come as you are —
One-on-one, just for you.
Every lesson is built around what you want to play, where you are right now, and how you learn best. Bring an instrument and curiosity — I’ll bring the rest.
In person, around the Southern Tier.
Lessons at my home studio in Canaseraga, NY, or I can travel to families in Hornell, Canisteo, Dansville, Wellsville, Alfred, and the small towns in between.
Online, from anywhere on earth.
Zoom lessons for students outside the area. We’ll work out audio and camera setup ahead of time so you sound your best — the first lesson includes a quick tech check.
Thirty or sixty minutes — your call.
Younger or newer students usually start with 30-minute lessons. Most teens, adults, audition-bound students, and seniors do best with 60.
what I teach
Strings are home base — but winds and brass are welcome too.
Strings — my favorites
Violin, viola, cello, and bass. I’ve performed and taught strings my whole career, and you can usually catch me with the Genesee Symphony or Southern Tier Symphony when I’m not in the studio. Beginners welcome; school orchestra students wanting to level up, even more welcome; fiddle styles and folk repertoire, especially welcome.
Woodwinds & brass
Flute, clarinet, saxophone, oboe, trumpet, trombone, horn, baritone — the whole band-room family. Five years directing competitive marching band and drumline gave me a deep love for tone production, breath support, and the kind of patient embouchure work that turns “squeaky” into “singing.”
Theory & audition prep
Music theory in plain English, sight reading, rhythm work, and prep for NYSSMA, All-County, and college auditions. I’ve taught Music Theory I & II at the college-credit level in partnership with Corning Community College.
who lessons are for
Younger, older, brand new, or coming back — you’re welcome here.
ages ~6 to 12
Young beginners.
Posture, tone, and a love of practice come first. We’ll move at a pace that keeps the spark alive.
middle & high school
School players.
Reinforce what’s happening in your school’s ensemble, conquer your NYSSMA piece, or just play things you actually love.
adults
Adult restarts & first-timers.
Some of my favorite lessons of the week. No judgement, no “you should already know this” energy — just gentle, real progress.
seniors & retirees
It’s never too late.
Picking up an instrument at sixty-five or eighty-five is one of the kindest things you can do for yourself. Patient, paced lessons — in person, at home, or online.
how to begin
Two small steps.
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i.
Say hello.
Send a quick note with your age (or your child’s), the instrument you have in mind, and what you’re hoping to learn. I’ll reply within a day or two with availability, rates, and what a first lesson might look like.
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ii.
Start playing.
We set a regular weekly slot and dig in. Most students see real progress by the second month.
on the question of rates
Fair, flexible, & clearly explained.
Rates depend on lesson length, location (in person vs online), and how often we meet. I’ll share a simple price sheet during our first conversation — no surprises, no long-term contracts.
Sibling discounts are available, and a limited number of reduced-rate slots are reserved each season for families who’d like lessons but the budget’s tight — just ask, kindly.
Ask about a lesson