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Meet Our Teachers
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Jadakorn "Jay" Thawornpradit
Jadakorn "Jay" Thawornpradit
Jadakorn "Jay" Thawornpradit
Advanced Piano, Intermediate Guitar/Ukulele, Early Childhood & Music Theory - LI
Raised in Thailand, Jadakorn "Jay" Thawornpradit began his classical training in piano at the age of 5, by age 9 his love for piano flourished as he began to perform in recitals. He is musically certified by Trinity Guildhall through Trinity College in
Advanced Piano, Intermediate Guitar/Ukulele, Early Childhood & Music Theory - LI
Raised in Thailand, Jadakorn "Jay" Thawornpradit began his classical training in piano at the age of 5, by age 9 his love for piano flourished as he began to perform in recitals. He is musically certified by Trinity Guildhall through Trinity College in London with a level 6 certification in Piano performance. Jay graduated Five Towns College on Long Island in 2013 with a Bachelor degree of Music Education. He has worked as a student teacher, taught general music, conducted choirs and various ensembles in May Moore Primary, JFK intermediate, and Robert Frost Middle School. Jay has studied piano under Vincent Loccisano of New York University, one of Kenny Werner's students and protoge'. He has also studied Master courses in Jazz arts under Greg Bobulinski, who has tremendous experiences working with world class groups of musicians, such as Clark Terry's Big Band and Red Garland's Quintet. Jay has performed in many settings such as big bands, choirs, jazz groups, weddings, accompaniments, and solo performances.
Jay is highly experienced in preparing students for NYSSMA, as well as teaching Guitar, Ukulele, Bass and Music Theory. He promotes and encourages students' individualism through his music teaching. His methods aim to invite students to know and love their instruments while learning how to play their instruments with efficiency. He has worked with students of all ages and aspires to preserve the art of jazz while exploring new musical frontiers.
Andrew Krahm
Jadakorn "Jay" Thawornpradit
Jadakorn "Jay" Thawornpradit
Advanced Violin & Saxophone - LI
Andrew Krahm graduated from LIU Post, with a Bachelors of Music in Music Education with a concentration in Violin studies, and a secondary focus on classical and jazz saxophone playing. He returned to his alma mater for his graduate studies with a Masters of Performance in Conducting, which was conf
Advanced Violin & Saxophone - LI
Andrew Krahm graduated from LIU Post, with a Bachelors of Music in Music Education with a concentration in Violin studies, and a secondary focus on classical and jazz saxophone playing. He returned to his alma mater for his graduate studies with a Masters of Performance in Conducting, which was conferred in Spring of 2019. During his tenure at LIU, Krahm served as the Academic Assistant of the Orchestra and String areas under the supervision of Professor Maureen Hynes. He currently holds the position of Orchestra Director, Musical Producer and Tri-M Moderator at Lawrence High School. In addition to this, Andrew served as the Division 5 Co-Chairperson for NMEA (Nassau Music Educators Association) All-County Ensemble for the past three festival seasons.
Krahm is a seasoned performing musician, having performed on three continents. One of these took him to Australia where he was a soloist at venues like the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Maritime Museum. He has participated in the Montreux Jazz Festival (2016) as well as the Heineken Jazzaldia in San Sebastian and What is Music in Frias (2019) as an instrumentalist and vocalist. As a soloist, Krahm has already performed repertoire for a junior, senior recital and master’s recital. The final featured him performing on several instruments in various chamber ensemble settings. Krahm is an avid educator and has developed an extensive private studio around Long Island. He has also worked at various successful institutions and districts; Saint Mary’s High School in Manhasset in various capacities and as a public-school band and orchestra director within the Freeport and Planview Old-Bethpage school systems respectively. Outside of his classroom and studio experiences, he served on the Executive Board of Long Island String Festival Association (LISFA) as a Chairperson.
During his time at LIU, Andrew was coached by The Shanghai String Quartet, Sybarite-5 Wynton Marsalis and other members of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Darmon Meader and members of the New York Voices, members of Kronos String Quartet, and many other artists of note. Krahm studied in the violin studio of Dr. Dale Stuckenbruck, saxophone studios of Dr. Tim Ruedeman, T.K Blue and Jeff Lederer. He also studied the art of conducting from Dr. James McRoy and his former supervisor Professor Maureen Hynes.
In his spare time, Krahm is an active member of the Rockville Centre Fire Department and is currently the Captain of his engine company; Defender Hose Company Number One. He has been an active instructor in Chinese Gojo for several years as a third-degree black belt and has been a student of the style for over two decades. He enjoys spending time with his loved ones and family, biking and performing various physical fitness activities. All of these are things that are brought into the classroom to make a fully enriched and well-rounded educational approach.
