All music lessons are currently given online.
Read more about how online music lessons work:
Read more about how online music lessons work:
How do online music lessons work?
Lessons will be conducted through a platform called JamKazam. This platform allows the student and the teacher to work together remotely in real time. For voice students this is especially important, as you will be able to hear and sing along to voice exercises as soon as I play them. Voice students will also be able to sing along to real-time piano accompaniment. There is no audio delay as there is over Zoom or other online meeting applications.
For piano students, I will be able to help you shape your playing and your sense of tone and rhythm in real time, as you perform your piece.
Students in the New York tri-state area will have the best and fastest audio times. I live in NYC and will be working out of my home; the closer your location is to my location, the better remote audio transmission will be. The farther one gets away from the NY metropolitan area, the more chance there is for audio delay to factor in; however, ultimately, quick and immediate sound transmission will depend on your native internet connection and your home set up.
What equipment and subscriptions do you need?
All students signing up for remote lessons will need a JamKazam account at the Gold Subscription level. This allows for better internet transmission speeds on the app itself.
Students will also need the following equipment and home tech set up:
*A desktop or laptop computer running the minimum version of the operating system that JamKazam requests (the platform is not currently optimized to work on iPads or iPhones)
*An Ethernet connection. This is critically important. Lessons cannot be conducted over WiFi through the JamKazam app, as WiFi communication is prone to interruption and is too slow to transmit high-quality audio in real time
*An external microphone
*XLR Microphone cable
*Microphone stand
*Audio interface
*Wired headphone
*An external webcam (this is optional, but it does make for better video)
If this seems overwhelming and intimidating, I understand! It took me quite a while to set up all these various pieces of equipment in a way that helps me optimize audio. After streamlining this approach, I am happy to guide you as you purchase these tech components, and happy to help you set them up in a quick and efficient way.
Lesson Rates
I understand that commitment to online lessons is an important decision to make, especially when you haven’t met the teacher before and must purchase specialized equipment before you even begin. For this reason, I offer all new students two free lessons as we start our journey together.
The first lesson is a meet-and-greet, and it is free of charge. We will meet over an application like Zoom or Google Duo to introduce ourselves, discuss your music goals, and chat for a bit. If you are a singer, I will ask you to sing a cappella so that I can hear your tone and observe your breathing patterns. If you are a piano student and you currently have a keyboard or piano, I will ask you to play a little bit so I can listen to your tone, your sense of rhythm, and observe your posture and hand technique. I will also discuss my teaching methods, and you will have a chance to ask me questions.
If you decide to continue with lessons after we meet, and you purchase the equipment above, we will spend the next lesson setting up your equipment remotely and optimizing your sound. This lesson will be at least an hour, which will give us time to streamline your equipment and set your levels, as well as work through some exercises and music materials. This lesson is also free of charge.
For all lessons after the first two, I offer a sliding scale fee structure. There are special rates for essential workers, for whom I am grateful and whom I wish to thank and honor for their dedicated work during this pandemic. If you are an essential worker and you are struggling with finances, please contact me if you are interested in music lessons for you or your family, and we will work out a special rate.
If you are financially able to pay the full fee during this time, that is appreciated. If you are struggling with finances due to the pandemic shutdown but would still like to explore music lessons, contact me so that we can discuss a reduced rate.