Private Lessons
I’ve been teaching private lessons in violin, viola, guitar, mandolin, and ukulele for two decades.
I believe that making connections with students as individuals is invaluable. Teaching a diverse group of students has helped me grow personally and musically, and I bring the sum of those experiences to each student I work with.
I believe that a solid technical foundation is necessary for all students, but I recognize that there can be many paths to the same goal. When I was a young musician, my own background in Western classical violin was interwoven and enhanced with folk, bluegrass, and Irish fiddling as well as rock and popular styles. I believe that all forms of musical expression are equally valid, and I collaborate with my students to find a course of study that engages their interests while hopefully opening them up to new possibilities.
I teach privately in Eastern Suffolk County, Western Suffolk County, Queens and Brooklyn.
Workshops
As a clinician, I have presented workshops for both teachers and students on topics including improvisation and fiddling in the classroom.
I believe that music education is a dynamic and ever-changing field, and our greatest resource is the diverse experience of teachers and students. Sharing innovations with one another will ensure that our programs survive and thrive long into the twenty-first century.
I have presented for the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA), Suffolk County Music Educators Association (SCMEA), Long Island String Festival Association (LISFA), Society for Ethics in Education, and the Balanced Mind Conference.
Guest Conducting
I have had the good fortune to serve as a Guest Conductor festival ensembles
for The Suffolk County Music Educator Association (SCMEA), The Hampton Music Educator Association (HMEA), the Patchogue-Medford School District, the Northport School District, and the Three Village School District.