Dian Torres
Jadakorn "Jay" Thawornpradit
Nicola Caminiti
Advanced Piano & Early Childhood - Virtual Lessons
Dian Torres is an advanced piano and voice teacher to students of all ages and musical backgrounds. She began her career in music education in 2012 during her junior year in Fivetowns College while perusing her bachelors degree in music education, which she obtained in 2013. Through teac
Advanced Piano & Early Childhood - Virtual Lessons
Dian Torres is an advanced piano and voice teacher to students of all ages and musical backgrounds. She began her career in music education in 2012 during her junior year in Fivetowns College while perusing her bachelors degree in music education, which she obtained in 2013. Through teaching privately and her experience during student teaching, she has built a philosophy that everyone has the ability to learn and that music can be used as a tool to learn about ones self, as well as others.Dian offers a unique perspective into the learning process for late beginners as she herself was a late beginner, only starting to play the piano at age 14. This has allowed her to work with students of ages ranging from 4 to 84.
Dian has been playing piano and singing for 14 years. She is predominantly trained as a classical pianist and vocalist but also enjoys playing and singing in both styles of pop and musical theater. Through out her journey she has performed multiple piano and vocal recitals and has worked with various vocal groups such as select choirs and barbershops.She has also conducted vocal groups during her student teaching time in West Islip school district and often accompanies vocalists. Dian is a life long learner and continues to seek professional growth and hopes to instill a passion for learning in all of her students.
Nicola Caminiti
Nicola Caminiti
Nicola Caminiti
Advanced Saxophone, Intermediate Clarinet, Flute & Beginner Piano
Theory, Ear Training & Jazz Ensemble - NYC & Virtual
Nicola Caminiti is an Italian saxophonist, pianist and woodwind doubler based in New York City. He started studying piano at the age of five but soon he moved to his first musical love, the saxophone. Since then he h
Advanced Saxophone, Intermediate Clarinet, Flute & Beginner Piano
Theory, Ear Training & Jazz Ensemble - NYC & Virtual
Nicola Caminiti is an Italian saxophonist, pianist and woodwind doubler based in New York City. He started studying piano at the age of five but soon he moved to his first musical love, the saxophone. Since then he has earned a Masterʼs Degree in Classical Saxophone from the Conservatorio “Arcangelo Corelli” in Messina, his city of birth, and a Bachelorʼs Degree in Jazz Saxophone Performance from the Manhattan School of Music in New York attended thanks to the prestigious International Advisory Board Scholarship.
He also had the opportunity to play in world renowned jazz festivals and clubs including Umbria Jazz Festival and Vicenza Jazz Festival in Italy, Langnau Jazz Festival in Switzerland, Birdland, Dizzyʼs Club Coca-Cola, Jazz Gallery, Bar Next Door, Rockwood Music Hall, Harlem Stage and many more. He has also shared the stage and recorded with artists such as Billy Childs, Stefon Harris, Ingrid Jensen, Joe Lovano, Pedrito Martinez, Arturo OʼFarrill, Johnny OʼNeal, Logan Richardson, Bobby Sanabria and his grammy nominated Multiverse Big Band, Evan Sherman and others.
In addition to specializing in saxophone, he kept nurturing his passion for the piano and, since he moved to New York he started studying and playing Flute, Alto Flute and Clarinet as well.
He also gained experience teaching privately and coaching jazz ensembles at the Open Jazz School in Palermo, Italy. Moreover, he held the saxophone chair at the Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School for the Academic Year 2018-2019 teaching a group of six students between 4th and 7th grade covering subjects such as instrument technique and repertoire to music theory, basic improvisation and composition.
Karla Aristy
Nicola Caminiti
Karla Aristy
Advanced Saxophone, Intermediate Woodwinds, Beginner Piano & Early Childhood - LI
Karla Aristy is a graduate of the Aaron Copland School of Music in CUNY Queens College, having received her Masters of Music in Classical Saxophone Performance. She graduated Cum Laude from New York University, with a Bachelors of Music in Music Educat
Advanced Saxophone, Intermediate Woodwinds, Beginner Piano & Early Childhood - LI
Karla Aristy is a graduate of the Aaron Copland School of Music in CUNY Queens College, having received her Masters of Music in Classical Saxophone Performance. She graduated Cum Laude from New York University, with a Bachelors of Music in Music Education. Karla has studied classical saxophone with Dr. Paul Cohen, and Dr. Timothy Ruedeman. Having played the saxophone for the past 20 years, Karla has received opportunities to perform in opera companies like the New Amsterdam Opera Company (2019), youth orchestras in Long Island, orchestras in Long Island such as SUNY Stony Brook Symphonic Orchestra, and the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra (MYO).
During her time in ACSM, Karla has performed in the QC Saxophone Ensemble, the QC Wind Ensemble, and both QC Saxophone Quartets. During her four years in NYU, Karla has found several chamber ensemble opportunities, including the NYU Saxophone Quartet, and was a member of the NYU Concert Band and NYU Music Ed Jazz Ensemble. In Spring 2011, Karla studied abroad in Florence, Italy, where she had the privilege of studying under Alda Dalle Lucche and working with the Fiesole conservatory students; providing many wonderful musical and cultural experiences.
Currently she performs as freelance, along with continuing her time with the QC Saxophone Ensemble. Presently, Karla is working in the Westbury UFSD as a music teacher in the Westbury Middle School. She was the Founding Music Teacher in Hamilton Grange Middle School (MS 209) and Music Teacher in The Mott Hall School (IS 223); creating music programs from scratch in both schools. Karla began playing the saxophone at the age of 8. She plays beginner level of the flute , clarinet, and piano, and has taken lessons for voice. Along with her passion for her saxophone and music, Karla has a strong desire to help students of all ages to find their own passion through music. Throughout her schooling, Karla has understood the extreme value and importance of music education in a child’s educational, social, and personal life and would love to be a part of that experience.
