About Me:
I studied for over 15 years with Robert Koff founding member of the Julliard String Quartet. During this training we focused on building a strong foundation of basic technique which can be applied to many diverse styles and approaches. I have continued to teach these crucial fundamentals as a primary teaching method. I believe that the basic fundamentals allow a student to approach anything from complex written music to improvisation equally.

I also like to focus on ear training to allow recognition of the essence which runs through many styles of music. This creates a solid understanding of how all music is related. I think it is important to show the simplistic nature of a variety of styles of music. This creates a less intimidating process.

Styles:
Rock, Blues, Jazz, Fusion, Funk, Folk, Classical, Gospel, Pop, R&B, Klezmer, Indian

Subjects:
Harmony, Theory, Ear Training, Songwriting, Arranging, Jazz Music History, Classical Music History

Ages:
Elementary School, Pre-teen, Teenage, Adult

Availability:
Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Midtown, Chelsea, Lower East side, West Village, East Village, Wall Street, Tribeca (all NYC areas)

Major Influences:
I have been influenced by the following Classical composers:
Bach, Beethoven, Mahler, Schoenberg, Babbit, Elliot Carter

I have been influenced by the following Jazz composers and musicians:
Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, Joe Maneri

I have been influenced by the following styles of music:
Baroque, Modern Classical, Avant-Garde Jazz, South Indian Classical, West African, Greek Folk Music

Experience:

• Co-Director of the New England Conservatory of Music Summer Camp [1991 - 1993]
• Private Teaching & Specialist workshops [1986 - Present]
• Various international Jazz Festivals including Montreal Jazz Festival, Berlin Jazz Festival, La Villett (Paris Jazz Festival), Performance at Library of Congress with Cecil Taylor, Kennedy Center among many others [1990 - Present]
• Featured on over 100 recordings as side man [1993 - Present]
• Recorded and released over 20 albums as a leader or co-leader (original compositions) [1993 - Present]
• Featured on record labels ECM, HatHut, Winter & Winter, Thirsty Ear, Leo Records, Aumfidelity [1993 - Present]

Studied With:

• Robert Koff (Founding member of Julliard String Quartet) [1981 - 1997]

Recent Performances:

• Barbes Brooklyn [October, 2008]
• Saalfelden Jazz Festival (Austria) [August, 2008]
• Week at the Village Vanguard with Paul Motian [July, 2008]

Discography:

• Mat Maneri - "Pentagon" [2005]

Scholarships:

• Walnut Hill school, Principle violinist [1995 - 1997]