Our Team
Experienced instructors from the best music programs in the country!
Hi, I'm Nicole!
My approach to a typical lesson:
My advice to students:
Favorite local places:
My Music:
Change of Weather EP on Apple Music https://music.apple.com/us/album/change-of-weather-ep/1632160381Aurora
Fleet Foxes
Philip Glass
Online Lessons
Hi, I’m Zack!
I’m a composer and sound designer with a degree in Film/Video Game Scoring from Berklee College of Music. I first started playing the guitar when I was about 10 years old, but my passion for music really ramped up when I discovered my love for singing and music composition in high school. Since then I’ve enjoyed many years of singing in choirs, performing in musical theater productions, and working as an audio engineer and composer for podcasts. I also absolutely love video game music and have been gaining experience in the game audio industry. In college, I even sang in a choir that performed a cappella arrangements of video game music!My Approach to a Typical Lesson:
I like to allow student’s creativity and curiosity to lead the overall direction of their lessons. Helping them understand why they enjoy the music that they listen to is very important for them to want to keep learning and improving. I also like to emphasize the importance of learning things by ear and learning music theory. Both of these skills open so many doors in what is possible with music.My Advice for Students:
My advice is for students to explore new things. Whether it’s a new genre of music, a new instrument, or even writing and producing music themselves, being open to exploring something new helps keep the musical spark lit!My Favorite Local Places:
I just recently moved back to New Jersey so I’m still exploring the area!Three Tips for Success:
- Be patient with yourself. Music can be challenging, but it can also show you the value of patience and perseverance. Every great musician makes mistakes!
- Find new music to listen to. Finding new music that inspires you can help keep up that drive to practice or create something yourself.
- Don’t compare your abilities to others. Everyone learns at a different pace and in a different way. Just do your best to have fun and collaborate with others instead of competing with others.
My Music:
Music for a fictional video game about a dinosaur town: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2E-UliC6PE Singing Bass in the PXL8 Video Game Choir: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6JhruMx7lMI’m Carla!
I am an experienced international flutist and composer and multi-instrumentalist, deeply passionate about pushing musical boundaries. Raised in Argentina, I was immersed in Candombe, Chacarera, Milonga, and Tango melodies. My academic journey led me to UNT and EMPA, specializing in Tango music. In 2010 I relocated to the US where I expanded my expertise with early childhood programs like Music Together.
As a performer, I've collaborated with notable musicians in various genres at prestigious venues like the Old Town School of Popular Music and the Indianapolis Metal Fest."
As a composer and band leader, my journey led me to found and direct the Yuyo Verde Tango Band and later the Carla Campopiano Trio. This path also involved creating multimedia projects, such as ‘Borges Piazzolla y el Tango,’ and embarking on two memorable European tours.
I've shared my musical knowledge through teaching in schools and community centers, offering private lessons, and contributing to music schools. I've also had the privilege of instructing in Summer Music Programs, covering various instruments such as piano, flute, Violin, Guitar, and music theory, as well as early childhood music programs.
In my teaching approach
I seek to ensure that each lesson is not only productive and practical but also an opportunity to perceive the magic and joy of music creation.
To the students
I warmly encourage students to always embrace the joy of music. While it's common to encounter technical challenges or obstacles in practice, it's essential to remember that music is the objective itself and that is why music has the remarkable power to connect people from all over the World.
My Favorite Local Places:
While I’m from Warren I’ve come to enjoy the Argentine coffee shop Patria Station Cafe at Berkeley Heights, and the Watchung reservation trails.
Three Tips for Success:
Curiosity
Your musical journey is like the rhythm of ocean waves. Don't get stuck in the lows; see them as steps for your growth. Let your curiosity guide you as you keep moving forward!
Consistency
Consistent practice is key to your musical journey. Collaborating with fellow musicians in orchestras and groups and maintaining a steady routine is vital for your growth in the world of music. Stay organized and enjoy your musical journey."
Patience
Be patient with yourself.
Embrace new pathways to enhance your musical journey.
Awards & Recognitions:
My commitment to music has earned me recognition, including being selected for presentations at the 47th Annual Convention of the “National Flute Association” in 2019, the Mid Atlantic Flute Association in 2020, and the NY Flute Club in 2023. These honors reflect my dedication and contributions to the world of music.
My Music
Carla’s YouTube channel https://youtube.com/@carlacampopiano8018?si=FF0tGI0HrSn2af5F
Concert with Eduardo Fonseca https://youtu.be/2airWQ313VQ?si=x0eAyrYzIS3mtmTM
Hi, I'm Amanda!