Leo Li
Nicola Caminiti
Karla Aristy
Beginner--Advanced Cello
NYC
Born in 2000, started studying the cello at age of 7, enrolled by Chinese conservatory attached middle school at age of 12, started studying with professor Jianan Zhao. At age 15, got accepted by the Juilliard pre- college and went to United States to study cello with Sieun Lin. At age 21, enrolled by Manhattan
Beginner--Advanced Cello
NYC
Born in 2000, started studying the cello at age of 7, enrolled by Chinese conservatory attached middle school at age of 12, started studying with professor Jianan Zhao. At age 15, got accepted by the Juilliard pre- college and went to United States to study cello with Sieun Lin. At age 21, enrolled by Manhattan school of music, and studying with Professor Phillipe Muller.
Prizes and Awards:
3rd prize of 2015 aiqinbei cello national competition, Beijing, China.
Karina Aristy
Karina Aristy
Karina Aristy
Advanced Violin, Viola & Cello - LI
Karina has been playing the violin since she was nine years old. She has studied under the direction of Anton Polezhayev, and Dale Stuckenbruck, a protégé of Jascha Heifetz. Throughout the years she excelled within various performing groups and was given the title of Concert Mistress from grade 7
Advanced Violin, Viola & Cello - LI
Karina has been playing the violin since she was nine years old. She has studied under the direction of Anton Polezhayev, and Dale Stuckenbruck, a protégé of Jascha Heifetz. Throughout the years she excelled within various performing groups and was given the title of Concert Mistress from grade 7 through grade 12. Throughout the years, she was a member of the Gemini Youth Symphony Orchestra, and the Usdan Orchestra IV. During her time at Post, she furthered her studies in violin, viola and cello and received her Bachelor’s in Music Education. Karina has been teaching students of all ages for over seven years. She highly believes in the value of a well-rounded education and makes sure that all of her students can read, write and perform music to the best of their ability.
“Without music life would be a mistake.” – F.W. Nietzsche
Mike Deering
Karina Aristy
Karina Aristy
Advanced Percussion, Intermediate Guitar/Ukulele & Beginner Piano - NYC
Mike Deering is a New York based percussionist, with over ten years of experience of performing and teaching. Originally from Long Island, he received a musical education that has inspired him to pursue diverse interests from new and world music to classical, ro
Advanced Percussion, Intermediate Guitar/Ukulele & Beginner Piano - NYC
Mike Deering is a New York based percussionist, with over ten years of experience of performing and teaching. Originally from Long Island, he received a musical education that has inspired him to pursue diverse interests from new and world music to classical, rock and jazz. As a musician and educator, Mike’s goal is to engage people with music to make every experience positive and impactful.
Mike is a graduate of Montclair State University with a Bachelor’s of Music Degree in Music Education. Currently, Mike is continuing his studies at the Aaron Copland School of Music pursuing his Master’s of Music in Percussion Performance. At Queens College, Mike has had the opportunity to study with world-renowned Michael Lipsey, Javier Diaz and Matt Ward.
As a versatile performer, he has played with various ensembles including The Unsemble, Queens College Percussion Ensemble, the ACSM Orchestra, Gamelan Yowana Sari, and the Harry Partch Ensemble. As an educator, Mike has taught privately for over five years with students of all ages and experience levels. He places an emphasis on sound technique and exposure to the many possibilities that percussion offers. This gives his students the ability to find their interests and have the skills to follow them. Mike has also worked with various ensembles including Ridgewood Marching Band, Rahway Percussion Ensemble, and Mantra Youth Percussion whose work has been described by the New York times as “ear-opening.”
When Mike is not performing, practicing, or attending concerts around the city, you can find him watching soccer, exploring new sounds, or spending time with his friends and family.
Sean Hsi
Karina Aristy
Adriana Zastawny
Advanced Violin - Virtual
Born in Taipei, Taiwan, Sean started playing the violin from the young age of five in a local music classroom. Growing up, Sean participated in many national music competitions, and often as prize winners. Sean moved to New York City at the age of thirteen to pursue a career as a violinist. Sean is currently
Advanced Violin - Virtual
Born in Taipei, Taiwan, Sean started playing the violin from the young age of five in a local music classroom. Growing up, Sean participated in many national music competitions, and often as prize winners. Sean moved to New York City at the age of thirteen to pursue a career as a violinist. Sean is currently finishing his B.M at The Juilliard School. Sean participated and advanced as semi-finalists in The Wieniawski international violin competition for young violinists and The Tchaikovsky Violin Competition for Young Musicians. Sean teaches violin and speaks both English and Mandarin.
