only personalized instruction from an attentive teacher can provide. "I want to make good citizens. If a child hears fine music from the day of his birth and learns to play it himself, he develops sensitivity, discipline and endurance. He gets a beautiful heart." --Shin'ichi Suzuki (creator of the Suzuki Method) I am a professional musician, educator, and music therapist who has traveled the world musically... and literally! I look forward to working with you. EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS: Private Music Instructor 2003 – Present, Self Employed – Greater NYC *Private, personalized, in-home bass and guitar music instruction for beginning to advanced-intermediate level students Licensed Creative Arts Therapist (Music Therapist) 2012 -- Present, New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation, King's County Hospital Center - Brooklyn, NY *Lead group and individual music therapy sessions in an in-patient psychiatric setting. Staff Bassist: February 2007 – July 2012, First Corinthian Baptist Church – Harlem, NY *Bass guitar accompaniment, composition, and solos for all church choirs (Mass, Sanctuary, Young Adult, and Children’s) at weekly church services, concerts, and guest preaching engagements at outside churches in greater NYC *Contemporary, traditional, and original gospel music; repertoire acquired by ear, music director’s instruction, chart reading, and personal composition; extensive improvisation *Notable performances: Sound The Alarm NYC (with Tye Tribbett and James Hall), Davell Crawford (guest director), David Bratton (guest director) Staff Bassist, Guitarrón Player: 1998 – 2007, Sague Presents Entertainment Agency – Pittsburgh, PA *Bass guitarist for Guaracha Latin Dance Band (salsa big-band), Miguel’s Caribbean Knight’s (steel pan), and Miguel’s Latino Moods (Latin jazz) *Guitarrón player for Miguel’s Mariachi Fiesta (strolling mariachi band) *Notable performances: Seminar At Sea, winter Caribbean tour 2006-2007, performance of National Anthem and live radio broadcast at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, 2000 Other notable musical highlights: *Hammerstein Ballroom, NYC, Dipset Reunion Tour, 2010 *Apollo Theater, Harlem, Jazz Foundation performance with the Floyd Lee Blues Band, 2009 *Featured artist on Richard Khuzami's Fused world music album, with Omar Faruk Tekbilek, 2006 *Mi Sandz voted “Best R&B Performer” by Sheridan Broadcasting Corporation (WAMO 106.7), Pittsburgh, 2003 *Featured performer with National Urban League Youth Choir, National Urban League National Convention, 2003 *Perform on set of Mister Roger’s Neighborhood, WQED Studios, Pittsburgh, 2001 EDUCATION: Master of Arts in Music Therapy, New York University, 2010-2012 *University Academic Scholarship Bachelor of Arts in Music (Jazz Concentration), University of Pittsburgh, 1994 - 1998 *University Academic Scholarship *Graduated Magna Cum Laude *Semester At Sea Alumni, Spring 1996 (traveled the world) Private instruction: Jim Ferla (Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pittsburgh) - classical guitar, Joe Negri (Duquesne University, University of Pittsburgh, Mr. Roger's Neighborhood) - jazz guitar, Nathan Davis (University of Pittsburgh) - jazz improvisation, arranging, and theory, and Arnold J. Stagger, Jr. (Mighty Sparrow bassist) - jazz/funk/Caribbean bass *** Lesson Details *** I work with my students to help them reach the musical goals they want to achieve, whether learning to play songs, read music, develop proper technique, soloing, or some combination of all. I incorporate ear training in all of my teaching, especially for beginner students. I acknowledge what each student does well and focus my lessons on their weaknesses. I am patient and strongly believe that students should enjoy music and that it should not be a chore. As such, I try to work with material that my students like and at a pace that suits them. Although not overly strict or harsh, I nevertheless feel it is critical to make sure students stay on track in order to make progress and achieve their goals. *** Studio Equipment *** Fender Jazz 4 String Bass Guitar, Warwick 5 String Thumb Bass Guitar, Spanish (unnamed) Classical Guitar, Fender Stratocaster Guitar, Traveler Nylon String Guitar, 4/4 early 1900s King Upright Bass, Paul Jones Briefcase Bass Amplifier, Tascam MP-BT1 Bass Trainer, Electro Harmonix Bass Micro Sythesizer, MPC-2000XL, MacBook Pro with Logic, M-Audio 410 FireWire Audio Interface, Yamaha HSM50 Studio Monitors, AKG Condenser Mic. *** Travel Equipment *** Traveler Nylon String Guitar, Fender Jazz 4 String Bass Guitar, Warwick 5 String Thumb Bass Guitar, Spanish (unnamed) Classical Guitar, Fender Stratocaster Guitar, Paul Jones Briefcase Bass Amplifier, Tascam MP-BT1 Bass Trainer, Electro Harmonix Bass Micro Sythesizer, MPC-2000XL, MacBook Pro with Logic, M-Audio 410 FireWire Audio Interface, AKG Condenser Mic. *** Specialties *** Blues, rock, pop, Latin (salsa, merengue, cumbia, etc.), gospel, funk, rhythm and blues (classic and contemporary), jazz, as well as classical guitar repertoire. I am knowledgeable about the Suzuki method and incorporate these concepts into my lessons.