Teaching
Flute, Piano, Voice, Composition
In every lesson, I bring my wealth of experience as a professional jazz flutist, music director, collaborative pianist, and composer. I teach classical as well as jazz, but I especially love using Brazilian Choro (it’s similar to Ragtime) to teach technique and improvisation. For younger students, I am certified to teach Suzuki flute and piano as well as Music Mind Games, a fun and engaging music theory teaching method.
My background includes teaching artist work with the Afro-Latin Jazz Alliance and the 92nd Street Y. I hold masters’ degrees in music from both the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the Frost School at the University of Miami, as well as an undergraduate degree in music education from Oberlin.
Studio
Dominique’s School of Music
Dominique’s School of Music is a multi-generational community committed to sharing music with others. Our recent recital celebrations have been a hybrid of in-studio and Zoom performances, with friends and family joining in from all over the world.
Dominique’s School of Music
Piano, flute, voice, and songwriting lessons
in Brooklyn and online!
Flute Lessons
Whether you are a beginner or want to improve on skills you already have, I am here to help you take it to the next level! I have worked in a wide range of genres, including Classical, straight-ahead and Latin Jazz, Blues, Rock, Charanga, Boogaloo, Choro, English Country Dance, and Contra music.
How Lessons Work
Beginners
Our lessons will focus on creating a good tone and a solid technique, with methodology drawn from my training with former principal flutist of the Cleveland Symphony, John Rautenberg, as well as my experiences as a Suzuki flute teacher and jazz artist.
Intermediate / Advanced
For more experienced players, we will focus on fine-tuning your technique through the exploration of a diverse range of styles. If improvisation is a goal for you, but fear stands in the way, we’ll work together to break through your resistance.
After Our Lesson
Each student is provided with detailed notes about what to work on for the week. We also discuss how to create a fun daily practice habit that makes use of games and rewards — for all ages! Reach out to me any time during the week with questions, & practice, practice, practice!
Piano Lessons
Whether you have a child who has a ‘good ear’ or you want to take your piano skills to the next level, my goal is for my students to enjoy the process of learning the piano. Lessons are fun, creative, and nurturing and often include games, story-writing, composing, and movement, even for adults! For over 20 years, I have served as a pianist/keyboardist for musical theater, ballet studios, cruise ships, and singers, playing in styles ranging from Classical and Jazz to Blues, Broadway, and Boogaloo.
How Lessons Work
Before Or During Our First Lesson
I find out what excites each student about the piano and studying music. Often, the piano is a ‘gateway’ instrument to further musical study, and my role in providing a positive experience for my students is a responsibility.
Beginners
Lessons are centered around the Suzuki method, which enables all my beginner piano students to play the same repertoire. When my beginner students hear the more advanced students play the harder Suzuki pieces, they inevitably want to play those pieces, too! All lessons focus on solid technique, ease of motion, theory, and composition. (Non-Suzuki lessons are also available.)
Intermediate / Advanced
For more experienced players, our lessons explore the vast repertoire of the piano, with the goal of improving technique and musicality. I also love to teach improvisation, music theory, composition, and accompanying.
After Our Lesson
Each student is provided with detailed notes about what to work on for the week. We also discuss how to create a fun daily practice habit that makes use of games and rewards — for all ages! Reach out to me any time during the week with questions, & practice, practice, practice!
Voice Lessons
Whether you are exploring singing for the first time or are an experienced vocalist, I am here to help you free your voice. Trained in both Italian Bel Canto and vocal jazz techniques, I can help you prepare for auditions, develop as a singer-songwriter and even learn how to accompany yourself on piano. I have experience in styles that include Jazz, Pop, Classical and musical theater.
How Lessons Work
Before Or During Our First Lesson
I’ll get to know your personal goals as a singer, and together we will develop a plan for your lessons. I will assess your voice for range and get a feel for where you are. We will also decide on the style(s) of music you would like to use in lessons.
First Half
Lessons always begin with breathing, vocal warm-ups, and exercises. The goal is to put you in touch with using your body as your instrument and understanding concepts of posture, breath control, diction, and tone placement. I couldn’t believe how big my voice was after taking lessons myself!
Second Half
The rest of the lesson is used to work on repertoire. Through the process of learning lyrics and melody, we simultaneously focus on how to sing with a healthy and safe technique. Song interpretation, phrasing, and tone color are also discussed, as well as ways to overcome any vocal issues.
After Our Lesson
Each student is provided with detailed notes about what to work on for the week. We also discuss how to create a fun daily practice habit that makes use of games and rewards — for all ages! Reach out to me any time during the week with questions, & practice, practice, practice!
Songwriting / Composition / Arranging Lessons
Have you always dreamed of writing your own songs, arranging for your band or composing for film and tv? I have over 20+ years of experience writing songs, composing and arranging in many styles, including Jazz, Classical, Pop, Musical theater and Folk . I especially love collaborating with singer-songwriters to help them get their ideas onto paper and to harmonize their pieces. You can listen to my music HERE. Let’s collaborate!
How Lessons Work
Before Or During Our First Lesson
We will discuss where you are as a composer, vocalist, and / or instrumentalist and your experiences as a writer up to this point. Sharing a composition is encouraged. Then, we make a plan based on your individual goals.
Beginners
Beginners will learn songwriting through a combination of writing their own pieces and studying the structure of pieces that inspire them. Basics of songwriting will be covered, including songs structure, lyric writing, harmony, melodic construction, and rhyming techniques.
Intermediate / Advanced
Songwriters with more experience can fine-tune any aspect of their songs. This includes editing lyrics, creating richer harmonies, or improving melodic construction. Students can also take their songs to the next level by learning how to arrange them for a band or create harmonized backing vocals. Recordings can also be made in my studio.
After Our Lesson
Each student is provided with detailed notes about what to work on for the week. We also discuss how to create a fun daily practice habit that makes use of games and rewards — for all ages! Reach out to me any time during the week with questions, & practice, practice, practice!
Studio
Lesson Rates & Policies
FULL QUARTER LESSON RATES:
Quarter 1: Jan, February, March
Quarter 2: April, May, June
Quarter 3: July, August, September
Quarter 4: October, November, December
30-minute lessons (children only) : $60
45-minute lessons : $75
60-minute lessons : $90
Payments are due within the week of our first lesson. I accept various electronic payment options including PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle.
Package lessons are also available. (4 to 8 lessons to be completed in that quarter.)
CANCELLATIONS & MAKE-UPS
With the exception of an emergency, any last-minute cancellations (less than 24 hours notice) WILL NOT be made up. In the event of an emergency, please notify me as soon as you can.
Potential new students have the option to take one “test” lesson at a discounted rate:
30-minutes (children only) – $50
45-minutes – $60
60-minutes – $70
TERMINATION OF LESSONS
If you decide to terminate lessons, I require at least one month’s notice.
As your instructor, I reserve the right to discontinue the enrollment of any student who:
- Misses THREE (3) consecutive lessons without notification
- Has a pattern of absences or requesting schedule changes at the last minute
- Is disrespectful during our lessons
Student Gallery