Adriana Zastawny
Adriana Zastawny
Adriana Zastawny
Advanced Flute, Beginner Clarinet & Piano - LI, Queens & Virtual
Adriana Zastawny has been playing the flute since she was nine years old. Throughout her music education she has attended the Manhattan School of Music Pre-College with a focus on instrumental performance study. She was selected for the NYSSMA all-county, all-state, as
Advanced Flute, Beginner Clarinet & Piano - LI, Queens & Virtual
Adriana Zastawny has been playing the flute since she was nine years old. Throughout her music education she has attended the Manhattan School of Music Pre-College with a focus on instrumental performance study. She was selected for the NYSSMA all-county, all-state, as well as all-eastern bands and orchestras. Adriana graduated from New York University where she obtained her bachelor in flute performance as well as a master in music education. She has been a part of on and off broadway musicals, various chamber music ensembles as well as orchestras throughout her performing career during the last couple of years.
Even though performance has always been a big factor in Adriana’s life, music education is her passion. She has been teaching in the NYC DOE for the last six years. Her teaching experience includes general music using the Orff-Schulwerk and Kodaly methods in elementary level grades as well as piano instruction utilizing Music and the Brain. Her most recent position is at the Russell Sage Junior High School providing instrumental instruction as a band director. Adriana has also been a private instructor throughout the last ten years. Her students have ranged from elementary to high school grade levels and many have performed in allcounty and all-state festivals. She teaches beginner to advance flute, beginner piano, and beginner to intermediate clarinet. As a performed and an educator herself, Adriana understands the need to provide comprehensive instruction to the students with the focus on their individuals needs. Her lessons not only place value on the students’ ability to read, write, and perform music, but also the capability of connecting to the history and culture of the created music.
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Caitlin Cawley
Adriana Zastawny
Caitlin Cawley
Advanced Percussion, Composition, Improvisation & Music Theory - NYC
Caitlin Cawley is a percussionist, improviser, composer and educator based in Brooklyn, NY. She plays and teaches music because she believes that music affirms the interconnectedness and dignity of all people, and is a powerful tool for building empathy in a world
Advanced Percussion, Composition, Improvisation & Music Theory - NYC
Caitlin Cawley is a percussionist, improviser, composer and educator based in Brooklyn, NY. She plays and teaches music because she believes that music affirms the interconnectedness and dignity of all people, and is a powerful tool for building empathy in a world that sorely needs it. She uses her experience as both a classically-trained percussionist and as an experimental performer to share her dedication and curiosity with her students.
Caitlin works as a freelance percussionist with groups like Talujon and Heartbeat Opera, and has appeared on the MATA Festival and the Resonant Bodies Festival at Roulette Intermedium. She teaches and facilitates workshops with Bash The Trash Environmental Arts, Midori and Friends, and is on faculty at The Spence School. She graduated from Boston University with her Bachelors in Music in 2016, and from the Manhattan School of Music with a Masters in Contemporary Performance in 2018.
Sam Golembeski
Adriana Zastawny
Caitlin Cawley
Advanced Guitar and Electric Bass, Intermediate Theory, Beginner Piano - LI and Queens
As a musician since the age of 8, Sam's wealth of industry, performance, and songwriting experience is well-suited for nearly any student. Based out of Long Island, Sam has had a great deal of time spent performing a wide range of music styles. F
Advanced Guitar and Electric Bass, Intermediate Theory, Beginner Piano - LI and Queens
As a musician since the age of 8, Sam's wealth of industry, performance, and songwriting experience is well-suited for nearly any student. Based out of Long Island, Sam has had a great deal of time spent performing a wide range of music styles. From Extreme Metal to Jazz and everything in between, Sam has taught and played it all. Sam was twice selected to perform at the National Academy of Music Merchants convention in Anaheim, CA where he was able to brush shoulders with some of the greatest musicians of our time such as Kerry King and Joe Perry. Sam has been teaching private guitar lessons since 17 for any and all skill levels, with enough dedication anybody can overcome their musical challenges.
Daniel Maguire
Angelica DePrimo
Angelica DePrimo
Advanced Guitar, Beginner Piano & Strings - Virtual
Daniel Maguire is a composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist based in Philadelphia. He received his M.M. in Composition from the Mannes College of Music, and his B.S. from Hofstra University, where he was awarded the Rhoda Pinsley Levin Endowed Award for Excellence in Musical P
Advanced Guitar, Beginner Piano & Strings - Virtual
Daniel Maguire is a composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist based in Philadelphia. He received his M.M. in Composition from the Mannes College of Music, and his B.S. from Hofstra University, where he was awarded the Rhoda Pinsley Levin Endowed Award for Excellence in Musical Performance.
Daniel has been studying guitar since age 14 and has performed in a number of jazz, rock, and classical ensembles. He is also a percussionist and singer, and has performed with numerous ensembles throughout the northeast.
Since 2014, Daniel has been teaching private lessons tailored to a variety of skill levels, from the first steps through high level NYSSMA preparation. He believes that with persistence and diligence, anyone can become a better musician.
