FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Money is not my primary focus here- spreading the Joy of Music IS! Since the Wall Street crash of 2008 I have lowered my fee considerably- I understand how difficult times are, and because lessons, though important, become a 'luxury' when tightening one's budget- That would be a shame to miss out on music, which is so important to the 'whole' person- So at this time my fee of $30 a half hour lesson is LOWER than the cost of a generic lesson from a music store, which costs $40 a half hour THAT YOU MUST PAY A WHOLE SEMESTER OUT FRONT! We pay as we go; and if there is a conflict or if the student is sick I will accommodate them! Whereas at music stores and 'Schools' of music you would be out that money, with only ONE makeup offered per semester- also, many of those teachers are kids who just teach as a daytime job until their ' big break' comes through/ well if you read at My website You'll understand that I ALREADY have performed around the world, ALREADY have songs collecting royalties from 35 nations around the globe - I teach because I love MUSIC and I am lucky to have the opportunity to share this with my students
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
To start with, our first lesson/meeting is FREE! How else can someone find out if I am a good match for them? I think every teacher should do this, without any further obligation beyond that first get together - a private teacher/pupil relationship should feel comfortable and inspiring. Not to say we won't work hard at it, but we will certainly have fun with any task--and our program plan can be variable - you can chose a different song if you don't like the one I offer!
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I was fortunate enough to find a private piano teacher when I was a young teen, Mr. Robert Montgomery, who changed my life! He demonstrated the Joy of Music to me-- I learned great classical music by the Masters, but also, Mr.Montgomery encouraged my fledgling attempts at songwriting-- and he managed to explain to me the mathematical underpinnings of music in a clear, enjoyable manner- I base my own style of teaching on the magical way he taught me- I had had well meaning, but terrible teachers before him - but Mr. Montgomery showed me how ONE good teacher can change someone's life! THAT is the teacher I strive to be today, for all my students. I also studied Harmony, Counterpoint, Composition, and Classical Guitar at The New England Conservatory of Music- I have work-shopped with a professor, a friend of Mr Moog who invented the Moog Synthesizer- The classes, at Crouse School of Music, part of Syracuse University, were detailed and we worked with a Synthesizer the height of the classroom wall!, constructed by Mr. Moog, himself! Although the instrument has many more presets and is much smaller today, the Moog is still well respected and used in a variety of recordings today, everyone from Beatle Paul McCartney, to rappers like Eminem. But although class room experiences are important, it is my life skills that I learned on the road and in so many bands that I bring to my teaching- and I've been teaching quite a while, and as a father myself I understand how to teach the whole child - to be empathetic and encouraging.