Piano Teacher

Influences: Bill Evans, Thelonious Monk, Kenny Kirkland, Bruce Hornsby, Elton John, Dr. John, Memphis Slim, Wynton Kelly, Duke Ellington, Count Basie

About Me:
I take pride in being able to teach a wide variety of students and styles. Beginners both young and old are welcome. I teach the classical approach to piano through proper warm-up technique, posture, exercises and sight reading. I am also a specialist in teaching jazz and popular styles. Regardless of the style or level of the student, I incorporate lessons in music theory and sight reading (rhythmic and pitch-based) into the curriculum of each student. These elements help one not only to become a better pianist but also to develop into a more well-rounded musician. While each student is different and will take a slightly different approach, I do believe that there are certain core practices which benefit anyone who wants to learn to play the piano. Lastly, making music is fun! I am enthusiastic about music and hope to impart my love of music to all of my students.

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

Experience:

• Piano instructor for MusicArts Group, Columbus, OH [2004 - 2005]
• Private piano instructor (upon studio closing) in Columbus, OH (2005-2006) and New York City (2007-present) [2004 - Present]
• Choral director at The Frisch School (high school) in Paramus, NJ [2007 - Present]
• Camp Counselor at Camp Ramah, Utterson, ON (2001-2003) and JCC Camps of Columbus, OH (2005-2006), including 2 summers as music specialist [2001 - 2006]
• Freelance pianist / accompanist for various bands, songwriters and performers throughout New York City [2007 - Present]
• New York-based recording artist (Serious Business Studios, The Bunker Studio) [2008 - Present]

Education:

• Bachelor of Arts in Jewish Studies (BA), The Ohio State University [2006]
• Bachelor of Music in Composition (BM), The Ohio State University [2006]

Studied With:

• Donald Harris [2005 - 2006]
• Marc Ainger [2003 - 2006]
• Pat Pace [1990 - 2001]

Awards:

• Young Composers Award - Guild of Temple Musicians [2007]
• Ruth Friscoe Prize for Jazz Composition - The Ohio State University [2006]

Recent Performances:

• The Ramblers (country-rock band) at NYC's The Living Room [July, 2009]
• Halpern Memorial Concert feat. Cantor Alberto Mizrahi (Rochester, NY) - music director [May, 2009]
• Masorti Olami benefit concert (Park Ave. Synagogue, NYC) - music director [November, 2008]

Discography:

• Scott Stein - "Jukebox" [2009]
• Scott Stein - "Two Lane Heartache Waltz" [2006]

Scholarships:

• Busch Memorial Piano Scholarship [2001 - 2005]
• OSU Presidential Scholarship [2001 - 2005]