24 Pulaski ST, Bloomfield NJ, 07003
Instruments:Composition, Conducting, Ear Training, Piano, Theory
Styles:Classical, Jazz, Blues, Kids, Other
Levels:Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Experience:6 years
Rate:$60 / hr
Personal Statement
Are you a composer who is looking for more insight into the compositional process? Have you always wondered how the theoretical aspects of music work? Are you a jazz or classical pianist looking to expand your horizons? Are you interested in beginning the substantial and rewarding journey of music?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions above, you may want to consider my services as a private teacher.As a teacher, I believe in well-rounded musicianship. I believe that training the ear is as important, or perhaps even more important, than training the technique. Many performances happen today where the performer may play the notes on the page correctly, but isn’t really listening. As a teacher, I would have you analyze the works you are performing or composing, as well as singing inner lines, conducting, etc. I believe that these methods enhance the expression of pieces, and add another dimension to performance and composition.
For composers, I recommend a wide variety of listening to works, and stress getting hold of scores and figuring out what your favorite composers write. A wide variety of listening, as well as careful analysis, will lead to a stronger, mature compositional voice.
As a composer, my works have been performed by the Eastman Jazz Ensemble, the Eastman Studio Orchestra, the Zurich Jazz Orchestra, the Weapons of Jazz Destruction, high school band and jazz ensembles, as well as my own ensembles.
As a pianist, I have worked as an accompanist for several local shows, and have been a musical director for SYFI’s production of Footloose and an assistant musical director for Our Own Production’s production of Sweeney Todd. I have also done some classical accompanying, including collaborating with flutist and YouTube Symphony Orchestra finalist Caryn Freitag, and saxophonist Ryan Salisbury. I have also worked as a jazz pianist in various combos, including The Bob Bennet Quintet, Erica Seguine/Shannon Baker Duo and the Nick Venti Quartet.
I received a BM in Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media- writing (composition) concentration at the Eastman School of Music, graduating with high distinction. While at Eastman I studied jazz composition with Bill Dobbins and jazz piano with Harold Danko. I have taken individual lessons/master classes with Fred Hersch, David Berger, John Clayton, Paul Ferguson, Maria Schneider, and Jeff Beal. I received my MM in Jazz Arranging at William Paterson University studying with Rich DeRosa, Jim McNeely, and Film Scoring with Raymond Torres-Santos.
I have won several awards, including the 2014 ASCAP Jazz Composer, 2013 BMI Charlie Parker/Manny Albam Commission, 1st place in the 2009 Zurich Jazz Orchestra Composer Competition, Honorable Mention in the 2009 ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Awards, and was selected for the 2004 Young Composers Honors Concert held at the NYSSMA Winter Conference.
Education / Training
I received a BM in Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media- writing (composition) concentration at the Eastman School of Music, graduating with high distinction. While at Eastman I studied jazz composition with Bill Dobbins and jazz piano with Harold Danko. I have taken individual lessons/master classes with Fred Hersch, David Berger, John Clayton, Paul Ferguson, Maria Schneider, and Jeff Beal. I received my MM in Jazz Arranging at William Paterson University studying with Rich DeRosa, Jim McNeely, and Film Scoring with Raymond Torres-Santos.