About
I've been a professional musician touring internationally, recording and releasing music for 20 years, and have a lot of musical experience to share. I am on the faculty at Brooklyn Music School, teaching piano, bass, beginning guitar and voice lessons. I attended music school at New York University and have played in rock bands, soul and funk, dance bands, jazz bands, and orchestras. In non-pandemic times I am the touring vocalist and bass player for daytime disco band Poolside. I was the longtime bass player, singer, keyboardist, and songwriter for the group The Rapture, releasing two major-label albums and touring across 4 continents. I've worked closely with top producers like Timbaland, Paul Epworth, Danger Mouse and James Murphy. I currently perform as the lead singer and bass player of Poolside, in addition to other projects.
I love being able to share my broad range of experience with students young and old. For me, all music is really about taste and feel. The bass guitar is the soul of the band, shaping the rhythmic pulse. The keyboard defines both the harmonic and emotional boundaries of the song. Communicating that to a student is more important than writing down a bunch of technical exercises (though that is important as well). What I try to teach is to listen with the ears of and feel with the heart of a musician.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
We start with a conversation. What are your goals? What is your history with your instrument and music generally? Once I know what you want to do we come up with a plan targeted toward your specific goals.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I studied at NYU in the Jazz Performance program and also Berklee School of Music.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
my prices vary depending on whether the student is traveling to me or vice versa. If the student is traveling to me, the rate is $70 for an hour lesson, $60 for a 45 minute lesson and $50 for a 30 minute lesson.
If I am traveling to the student my rates are $85 for an hour lesson, $75 for a 45 minute lesson and $60 for a 30 minute lesson.
How did you get started teaching?
I started off teaching friends and colleagues and from their expanded outward, mostly on word of mouth recommendation. I also substitute at a local music school.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have taught students of all ages from age 5 to 65.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Ask lots of questions and make sure that the student gets along with the teacher. So much of the success of this is about the personal relationship.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Simple: How do you see music fitting into your life? What do you want to do? What musicians do you admire most?