About
Julie Pacheco is a Broadway musician with over 20 years of teaching experience. She is currently in the orchestra for West Side Story on Broadway. Julie enjoys working with students of all abilities and specializes in teaching practice techniques that help her students progress quickly. Julie's lessons are dynamic, methodical and uniquely tailored to each student.
Julie has been teaching privately for over 20 years and also teaches woodwinds at Fairleigh Dickinson University. She has taught hundreds of students and help helped many students win auditions for regional and state performing groups.
Julie holds a Master’s degree in Performance from New Jersey City University and a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Ithaca College.
I enjoy getting to work with many different kinds of students. Young children are fun to work with because they are often very excited to learn a new instrument. I love their enthusiasm, as well as seeing them develop many skills that will help them in all areas of their lives.
For advancing students, I love getting to work on more nuanced musicality. It's rewarding to advance past learning the notes and rhythms and focus on more sophisticated musical expression.
Adult students often have specific goals for lessons, and are excited to be doing something they've wanted to do for years. It's very satisfying to help them achieve their goals, as well as focus on music for pure enjoyment.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
If the student is a complete beginner, then the first lesson is all about introducing them to their instrument. It's important to start with good habits, so I focus on posture and music theory in the first lessons. Usually students are playing simple songs by the end of the first lesson, and start reading music within the first couple months.
For students who already have some experience, I use the first lesson to take stock of what level they are at. I have them play a song or piece that they have played recently, and then work with them on that piece a bit to test their skills and see what areas of music theory they are familiar with. From there, I figure out what method of study would work best with their skill set and goals.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Bachelor of Music in Music Education - Ithaca College (2007)
Masters of Music in Music Performance - New Jersey City University (2013)
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
35 minutes: $38
45 minutes: $56
60 minutes: $75
How did you get started teaching?
I started teaching when I was in high school. I taught piano, violin and clarinet to some kids in the neighborhood. I loved passing on what I knew to younger musicians and found that I learned a lot just by having to explain things in new ways to each student.
What types of students have you worked with?
All kinds! I've worked with students as young as 4 years old, up to students in their 70s. Some of my students play purely for fun, while others are preparing for auditions to qualify for select playing ensembles. Some of my students love playing classical music, and other want to play more pop and musical theater.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
There are so many different teachers with varying backgrounds that it's really important to find one who is a good fit for the student. I always recommend doing a trial lesson first to see if the teacher-student fit is a good one.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
What do you want to accomplish with lessons? (Have fun, play a specific song, improve your discipline or attention span, write your own music, etc...)
How much time each week do you have to practice?
What kind of music are you interested in playing?
What times are you available for lessons?