My approach to a typical lesson
My advice for students
My favorite local places
My Music
Online Lessons
Hi, I'm Aaron!
My Approach to a Typical Lesson:
My Advice for Students:
My Favorite Local Places:
Three Tips for Success:
My Music:
Millburn, NJ
Hi, I'm Jason!
Playing music took root from the outside in during my early years. My Father was a big DJ around the state, my Grandfather was a classical pianist, and as I got to an age where my friends began to become influences, I seemed to be drawn to anyone who was involved with music. I started taking music lessons in the 3rd grade. I chose the baritone saxophone, an instrument as big as I was. I absolutely hated it! I couldn't even carry the instrument up the stairs. The next year and thereafter, I stuck with piano. Finally, when I reached high school, I invited a new friend over to my place; he played the guitar, and after playing a few little blues lines for me, I was totally into being a musician. I had never seen someone play the guitar so up close to me. I remember being amazed. I was 14, and since then, I have considered myself a musician, owning that title.How I approach a lesson
First and foremost, all of my lessons are a vessel of validation. To inspire that no matter where the student may be, their efforts are recognized and rewarded. My lesson room is their safe space. Where the issues of real life can fall away. Where they can, for however long a session may be, fully delve into an activity that brings them joy, satisfaction, and pride. I sustain that whatever the student puts into their studies will be what they get out of it. Coming to terms with this realization will guide what they are able to realistically bring to the table. My role is to be fluid yet, also provide guidance and tutelage toward achieving the goals that they do not know how to attain. My conversation with parents is an effort to extend that safe space and relationship with music into their own homes.My Advice to Students
Always try! Do not be afraid to fail. And do not forget to celebrate your success. Learning something new is difficult for anyone. It makes sense to feel awkward, uncomfortable, and maybe even afraid of trying something new. Give yourself the patience to experience it. You may learn something about yourself you wouldn't have otherwise!My favorite local places:
My Music:
Hi, I’m Eric!
I’ve been playing music since I was 11, and drums have been my first love. I first really started getting interested in music when my grandparents took me to go see Drum and Bugle Corps in 2011, and I have been hooked since. I was torn in high school between music and baseball ultimately, I decided to stick with music, and it was one of the hardest yet most rewarding decisions I made. I studied music like crazy in high school and made it into a Drum and Bugle Corps, 7th Regiment, and other state-wide ensembles. I also ended up going and graduating from Berklee College of Music. Music has made such a huge impact on my life for the better, and I loved every second of it.My Approach To A Typical Lesson
A lot of people think of drummers as just a lot of noise. My main goal is to teach my students how to make drums sound like music. There’s a lot of listening to not just drums but also learning how harmony works, training students’ ears to hear rhythms and melodies. Developing a student’s creative thought is also important to help them find their musical voice.My Advice For Students
My advice would be to listen to everything and ask lots of questions. To understand music to its fullest, we must immerse in it daily and ask lots of questions. Some may be about the music, and some may be about yourself. Music is universal and can be applied everywhere.My Favorite Local Places
I love going to Shanghai Jazz Club in Madison. Lots of great musicians pass through, and it’s always so inspiring to go listen to some great live music and not just jazz!My Music
I have played on a number of records with my friends from Berklee. Such as Rob Valera, Zoe Sparks, Will Costello, Dan Walker, and Peter Gural.Online Lessons
Hi, I'm Jackson.
I am a graduate of SUNY Purchase College with a Bachelor’s in Music with a concentration in Studio Composition. The piano is my primary instrument, but after attending the Studio Composition program at Purchase, I developed a strong passion and knowledge for Music Production and Songwriting. Throughout my music journey, I have toured the country playing keyboards in a pop band, composed musical theater, and most recently been writing, producing and performing with an Alternative Pop/Rock band that I’ve formed with two friends from my music program at Purchase College. Most of my experiences with music have not been expected, but that is what I love most about pursuing a career in music. There is always something new to learn!My Approach To A Typical Lesson
I have a very strong background in Music Theory and would use those skills to form how the student learns and understands their instrument and music in general. I believe that learning music theory opens up so many possibilities for the student to take their music journey wherever they want it to go. In every facet of my teaching, my goal is to improve the student’s technical ability while playing or creating music that the student enjoys.My Advice For Students
Listen to as much music as you can; there is always something to learn from listening to a song in any genre. Consistency is the most important thing for practicing, but on days you don’t have time or energy to practice, practice active listening habits while listening to your favorite songs!My Favorite Local Places
Arlene’s Grocery in NYCJames Jamerson
Paul McCartney
Tom Jobim
Herbie Hancock
Online Lessons
Hi, I'm Diego!
