As a gig economy hustler who spent a decade balancing a double life as a professional musician and fintech workhorse, I know how tough it is to fit learning an instrument into a busy life. I can help you establish a learning journey that is long-lasting, personalized, and deeply rewarding. Let's scheme about what you want to get out of this. What thrills you the most to picture yourself doing a year from now? What keeps you motivated? Tell me what you know, and I'll help you figure out the rest. -Practice routines that become daily rituals you look forward to -Artistic influences specific to your taste who will shape and inspire you -Agile learning and "focus-maxxing": Turning your current fixations into progress portals -Sustainable, realistic growth as an artist I specialize in adult learners and serious beginners. Instruments: Drum Set, Snare Drum, Marimba, Piano, Violin Genres: Jazz, Latin jazz, Afro-Cuban, pop, rock, funk, hip-hop, classical, marching/rudimental Skills/Techniques: Sight-reading, Rhythm, Aural Skills, Musical Phrasing, Improvisation, Flow, Ensemble Playing, Professional Etiquette, Rehearsal Etiquette, Stage Presence, Performance Techniques, Movement Techniques, Historical Context

Interested in using the guitar as an outlet to further develop your creative mind? This course is targeted at beginner guitar students, focusing on guitar improvisation. In this course, you will learn the basics of improvising on the guitar, comprehensive guitar material that can be applied to any genre, and learn how to teach yourself.

Jazz piano is more than learning songs — it’s learning a musical language that gives you the freedom to express yourself, create, improvise, and truly understand how music works. In these lessons, students don’t just learn what to play. They learn how music functions, why chords move the way they do, and how to confidently create their own sound at the piano. Whether you are brand new to jazz or looking to deepen your musicianship, these lessons meet you where you are and guide you into a rich, creative, and empowering musical experience. Students learn the foundations of jazz harmony, how to read and interpret lead sheets, and how to build confident improvisation using scales, modes, and melodic ideas. They develop strong left-hand voicing and comping skills, learn to play jazz standards with musicality, and strengthen their ear so they can play without relying on sheet music. Along the way, they explore how jazz connects to gospel, blues, and contemporary styles, gaining tools to reharmonize songs and create their own arrangements. In lessons, students experience a supportive, personalized environment that encourages creativity and confidence at the piano. They begin to feel ownership of the instrument, discovering the joy of musical freedom rather than simply reading notes. With guidance from a professional jazz pianist and educator, they build skills they can use in performances, church, school, or personal playing while developing a deeper understanding of how music truly works

Aaron is a New York City–based trumpet player with 16 years of experience and a strong foundation in both jazz and classical music. He has placed in national and international competitions and participated in selective programs through Carnegie Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and the National Association for Music Education. A graduate of the Eastman School of Music and the Manhattan School of Music, Aaron focuses on helping students build solid fundamentals, develop sustainable practice habits, and express their creativity with confidence. Ouellette will meet students where they’re at and help them achieve their goals as artists and musicians.

This class offers students individualized instruction on guitar, bass guitar, upright/double bass, ukulele, banjo, or mandolin in a supportive, structured learning environment. Each lesson is tailored to the student’s level, interests, and goals—whether they are just beginning their musical journey or preparing for advanced ensembles and auditions. Students will develop strong fundamental skills, including tone production, technique, articulation, and sight-reading. Repertoire is selected to build both confidence and musical expression, with opportunities to explore a wide range of styles. Regular goal-setting and progress checkpoints help students stay motivated and experience steady growth. These lessons aim to build not only musical ability, but also discipline, creativity, and a lifelong appreciation for music. All levels are welcome, and no prior experience is required.

Learning how to conduct or directing a class in music performance for concerts and performances, teaching Saxophone, or being a student teacher to learn more about animation in order to understand it more in my life and for my future career!

As a teacher, I always try to focus on what the student is passionate about, while keeping in mind their weaknesses or aversions. When I was a student, the most profound growth I experienced was when I was fully engaged in the act of music making. I want to guide my students along a path to fall in love with music, whatever form that may come in. I know this will be much more valuable than any technique or song I could ever teach them. While I know this is the goal, I am also aware that this won’t happen with every student. Often this process happens further down the line. In those cases I just want them to get the most they can out of music, and enjoy the process of growing as a musician and a person. It is very important to me to teach music to a diverse community of students. This is how I grew up learning music, and it truly is a way of bringing communities together. It has also been my privilege as a teacher to serve many underprivileged communities (as a part of Oakland Summer music, and Oakland Public Conservatory), as I believe everyone deserves access to quality music education. In my private or group lessons, I like to first gauge the students’ listening habits and any music they are listening to. In my experience with younger students, many of them have yet to start listening to music on their own. I try to provide them a space to just listen to music. This way we can work on their technique through music they already enjoy. I will often have them learn songs by ear while also working on some fundamentals such as scales or tonging. We would also work on whatever weaknesses the student may have in their own public music programs or in their other music making. Often that is reading, ear training, or general lack of knowledge. I am always happy to work on these things in a patient but challenging manner. While improvement is the goal, I know first hand that failure is an important and essential part of the learning process.