Angelica DePrimo
Angelica DePrimo
Angelica DePrimo
Advanced Trombone, Intermediate Euphonium and Baritone Horn, Beginning Piano and Childhood - LI and Virtual
Angelica is a graduate of Long Island University Post Campus and holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education with emphasis in Trombone Studies. In addition, she has a strong background in Euphonium and Baritone Horn. Angeli
Advanced Trombone, Intermediate Euphonium and Baritone Horn, Beginning Piano and Childhood - LI and Virtual
Angelica is a graduate of Long Island University Post Campus and holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education with emphasis in Trombone Studies. In addition, she has a strong background in Euphonium and Baritone Horn. Angelica has been a Private Music Instructor for ten years and loves working with students of all ages, bonding over the beauty and natural creativity the subject brings. Angelica has experience in preparing her Learners for NYSSMA and college auditions. When she is not teaching, Angelica has been playing the Trombone for The Shore Symphony Orchestra for the past four years.
Lenna Pierce
Angelica DePrimo
Lenna Pierce
Advanced Cello, Intermediate Piano, Viola & Violin
Lenna Pierce has one foot in the world of classical music and one foot in the world of songwriting. As Singer-Songwriter Meaner Pencil she has been profiled in The Village Voice, interviewed on WFMU and has toured internationally including Paris, London, and Berlin. At the same time
Advanced Cello, Intermediate Piano, Viola & Violin
Lenna Pierce has one foot in the world of classical music and one foot in the world of songwriting. As Singer-Songwriter Meaner Pencil she has been profiled in The Village Voice, interviewed on WFMU and has toured internationally including Paris, London, and Berlin. At the same time, her significant experience as a classical quartet member (including runner up in the prestigious "Play with the Chiaras" Competition) give her a grounding in solid classical technique. More recently, she is on track to complete a Master of Arts in Music Education degree from Columbia University this May. In addition, she will be completing first and second level Suzuki certification on Piano and Violin over the summer of 2021. Lenna has been teaching private lessons since 2011 and loves helping her students improve their tone, learn better sight reading skills, and become more relaxed in performance. She draws on her experiences as a songwriter to make music theory come alive for her students. She firmly believes that music is a language of the heart, and that it should be spoken and written, as well as read. Her favorite books about music are "Just Play Naturally" and "The Art of Practicing".
Cole Blouin
Rae Cerulean
Lenna Pierce
Beginner-Advanced Guitar, Beginner Piano, Intermediate Electric Bass, Songwriting & Composition
Cole Blouin is a sonic artist and music teacher based in Queens, NY. His creative work – across scores, improvised music, and popular song – engages memory, temporality, non-linearity, phenomena, and the fragile threshold between the narr
Beginner-Advanced Guitar, Beginner Piano, Intermediate Electric Bass, Songwriting & Composition
Cole Blouin is a sonic artist and music teacher based in Queens, NY. His creative work – across scores, improvised music, and popular song – engages memory, temporality, non-linearity, phenomena, and the fragile threshold between the narrative and the poetic. Recent works include ‘Mundiglossia/Bloom (‘…patiently, ’), a 48-minute solo for soprano saxophone, and ‘Songs of Desire and Belonging’, an EP comprised of four songs. He holds a degree from the New England Conservatory of Music (member of Pi Kappa Lambda Honors Society) and has attended Oberlin College, as well as festivals including Savannah Music Festival’s Acoustic Music Seminar and Vermont-located New Music On The Point. His mentors and teachers have included figures as diverse as Joe Morris, Carla Kihlstedt, Anthony Coleman, Stratis Minakakis, Trevor Bača, and briefly, Julian Lage. His piece “Mutual Horizon” is used in the forthcoming film “Before You Blink”. Between 2017 and 2019 he organized and played five primarily DIY tours of singer-songwriter music across the American Midwest, the East and West coasts, and parts of Canada. He currently is active as a composer, improviser, and coordinator for New York-based contemporary music collective Team of Collaborative Associates; maintaining an improvising trio of viola, violin, and guitar; writing score-based music; participating as a research assistant in study on music and cognition through MIT’s Media Lab; learning to sing; and developing his debut record of songs. Extramusical interests include literature, cinema, coffee, and spending time outside. Cole teaches guitar, composition, songwriting, music theory, and ear-training at all levels. He also teaches beginner/intermediate electric bass and beginner piano.
John Curcio
Rae Cerulean
Rae Cerulean
Advanced Trumpet, Intermediate Trombone- Euphonium, Intermediate Guitar, Intermediate and Jazz Piano, Drum Set, Snare Drum Rudiments, Jazz Theory and Composition, Songwriting, Vocals, Turntable Technique, Music Production – LI
Certifications:
NY State Teaching Certification in Media Communications 7-12
AVID Certified Instructor in Pro Too
Advanced Trumpet, Intermediate Trombone- Euphonium, Intermediate Guitar, Intermediate and Jazz Piano, Drum Set, Snare Drum Rudiments, Jazz Theory and Composition, Songwriting, Vocals, Turntable Technique, Music Production – LI
Certifications:
NY State Teaching Certification in Media Communications 7-12
AVID Certified Instructor in Pro Tools Audio Production Courses 101 and 110 Advanced Placement Music Theory Instructor Certificate
John Curcio Began his musical journey in church improvising on the trumpet, guitar and piano. He later branched out to the drum set and vocal performance. John received his music performance degree in 2007 in orchestral trumpet at Queens College under the tutelage of David Kraus. Afterward, he studied jazz arranging, composition and jazz trumpet with Michael Philip Mossman at Queens College. From 2002 until this present time, John is actively performing trumpet professionally as a career in the NY metropolitan area and abroad. John is currently enjoying leading worship at his church and is an active educator and freelance trumpeter in the music industry.