My love for music began at a young age when my father would share his love for funk music with my brother and I. He loved the music of groups like Parliament and Jamiroquai and it rubbed off on me at a young age. In my teens I would teach myself how to play different instruments through instructional books/DVDs from the public library and playing in bands with friends; but I had been studying for a career in architectural design. After high-school, I felt that my heart was completely in music, so I abandoned architecture and got a job to pay my way through Berklee Music for Music Production. Since graduation, I have been recording local acts from Rock, Pop, to Hip Hop and investing all the revenue back into the studio. This has taught me many valuable lessons about the entire music production process; from having the first idea of a song to officially releasing it to the world and every step in-between.My Approach To A Typical Lesson
While teaching music lessons, my main goal is to cultivate a love for music that carries through the years. Like English conveys ideas, music is a language of emotions, and I hope to instill the desire to speak that language to all my students. By flexing our creative muscles through constant creation, the theory and the technicalities become a goal for the student to facilitate the expression of music they feel inside.My Advice For Students
To learn any language we must immerse ourselves in the world of that language. My advice is to immerse into the world of music by listening, studying, practicing, and playing as often as we can. We become what we do, so if we play music everyday, we are music.My Favorite Local Places
So i Heard Music, and not just because I work there! It's honestly a very inspirational place to see all my colleagues and their pupils achieves so much. Besides that I'd say my house.My Music
I am currently establishing a record label where all my future projects will live. Stay Tuned! www.protunerecords.comMuse
Gojira
Rage Against the Machine
Stevie Wonder
Online Lessons
Hi, I'm Tim!
I grew up playing and exploring as many instruments as possible to get a feel for the language and nature of music. As an informed multi-instrumentalist, I pursued an education in the Recording Arts in order to understand how to be a producer and engineer. My explorations taught me that a huge passion of mine is relating to others on a more personal level. As such, I furthered my education to become a Music Therapist. My life mission is to help others achieve their goals through music.My Approach To A Typical Lesson
I like to ask students to share with me the type of music that most interests them. Preferences guide the learning journey every day and can especially inspire us to continue persevere through difficult challenges.My Advice For Students
Listen to music every day. Find out exactly what appeals to you and what doesn't so you can talk to a teacher or mentor about how to best help you along your musical journey.My Favorite Sources of Inspiration
I find inspiration from being in nature and with people. I love meeting new people and helping them along their musical journey anyway I can. I go to concerts about three times a month to discover new artists, and support musicians I already listen to. Movie and Video games are also hugely important sources of music. I find myself exploring YouTube for content from all around the world to share with others.Miles Davis
Billy Joel
Bela Bartok
Circa Survive
Hi, I'm Andrew!
I studied Jazz Performance at Montclair State University with a concentration in trumpet. While I was in my undergraduate studies I was able to meet six other musicians who shared a similar philosophy of creativity. We formed a band called Thank You Scientist and through that I was able to tour the country for 8 years. I was fortunate to have shared the stage with amazing bands such as Yes, The Dear Hunter, Coheed and Cambria, Periphery and many more! Although I was fully invested in the rock scene at the time, this did not stop me from composing and performing jazz around the New Jersey and New York scene. I was a part of the New York Youth Big Band in which I was able to play along side Terell Stafford, Phil Woods, Nir Felder and more. Over the years, I've strived to not pigeon hole myself into one style, genre or instrument in the pursuit of my expression. The theory knowledge learned from the jazz and rock scene helped me to excel in the learning of many other instruments which now gives me the ability to teach at a deeper and more concise level.My Approach To A Typical Lesson
Since jazz is my background, I emphasize the use of the ears in lessons. We do a lot of listening and ear training to better understand what we hear. This being said, I also love to play with my students so they get a good sense of what to sound like. I also love to work on songs and music that my students are listening to and make it as hard or easy for each individuals level. This being said, I do spend some time developing technique through scales, exercise books, and theory knowledge.My Advice For Students
Make sure you keep your ears open at all times! Listen to yourself and the greats!My Favorite Local Places
I love getting into the city and heading to the Village Vanguard and the 55 bar for jazz. But I also head to the Bowery Electric and the Knitting Factory to check out some up and coming rock music.My Music
I recorded three records with my old rock band Thank You Scientist (7 piece prog rock band) I currently play in a band called First Mountain I also love pop music - check out this track I'm featured on!Kendrick Lamar
Mark Guiliana
Florence + the Machine
CHON
Hi, I'm Nick!
