About
My name is Jesse Kessler, I’m the owner of NJ Music and I’ve been providing musical services to music community since 1991. I’m a second generation classically trained musician with over 10,000 hours of experience on voice, guitar, piano, bass, drums/percussion, strings, brass and music theory and I have over 30 years of full time teaching and performance experience. I’ve had many musical jobs in addition to performing over 1000 professional gigs over the last 30 years – I’ve taught for several music schools, one of which was a very large multi-state school where I was recognized as being one of the top few teachers out of their faculty of over 100. I’ve also managed a music school, owned a recording studio, managed a music store, worked as an instrument repair tech, served as a head sound tech for concerts and plays, I even have experience as a broadcast DJ.
Over the years I have developed my own specialized curriculum that focuses on physical, mental and applied skill sets as the core of my teaching approach as this is the most effective way to achieve the wide range of skills required for musical success. I've also developed a unique curriculum designed specifically for kids that yields great results with less practice required than conventional curricula. As the parent of a growing musician myself, I know the value of this aspect!
I focus on important academic skills such as reading music notation, knowledge of musical vocabulary, development and application of proper practice skills and more. I also specialize in performance, audition and exam preparation (i.e. ABRSM and Trinity) which covers everything from preparation basics, to exam and audition simulations which helps to provide the absolute best preparation experience possible.
I can start from the beginning and I’ll explain every aspect in detail as well as provide easy-to-follow diagrams to use for practice and I always provide a written practice sheet after each lesson that recaps what we covered so you'll know exactly what and how (even how much) to practice!
My greatest enjoyment comes from helping others attain there musical goals by gaining a combination of physical, mental and applied skills that helps assure success for musicians on any instrument or voice, regardless of age, level or style/genre. My love of helping others is also the main reason why I have taught over 10,000 private lessons over the last 30 years and I continue to enjoy it more with each passing day!
Specialties
Years experience
Able to read music
Lesson length
Student's age
Student has instrument
Interested musical styles
Photos and videos
Reviews
Owen M.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Step 1: I provide a complete assessment of students prior knowledge and skills.
Step 2: I offer a customized curriculum based on each student's individual goals and needs.
Step 3: I provide a fun and easy to understand approach which provides all necessary information as well as the practical application of the information in the curriculum to real musical situations.
I have employed this structured, highly efficient approach for decades and it yields great results for all ages and experience levels.
Private, one on one instruction plays a huge roll in complete and proper musical development.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I’m a college educated, second generation classically trained
musician with over 10,000 hours of experience on voice, guitar,
piano, bass, drums/percussion, strings, brass and music theory and
I have over 30 years of full time teaching and performance
experience. In addition to performing over 1000 professional gigs
over the last 30 years, I’ve taught over 10,000 private lessons both
independently and for several music schools, one of which was a
very large multi-state school where I was recognized as being one
of the top few teachers out of their faculty of over 100.