John is currently teaching in the NYCDOE as an instrumental performance and music technology educator in the high school level. At his school, John teaches music theory and guitar and piano performance in a large group setting. He has branched out to teaching the art of DJing and turntablism. John enjoys introducing music theory and rhythm reading through the medium of DJ controllers and turntables. As a songwriter and producer in his spare time, John has produced his own record with his wife Vanessa and released it in all streaming services. John Loves to utilize music technology to teach music theory, music business, songwriting and production techniques and vocal recording techniques in both large and small group settings.
Rae Cerulean
Rae Cerulean
Rae Cerulean
Beginner-Advanced Viola
Beginner-Intermediate Violin
Beginner Cello
Beginner Piano
With over 20 years of personal study and 6 years of teaching experience, Rae Cerulean offers exceptional instruction to aspiring musicians. They prioritize creating a positive and supportive environment where students can have fun while building a love
Beginner-Advanced Viola
Beginner-Intermediate Violin
Beginner Cello
Beginner Piano
With over 20 years of personal study and 6 years of teaching experience, Rae Cerulean offers exceptional instruction to aspiring musicians. They prioritize creating a positive and supportive environment where students can have fun while building a love for music making. Rae focuses on building each student’s confidence and teaches positive self-talk alongside constructive criticism. They adapt lessons to each student’s learning habits and personal music goals, ensuring everyone’s individual needs are met.
As a previous NYSSMA and All-State participant, Rae understands the importance of preparing for these musical assessments and has the expertise to guide students through these processes. Rae’s students have been accepted into festivals such as All County and LISFA, sit first stand in their school orchestras, and are scholarship recipients. Rae is a classically trained musician, but they frequently dive into other genres including jazz, bluegrass, and even rock. They will often arrange student’s favorite songs for them to learn - recent arrangements created for string students include songs by Billie Eilish, Arctic Monkeys, and Talking Heads.
Beyond teaching, Rae is a freelance violist; past engagements include performing as a soloist at the Heckscher Museum of Art, accompanying award-winning violinist Gil Shaham, and performing in a premiere of a Neil Sedaka piece. Additionally, Rae is a professional abstract artist, they regularly display artwork at local businesses and art fairs, and run a small online art shop. Rae Cerulean received their Graduate Performer's Certificate from the John J. Cali School of Music and a Bachelor of Science in Music from Hofstra University. Outside of their career, you can find Rae at the park with their dog and partner, tending to their garden, or watching the newest Netflix show.
Sam Obrist
Julia Birnbaum
Scott Sewell
Beginner-Advanced Guitar
Beginner Piano
Songwriting and Music Theory
Sam Obrist is a New York City based musician and singer-songwriter. He resides in Brooklyn where he hones his captivating performance style in the multiple venues surrounding the city while continuing to create and release music as he shifts from his bedroom setup to the mu
Beginner-Advanced Guitar
Beginner Piano
Songwriting and Music Theory
Sam Obrist is a New York City based musician and singer-songwriter. He resides in Brooklyn where he hones his captivating performance style in the multiple venues surrounding the city while continuing to create and release music as he shifts from his bedroom setup to the multiple studios surrounding the borough. With 18 years of guitar playing experience, Obrist has been under the wing of a variety of instructors throughout his teenage years, giving him a versatile range of musical expressions. Throughout this time, he has been an active songwriter and played in every high school music program his time could afford, moving around between jazz ensembles, big bands and local studios to record his originals . After finishing college, Obrist moved to New York to springboard his music career as an artist and instructor. He teaches guitar at all skill levels and age ranges with a teaching method that emphasizes an understanding of music theory and technique to get students started in a favorable direction. His lessons also focus on improvisation, ear training, harmony, songwriting and collaboration. A self taught musician on other instruments, Obrist teaches beginner piano as well.
Scott Sewell
Julia Birnbaum
Scott Sewell
Beginner-Advanced Voice and Percussion; Beginner-Intermediate Piano, Guitar, Ukulele, and Bass; Beginner Woodwind and Brass; Beginner Strings; Songwriting and Music Production Software; Music Theory, Sight-Singing, Sight-Reading, and Ear Training
Virtual and In-Person
University of Arkansas
BM Music Education - Woodwind, Brass, Per
Beginner-Advanced Voice and Percussion; Beginner-Intermediate Piano, Guitar, Ukulele, and Bass; Beginner Woodwind and Brass; Beginner Strings; Songwriting and Music Production Software; Music Theory, Sight-Singing, Sight-Reading, and Ear Training
Virtual and In-Person
University of Arkansas
BM Music Education - Woodwind, Brass, Percussion
BM Music Education - Choral
Scott Sewell is a singer, composer, and educator based in Brooklyn, NY. Having endeavored in music since he was eight years old, Scott is no stranger to the adventures and experiences that music can offer us all. Beginning with piano and guitar as a child, Scott laid a wholesome foundation to pursue degrees in percussion and voice at the University of Arkansas.