I began learning Coldplay songs on the piano around the eighth grade. In high school, my friends finally convinced me to join the marching band after two years of me telling them I wasn't interested. I ended up really enjoying it, and went on to perform with a Drum and Bugle Corps for five years! I learned to play the vibraphone, then the xylophone, and finally the marimba. I discovered a deep love of music, and decided that that was what I wanted to go to college for! I graduated from Montclair State University in 2019 with a degree in Music Theory/Composition and an instrumental focus in Percussion. Since then, I've been working to develop my writing an playing abilities further. I love composing new music as well as arranging music in different styles and instrumentation.My Approach To A Typical Lesson
I believe in giving my students the resources and building blocks to learn and understand concepts on their own. This can help them to grow organically and not feel as if they are simply being spoon-fed information. I also love posing questions to my students to encourage critical thinking. I am a huge proponent of the fundamentals: a good foundation in technique and music theory can support the student as they grow into the type of musician that they would eventually like to be!My Advice For Students
Discover what you like about music, and strive to learn more about it. Exploring new concepts and developing your taste can become a huge part of the fun! We have an incredible amount of music both past and present available at our fingertips. Even if you spent your entire life playing, you would never run out of things to learn. It may seem intimidating, but everyone needs to begin somewhere!My Favorite Local Places
NJPAC in Newark, NJ Rockwood Music Hall in NYC The Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYCMy Music
I'm a composer who loves percussion, electronic music, and minimalism. This is a recording from my Senior Composition Recital of a jazz piece titled "Frazil". It was written about ice crystals that form under moving bodies of water called "frazil ice."Patternist
Queen
Ben Platt
The Moody Blues
Online Lessons
Hi, I'm Aaron!
I have received my B.M. in Music Performance and Pedagogy from Kean University in Union NJ. My primary instrument is voice but I am a multi-instrumentalist who is proficient in guitar and piano as well. I have had various experiences performing both solo and in groups including but not limited to multiple performances with the Woodbridge Community Players (shows include West Side Story as a Shark, Little Shop of Horrors as Seymour and Cabaret as Herr Schulz), The Kean University Choir, and with my band “The Wednesdays.” I teach voice, drums, music theory, beginner piano, and more!My Approach To A Typical Lesson
My typical approach to teaching lesson's is as follows: I would greet the student, ask about their week and lead them in a short physical stretch. After stretching would be a short five minute warm up. At this point I would either introduce a new piece or review old music, having the student sing through the piece and making mistakes along the way. When finished, I would pinpoint any particular sections giving the student any trouble.My Advice For Students
The one way to improve on your instrument is to practice everyday! It may seem impossible but all it takes is 10 minutes a day! You must be willing to put in the work to achieve greatness!My Favorite Local Places
New York City in any theater M Uncle's front porch My Basement studioMy Music
Aaron also performs in a band called "The Wednesdays." Their music can be found on Spotify.Radiohead
Beethoven
Miles Davis
John Bonham
Online Lessons
Hi, I'm Rob!
I am a multi-instrumentalist specializing in Drums, Piano, Guitar, Voice, and Music Production. I have been playing drums since I was 12 and piano since I was 8. I have performed in many different bands as a drummer, keyboardist and songwriter/singer. I have a lot of experience performing on stage and working in recording studios. I graduated from Music College in a degree in performance and music theory. I have been teaching for many years and love to share my passion and knowledge with my students. I have studied many different genres. From jazz and rock to classical and funk. I personally like to combine all styles and create music that is interesting and innovative. Also, having a good beat and catchy melody is most important! I think it's important to be influenced by many different styles and sounds. I look to instill this in my students and encourage them to think outside the box and explore different types of music that they normally wouldn't listen to.My Approach To A Typical Lesson
Whether you're a beginner or experienced I like to start slow and get a sense of the instrument. We do this through fun warmups! For me it's all about music so I also try to get a sense of what kind of music the student enjoys. Listening to songs and understanding what the musicians are doing is a great way to becoming better at your chosen instrument.My Advice For Students
Remember music is all about having fun. Relax, it's okay to make mistakes. Actually making mistakes is the only way to get better.My Favorite Local Places
Rockwood Music Hall Newark Museum Smalls Jazz Club QXT's Night Club The METMy Music
I currently play in a band called Moon Rabbit Retreat. If this doesn't showcase my skill set,I don't know what will. In the band I play drums, keyboards and sing. It's easier than it sounds!Kimbra
Circa Survive
Punch Brothers
Mutemath