I have a Masters in Education as well as having spent many years performing, teaching in one on one and group settings both privately and at music camps and festivals. I play and teach bluegrass, old time, blues, folk, Irish, and swing jazz styles. I like my students to really enjoy playing music and their lessons as well as learning to become fluent in the language of music. It is not required that folks learn to read music necessarily, but it can be a part of the lessons if desired. I love to see my students able to continue learning and playing on their own, be able to hold their own at jams and on the stage is they so desire, or just enjoy making music for themselves. I have techniques that have proven effective to help get past jam phobia, that help folks learn to improvise who have not had any luck with doing so before, and help getting away from sheet music addictions to be able to have fun and confidence out at jams. I also can give a good foundation in music theory as it applies to one's actual playing and have it be fun and make sense. We can also work on songwriting techniques and I can help you learn to write your own songs. I go between the New York area and Virginia (Washington, DC area) and am happy to work with people from anywhere in the world with online lessons and can do in person lessons if we are in the same region. Feel free to reach out to me through the "Ask A Question" feature about times for lessons or any other questions. Looking forward to helping you have lots of fun with music!