Scott has toured both nationally and internationally with the University of Arkansas music ensembles, taught multiple private studios of his own, and garnered experience in public and charter school classrooms. Having moved to New York City to pursue the arts and teach, Scott is excited to be a part of Seventh Street.
Julia Birnbaum
Julia Birnbaum
Christopher Norman
All Levels Violin and Viola - NYC
Violinist and violist Julia Birnbaum is a dedicated teacher and performer in New York City. Ms. Birnbaum, who started playing violin at age 5 in her home state of Maryland, received a bachelor’s degree in Violin Performance from Northwestern University under the tutelage of the 40-year Chicago Sympho
All Levels Violin and Viola - NYC
Violinist and violist Julia Birnbaum is a dedicated teacher and performer in New York City. Ms. Birnbaum, who started playing violin at age 5 in her home state of Maryland, received a bachelor’s degree in Violin Performance from Northwestern University under the tutelage of the 40-year Chicago Symphony veteran Blair Milton. While at Northwestern, Ms. Birnbaum studied violin pedagogy with Stacia Spencer, a contemporary of Mimi Zweig of Indiana University.
Ms. Birnbaum is a member of the Sarasota Opera Orchestra and recently performed with the Lincoln Center Stage Piano Quintet. She has been the seated concertmaster of the Chicago Arts Orchestra and has performed with the Hawaii, New World, Harrisburg, Monterey, Marin, Vallejo, Pacific Chamber, Illinois, Dubuque and Rockford Symphonies; the Chicago Chamber, Lincolnwood Chamber, and Renovo String Orchestras; the Berkeley Chamber Opera, Opera Cultura, and Orchestra Gloria among others.
Before moving to New York CIty, Ms. Birnbaum resided in San Francisco and Chicago where she performed and maintained a private teaching studio as well as studios at Amabile School of Music, Northern California Music & Arts Culture Center, Chicago School of Music and Music House Inc. She also taught group violin lessons through the YOURS and ViVO El Sistema Projects, Skinner North Classical School and South Loop Elementary School and coached sectionals for Chicago Youth Symphony, Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra and University of Illinois at Chicago.
Julia teaches in the style of Mimi Zweig, which focuses on natural physical motions nurtured in a non-judgmental environment. The goal is to play with complete freedom and independence! Julia is thrilled to be a part of Seventh Street Music & Tutoring!
Christopher Norman
Christopher Norman
Christopher Norman
Beginner to Advanced Guitar
Beginner to Early Advanced piano
Beginner to Early Advanced Drums
NYC & LI
Christopher Norman is a Multi talented instrumentalist and Audio Engineer, his love of music started developing early in the church, he learned to play drums at the age of seven and then piano at 9 and at 14 he started learning to p
Beginner to Advanced Guitar
Beginner to Early Advanced piano
Beginner to Early Advanced Drums
NYC & LI
Christopher Norman is a Multi talented instrumentalist and Audio Engineer, his love of music started developing early in the church, he learned to play drums at the age of seven and then piano at 9 and at 14 he started learning to play the guitar. He has over 10 years teaching experience with students of all all ages. He graduated from Brooklyn college with a Bachelor’s degree in music and is currently pursuing his masters in Music Education at Liberty University. Coming from a Caribbean background and then learning how to play rock, jazz, gospel and classical Christopher is able to have a very diverse approach when it comes to teaching incorporating all these elements into his curriculum. Chris’s goal is to make music fun and a learning experience, it doesn’t have to be complicated. He learned to play by ear first before learning to read music so he’s the intricacies of how difficult learning music is. Chris likes to relate theory and concepts to songs and not just in the classical sense but in modern music mostly, taking a complicated topic and making it simple. Christopher studied Jazz guitar under Professor Kevin Mcniel and Advanced Piano under Professor Hyun-Kyung Lee, both who are well respected musicians and composers in New York.
Chris currently resides in Queens NY and teaches drums at Prodigy School of the Arts, and piano and guitar privately.
Charles Jourdan
Christopher Norman
Charles Jourdan
Advanced Bass
Advanced Guitar
Intermediate Cello
Intermediate Viola
Beginner Violin
Intermediate Piano
Advanced Voice
NYC & LI
Charles Jourdan is a Queens, NY born multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, live and studio sound engineer, producer, and podcaster. Charles has performed with numerous groups such as Sal “The Voice” Valentinett
Advanced Bass
Advanced Guitar
Intermediate Cello
Intermediate Viola
Beginner Violin
Intermediate Piano
Advanced Voice
NYC & LI
Charles Jourdan is a Queens, NY born multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, live and studio sound engineer, producer, and podcaster. Charles has performed with numerous groups such as Sal “The Voice” Valentinetti, Black Tie Brass, ThatHousePartyTho, Palindrome Arts Collective, Homeboy Sandman, Thaddeus Lowe, and his own project, Experimental Soul.
He has over 15 years of experience educating, performing, and producing. Currently he is creating an album with his new band; Talk Divine, creating new music for Experimental Soul, and is the sound engineer for Christ Nation Church.
