About
Donald Domenic Guastaferro holds his Doctor of Education (Ed. D.) from Teachers College, Columbia University and his Master of Music (MM) from the SUCNY at Fredonia where he majored in piano/voice and minored in Composition and Administration. He taught voice at Columbia U. and Supervised graduate music students during their school internships at NYU.
He retired in 2009 as the Supervisor of Performing and Visual Arts Education from the CSD of New Rochelle where he helped build a $25 million Arts building to house his over 500 students who majored in the Arts at that time.
He has been teaching piano/voice for over 50 years privately and had a succesful career singing/acting professionaly at Radio City, in Opera, Musical Theater, Film, Regional Theater, Commercials, Soap Operas, etc. here in NY and touring nation-wide.
His lessons are very reasonably priced and he's passionate about helping his students reach their full potential and achieving their goals when they're willing to work hard at doing so.
www.musicforlife777.vpweb.com
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
An intial interview/audition to discuss potential for proceeding with lessons. Get background of student and talk about their goals for studying with me. Once approved we discuss cost, length of lessons we will be utilizing, educationally, to help them achieve their goals. Also, approximately how long it will take to achieve their goals.
For piano, we will begin with sitting properly, hand, wrist, and finger positioning, then proceed to exercises to build flexibility, touch and tone. This will include five finger games and exercises which will lead to full scales (major/minor), chords, easy, fun songs for 4 hands such as Chinese Knuckles and Chop Sticks. They will then be given exercises, and pieces to begin to play suited to their level of proficiency.
For voice we will discuss posture, diaphragmatic breathing, the three parts of how a voice/instrument produces tone then proceed to begin exercises to warm up the voice and place it properly based on my former teacher's book "The Four Voices of Man" by Jerome Hines-leadiing Bass at the Metropolitan opera who had a dozen or so of his students performing there as well. This approach is considered the Bel Canto school of singing, which can be used in modification to sacred and Broadway style singing as well as in jazz, folk and gospel.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Over 50 years of teaching publically and privately; professional career in Opera, Broadway, stage, screen and TV, Radio City, Regional Theater such as the Virginia Stage company, etc.
Doctor of Education in Music Education & Master of Education from TC, Columbia U.
Masters of Music from SUCNY at Fredonia
Member of National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS)
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I charge $30 per 1/2 hr. and $60 per 1 hr for lessons, but basically charge $1/minute so the time & price can vary depending on the number of minutes being taught. The minimum is 1/2 hour.
I also offer a 5% Cashback for a ten lesson package
How did you get started teaching?
I began teaching right out of college beginning in 1968.
What types of students have you worked with?
All kinds of students from beginning level to advanced, from 9 to 59 yrs old and above, both male and female.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
The live concert performance of my opera "The Dream Maker" at my church near Time Square to raise money for our Harvesters Soup Kitchen.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
I would tell them to acquire as much information you can about the teacher, and the teacher's background and experience, and their students, plus meet with the teacher for an interview/audition to see if it is a good match. It appears that Lessons.com is offering this to prospective students and teachers alike.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
What expectations do you have of your students?
What level do you see me at now and what level could I achieve?
How long do you see me having to study to achieve it?
How often and how long should I spend at a lesson?
Are your lesson times flexible?
How and when do you want to be paid?
Will I have opportunities to perform in a public setting or in competitions?