Piano, Guitar & Vocal Lessons

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. If I were a student of the vast and complex, yet rewarding and fulfilling subject of music (which I, and all musicians, even the best of them, am), I would want to know why music has such a profound effect on the mind. After all, it seems, music has been part of human culture since before the dawn of civilization. It shapes our trends, we attach songs to memories, moods and themes in our own life. One song can mean something completely different to every pair of ears that hears it. It is the universal language, and best of all, it's here for all of us to partake in. We can all make music, all it takes is time and a little will power.
As for the inside secrets, that's only for the students!

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. My work stands out because my music is my life. I feel that it is the duty of any artist to share their knowledge with a pupil. I don't just mean going through a drab guitar method or reading off bullet points about how to sing. I mean to really share secrets and foster mastery over the understanding and practice of not only playing but creating your own music.
I teach compositional skills, performance skills, and piano guitar and vocal methodologies.
As a performer, I realize that performance is it's own seperate skill and it involves everything from elements of acting to subtle psychological techniques.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. What I find to be the most fulfilling about teaching music is the sense of accomplishment that each of my students gets when they play their first song and it sounds like the real thing. To be excellent at an instrument is one thing, but to train another individual to play as well or better than ones self is a truly wonderful feeling. Many life-long musicians are selfish with their little nuances and don't share everything they know with their students. My philosophy is the opposite- Music is a Gift for Everyone!
So my favorite thing about teaching you might say, is sharing.

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. One of the most frequently asked questions is how can I possibly learn to play like the pro's??
Well, I usually say it's a three step process- Listen, Learn, and Practice.
These are all things we do to collect and process information in every day activities. Follow the instructions of a good teacher and practice a few times a week (obviously, the more the better!) and sooner than later, playing music will become as natural as breathing or eating. If one has had trouble learning in the past, it is more than likely that the problem was with the teacher and/or method he or she is using. Different styles of teaching work better for different minds and personality types. Often times a student can be overwhelmed by the dry but necessary basic building blocks of pedagogy and theory. Therefore, it is necessary for the teacher to mix the book knowledge with actual application and employ a more hands-on approach. By mixing methodologies, I have found a way to teach and make learning fun, for all of my students thus far.

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. Music is all about continuing education. One can never truly master such a vast and ever-changing subject. On a daily basis, I sit down and go over the basics, the warm-ups. Then, I will meet with an other musician and we share what we know. Often times I will contact my professors from college to ask them advice on performance, teaching etc. But, most probably the best way to stay up on the latest developments is to go out there and check out what other performers are doing. I regularly attend local venues to see what is going on in the local music scene. At times, I will play open-mic events and speak with or jam with the other musicians of the evening.
Another invaluable resource is calling my previous private instructors. Since they taught me and the community of local teachers is full of wisdom, I will often contact them and ask about different teaching techniques.
The most important thing to know about music is that you never stop being a student. Even the most incredible prodigies have to practice and be a pupil of an elder at one time or another.
I truly enjoy learning from others and, in fact, I learn from my students. Each individual has something to offer and it's keeping in touch with your musical community that keeps one getting better all the time.

Q. If you were advising someone who wanted to get into your profession, what would you suggest?

A. If I were advising a young musician on being a teacher, I would say first and foremost, have patience. Also I would advise one to be confident and remember that your going up against people with a lifetime of experience. The trained musician does not necessarily know how to train musicians. There are many a great instrumentalist who don't have what it takes to teach.
I would say that its best to study the way others teach, and to try to absorb the best techniques. Another way to go about learning the art of teaching is to teach your friends first, to iron out the kinks and see if your character and sensibilities are such that you should even pursue teaching for a living.
Teaching is a skill that has to be nourished with practice..
You can teach anyone that's willing to learn, it just takes time and will.