🎷 Saxophone Lessons – Jazz, Funk, Improv & More Unlock your sound and build your skills with personalized saxophone lessons from a professional performer and educator. I teach alto, tenor, bari, and soprano saxophone for students of all levels—from complete beginners to gigging musicians. Whether you're looking to improve your tone, learn to solo over changes, read music, or just have fun with the instrument, I’ll tailor the lessons to your goals and experience level. You'll learn: How to develop a rich, consistent tone Proper technique and embouchure Reading music and lead sheets Jazz improvisation and music theory Funk/R&B phrasing, articulation, and groove Practice routines to help you improve faster Lessons are relaxed, engaging, and designed to make you a better player with each session. I draw from real-world performing and recording experience to teach practical, musical skills you can actually use. Available for in-person lessons in San Diego or online via Zoom/Skype. Lesson durations: 30, 45, or 60 minutes. Book your first session today or reach out with any questions!

My name is DJ Johnson. I’m a sophomore at Western Michigan University majoring in Jazz Studies. I’m a highly proficient trombone player looking to teach students of all ages to really develop as musicians. I’m able to teach both classical and jazz repertoire and have extensive experience in preforming in professional and judge based events. I also have a high understanding of music theory for those who want to better understand the music they play as well as their instrument.

I took 13 years lessons from nuns 9 years jazz played professionally 9 years. I have four students who can very successfully play any song with One Note and cords because they now understand the structure of music. My references say I'm am patient and work at anyone's pace with solutions on how do advance in musc understanding and skills. The largest challenge is to their hands to obey them.

Private lessons involve 4 key components: Saxophone Technique, Music Theory, Musicianship, and Music Appreciation. Within Saxophone Technique, we will discuss Posture, Breath Control, Embouchure, Articulation, and Note Fingerings. With Music Theory, we will begin with Notes and Scales moving towards Modes, Chords, and Forms. Discussions on Musicianship will include Tone and Style, Phrasing, and Genres of music for Saxophone. For Music Appreciation, we will discuss the Saxophone as it relates to other instruments and styles of music as well as music as it relates to the world around us. We will develop Sight-Reading skills along with a wide repertoire of Saxophone music. Above all of this, however, learning music and Saxophone should be fun! It's called "playing" for a reason. I offer online lessons via Zoom for a reduced rate. Lessons will be limited to 30 minutes each. We will review Scales, Sight-Reading, and Repertoire, and we will generate a strategy for practice that works best for the individual student.

Jazz music is an art that requires practice and dedication. To be a good jazz trombonist, you must be well-versed in the different styles of jazz, jazz theory, and of course, listening. I have designed this class to cover all of these bases and more for the trombonists out there seeking guidance. This course will cover jazz theory topics such as writing a cohesive chord progression, chord spelling, scale use, and writing melodies. It will also cover sight reading, solo transcription, and learning standards in the different eras of jazz, from Traditional Jazz to Hard Bop to Fusion.

Drum set teaching. I first introduce the hands and feet techniques developing how to read and develop strong techniques so you can master whatever style of music you would like to play .First you learn the Moller technique, a hand technique, a relaxing technique of letting go. You will start to master this technique so your playing becomes smooth , fluid and relaxed.

Group and Private Snare Drum/Drum Set Lessons. I draw upon my decades of professional international performance and recording experience with Grammy Award winning artists, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame groups, NYC Broadway subbing and acclaimed artists in nearly every genre of contemporary music to provide structured drum lessons which will enable any committed student to rapidly improve their drumming skills. LESSON GOALS AND METHODS Lesson Goals develop and improve drum set and snare drum techniques develop and improve drum set coordination and independence improve rhythmic reading skills, sight reading and drum chart reading improve drum chart interpretation skills in various genres and formats explore and develop playing skills in various genres of contemporary music through progressive exercises and examples provide listening and analysis examples of influential drummers and drumming styles improve time awareness and time keeping develop personal drumming creativity Drum Methods in depth study of the practicing of Gary Chester “The New Breed” as taught by Gary Chester selected studies in the Dawson Method (Ted Reed “Syncopation”) studies in Stone/Morello/Gladstone “Free Stroke” studies in Moeller Technique studies in rudimental drumming: Charles Wilcoxon Classical Snare drumming studies: Whaley/Cirone/Peters/Delecluse Rock Drumming styles and performance Jazz Drumming studies and performance Afro-Cuban and Brazilian Drumming styles and performance Funk/Motown/R&B Drumming studies in Gary Chaffee “Time Functioning” Drum-Play-A-Long Studies in various styles I am current member of the Percussive Arts Society international Education Committee. I have been teaching drumming to interested students all of ages and abilities for over thirty years; from beginner drummers, high school, college students and adult beginners to working professional drummers who seek to improve on their skill sets. I am currently an adjunct professor at Drew University, County College of Morris and Passaic County Community.

I have been a professional guitarist, songwriter, and teacher for over 20 years. I am happy to work with students of all ages and I teach most styles of music. I work with each student to create lessons that follow their interests and help them play their best. I have a master's degree in music and I teach at University of the Arts. I teach in person at my home studio and sometimes travel to the student's home. I also teach by Zoom and Skype.

No instrument has been quite as significant in the world of music as the piano. A perfect starting point for those wanting to learn an instrument, the piano is invaluable regardless of where the student is on their musical journey Students of all ages and musical backgrounds will have the freedom to explore their own creative visions and musical interests while receiving a firm foundation in proper technique and repertoire. Schedule your first lesson today!