About
As the 2020 Lessonface.com Teacher of the Year, I enjoy teaching students of all ages, skill levels, and backgrounds. I have specialized in teaching ukulele, classical guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano, banjo, voice, music theory, and songwriting for the past ten years, and celebrate and honor every students unique, individual, learning style and interests, while keeping lessons fun, relaxed, and engaging. I create original and exciting lesson plans that contour to individual learning styles and needs, while providing a creative, compassionate, caring, learning environment and a solid foundation in technique, theory, ear-training, and musical fundamentals. I foster a safe, inclusive, diverse, learning space where learners can feel supported, while respecting the customs, traditions, values, and perspectives of people of different races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, religions, abilities, socioeconomic status, and ages.
As a graduate of the prestigious Berklee College of Music (Cum Laude), and as a guitar principle with a B.A. in Songwriting, I play and teach rock, jazz, blues, classical, pop, folk, bluegrass and other traditional music genres. Besides teaching professionally, as a nationally touring recording artist, singer-songwriter, guitarist, pianist, and multi-instrumentalist, I have performed at venues such as: Salem Arts Festival, RISD, Cornell University, Hampshire College, Colgate University, The Multicultural Theater Space in Kitchener Ontario as well as numerous colleges, festivals, fairs, and coffeehouses around the US.
I apply an empathetic, intuitive, diverse, student-centered learning approach towards every student I work with; creating a highly personalized lesson plan that is energetic, fun, and uniquely tailored towards developing each student’s individual strengths. My in-depth, extensive, professional experience as a music-instructor and performer enables me to successfully build confidence in my students, giving them the ability to achieve success at all levels.
I specialize in singer-songwriters of all levels from beginner to advanced. Focusing on vocal instruction, strengthening and exercises as well as considering an accompanying instrument's rhythmic and melodic contribution creates an effective and harmonious step by step process to songwriting. Additional insight such as lyric writing or theory may also enhance a further understanding to the inner workings of songwriting.
Guitar lessons (acoustic, electric, classical, finger-picking) depending upon genre and style center around learning technique, rhythm, scales and melodic improvisation. Having played both electric and acoustic guitar for over 20 years in styles such as blues, finger-picking blues, slide blues, folk, pop, bluegrass, alternative, rock and classical I'm more than happy to cultivate a program fixated on both rhythm and melodic structure. Whether you're looking to write lead parts, improvise, solo, or hold down a steady rhythm a curriculum based off of a typical lesson book with be accompanied with individualized material.
Vocal lessons (alternative, R & B, blues, folk, and pop) center around a structured warm-up routine to build vocal cord strength, endurance and efficiency. Learning line-by-line phrases from your favorite artists, dissecting runs and riffs enhance the world and knowledge of one of the most versatile instruments, the voice!
Piano lessons follow an active regiment of a standard lesson book and additional material picked by both student and teacher. From Mozart to Birdy to Micheal Nyman the wide world of piano has much to offer!
Banjo lessons also with a book is accompanied by the students interests whether it be old time traditional music and reels, contemporary pieces, or Celtic styles to the likes of banjo players like Bela Fleck, Earl Scruggs, Tony Trishka, Ron Block, and Noam Pikelney, enjoy such a fun instrument!
Ukulele lessons focus on both a book and favorite songs, strumming patterns, finger-picking and melodies. From traditional pieces such as Somewhere Over the Rainbow to contemporary pieces the knowledge of chords and melody structure enhance the versatility of this instrument.
For younger students:
Being a dad and having had many many younger students I relate and work well with children understanding their unique sense of self and also range of attention. I find incorporating games, favorite melodies, and other creative studies along with a lesson book makes for a productive fun experience.
For older students:
This is a great opportunity to work one-on-one brainstorming a goal to enhance the students lesson. Whether it be learning your favorite strumming song and a simple vocal accompaniment around the fire with friends to singing in church or at an event I have worked as a professional musician since 2006 and can offer an individualized lesson program plus some helpful pointers about performance, practice routine, etc.
Berklee College of Music B.A. Songwriting 2008 (Graduated Cum Laude)
2020 Lessonface Teacher of the Year
Varying upon specific student goals and interests typically a standard lesson book is accompanied with additional resources such as learning from your favorite songs or other pieces creating a successful and fun experience.