When creating original music Charles pulls together influences from his extensive Rock, Jazz, R&B and Gospel influences
Samantha Sloane
Christopher Norman
Charles Jourdan
Advanced Voice
Advanced Clarinet
Intermediate Piano
Beginner Guitar
LI
Samantha is a recent graduate of Molloy University with her BS in Music Therapy and Psychology. Her primary instruments include voice, piano and clarinet, guitar as a secondary and utilizes a wide variety of instruments during music therapy sessions. She has worked wi
Advanced Voice
Advanced Clarinet
Intermediate Piano
Beginner Guitar
LI
Samantha is a recent graduate of Molloy University with her BS in Music Therapy and Psychology. Her primary instruments include voice, piano and clarinet, guitar as a secondary and utilizes a wide variety of instruments during music therapy sessions. She has worked with a variety of populations ranging from early childhood to geriatric at in-patient psychiatric units. She has been teaching beginner piano to 4-8 year old children for the past seven months and providing music therapy for the past four months after finishing her degree.
Samantha believes in utilizing adaptive lessons that allow for the least restrictive environment whilst also promoting a child’s growth by helping them to become the best they can be. During lessons Samantha aims to aid clients in the areas relating to confidence, development and create an environment that promotes an overall enjoyment of music through curriculum-based and songwriting focused lessons. Her mission is to create a safe musical environment that allows for freedom of expression whilst promoting positive growth for the client.
Rebekah Yahoves
Robert Williamson
Annie Heischober
Beginner-Advanced Violin
Beginner-Intermediate Viola
Beginner Piano
LI
Rebekah Yahoves has taught private lessons and prepared students for NYSSMA for over twenty-five years. She has a BA and MA in Music Education from the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College. She studied composition and dance in Chichester, England, and gra
Beginner-Advanced Violin
Beginner-Intermediate Viola
Beginner Piano
LI
Rebekah Yahoves has taught private lessons and prepared students for NYSSMA for over twenty-five years. She has a BA and MA in Music Education from the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College. She studied composition and dance in Chichester, England, and graduated with honors. Rebekah is a New York State certified teacher and is currently the orchestra director at Portledge School in Locust Valley, where she works with string players in grades 4-12. She believes the key to a great lesson is the connection between the teacher and the student.
Annie Heischober
Robert Williamson
Annie Heischober
Beginner-Advanced Violin
Early Childhood/Music Therapy Sessions
LI
Annie currently attends the University of Delaware and is working towards a BA in psychology. She is fully engaged in various music programs at the university including the Delaware Symphony Orchestra as a violinist, a vocalist in one of Delaware’s choirs, and is a mem
Beginner-Advanced Violin
Early Childhood/Music Therapy Sessions
LI
Annie currently attends the University of Delaware and is working towards a BA in psychology. She is fully engaged in various music programs at the university including the Delaware Symphony Orchestra as a violinist, a vocalist in one of Delaware’s choirs, and is a member of one of the acappella groups in which she is a vocalist performing different voice parts as well as beatboxer.
Annie's main instrument is the violin. She has been playing since the age of 9. In high school, she held the 2nd violin section leader position, as well as being an executive board member for orchestra, choir, and the manager of her acappella group. Annie has had the opportunity to perform at Saratoga Springs, Disney World as well as participate in many NYSSMA festivals for both violin and voice.
Annie began teaching students of all ages through the Tri Music Honor Society. She expanded to tutor children on her own and sharing her knowledge of violin and music to students on Long Island. Annie has experience with both beginner and advanced level players in helping to prepare for NYSSMA as well as other repertoire and enhancing skill based learning. While teaching private lessons, Annie believes in the concept of playing for enjoyment rather than for perfection, finding this to work well especially for younger aged students.
Annie strongly believes that the teacher student connection is very important, making the experience positive and building confidence. Annie's teaching style allows for a safe playing environment in which mistakes are viewed as a chance to grow and learn. Annie structures her lessons so that the student is balanced and productive in order to accomplish their goals and advance as a musician.
Robert Williamson
Robert Williamson
Robert Williamson
Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Trumpet
Beginner Piano
Early Childhood Sessions
Introduction to Music Lessons
Music Theory and Composition
NYC
In 2023, Robert graduated with a Master of Music degree from the New School as a student of Mark Gould, and currently performs classical, contemporary, and jazz music throughout New York City
Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Trumpet
Beginner Piano
Early Childhood Sessions
Introduction to Music Lessons
Music Theory and Composition
NYC
In 2023, Robert graduated with a Master of Music degree from the New School as a student of Mark Gould, and currently performs classical, contemporary, and jazz music throughout New York City as a freelance musician, composer, and collaborator. In 2019, he completed a B.M. Performance degree at Virginia Commonwealth University under the study of Rex Richardson, Brian Strawley, and Taylor Barnett. Additional primary teachers include Paul Beniston in London, England, and Tim Hudson in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was a recipient of the Gin Robertson VCU Jazz Endowment and Jazz Scholar Fund award from 2017 through 2019. He is a regular practitioner of the Sōtō Zen tradition with the New York Zen Center in Chelsea, New York, and also enjoys drawing, photography, and composing electronic soundscapes.