Spirit: Music

Everyone who knows me says I’m a born teacher. My own teachers recognized this early; when my 8th grade math teacher was absent, he left the substitute instructions to teach every class but mine, and I taught my own Alegra class. My guitar teacher hired me to teach for him as soon as I could drive and I’ve been giving private music lessons since 1971.

I began playing piano and electric bass while in college, and later took up the upright bass, the French Horn, the organ, and the trumpet; I now have students on all these instruments.

After earning my doctoral degree as a performing musician, I went on to become a college theory professor. When I realized what I loved most was teaching music one-on-one, and especially to beginners, I retired from college teaching and now make most of my living giving lessons in our living on Hope Street in Ridgewood.

This is the sixth Ridgewood Jamboree for which I have, as a volunteer, written all the band arrangements and served as rehearsal pianist. I play organ, piano, and classical guitar, and also sing from time to time, at Bergen Highlands United Methodist Church in Upper Saddle River. I direct the High Holy Day Choir at Temple Sinai in Dresher, PA, near where I grew up outside of Philadelphia.

It is my honor and privilege to be entrusted with bringing the great gift of music to anyone who is interested.

First lessons here are always completely _free_.

I hope you’ll contact me if you, a member of your family, or a friend is interested in taking up or improving their skill at performing on any of the instruments I play and teach. I offer a discount for multiple weekly lessons within the same family, and many of my students study here with their siblings, parents and grandparents.