Lessons Offered
Music Theory, Piano, Music
Where are Lessons Offered
In Teacher Studio
In Student Home
About Me
Bryan is an experienced piano instructor and music theory tutor with a profound knowledge of all musical genres and all eras of music history. Bryan has been teaching piano privately, in public schools, and in music studios in the Fairfield and Westchester Counties since 2006. He is currently a member of the faculty at Long Ridge Music Center in Stamford and Dance Adventure of Greenwich.
A message from Bryan:
"People often ask me whether I believe that everyone has some degree of musical ability. The answer, although surprising to some, is most certainly yes. If music has ever touched your life in any way - whether performing your favorite piece helped you through a hard time, or whether listening to a certain song reminds you of a place and time - this is an indication that there is musical ability within you. If you love music, you will certainly be able to create music. In my lessons, I hope to foster this passion that lies within all of us.
Students are people. Not tally marks. Let's remember that. No teaching method will work for all students because students, like people, are all different. In fact, no single technique can capture an entire student. That's why I make a point to know my students as individuals, and as friends, and cater my lessons to their strengths. This usually means utilizing not only tried-and-true lesson books, but also some unique, outside the box thinking.
The most important thing is this: education is not a one way street. The teacher should learn as much from the student as the student learns from the teacher. Every lesson is a new experience for both parties, and embracing new experiences is what learning is all about. If I haven't learned something new each lesson, I haven't done my job.
Let's keep an open mind, and explore the world of music together."
My Musical Education Background
Bryan graduated cum laude from Boston College with a Bachelor's Degree in Music and a concentration in performance.
During his early years, Bryan studied jazz and classical music with jazz great Joyce DiCamillo. Accelerated progress allowed him to attend the YAP Jazz Workshop at a very young age, where he studied with several jazz legends including Joe Beck and Spyro Gyro.
During high school and college, Bryan taught music for 5 years in the Greenwich Public Schools system, where he was instructed on the proper techniques, curriculum, and attitude to adapt when teaching large groups of young children.
Genres and Subjects Taught
The best pianists are the most well-rounded: those who find validity in all genres.
Classical music is immensely rewarding to play and teach, but jazz, pop, rock, and show tunes can be equally as stimulating.
The best music for a student to learn is what he or she loves to play, regardless of genre. If a student does not enjoy a piece, the results will suffer.
Want to play a Chopin Nocturne? Sure. Want to learn "Hey Jude"? Of course. Love the score to South Pacific? No problem.
Performance is of course, above all, supposed to be fun.
Lesson Rates
Contact me to discuss rates for either a 30 minute, 45 minute, or 60 minute lesson.
Ages / Skill Levels Taught
All ages are welcome!
Whether you're 5 or 50, it's never too late to start learning an instrument.
My Certifications and Awards
- Bachelor's Degree in Music from Boston College
- over 6 years of music teaching experience in Greenwich public schools and numerous studios in the area
- performed in Lincoln Center with legendary jazz musician Wynton Marsalis
- served as keyboardist in the backing band for the great Billy Preston
- best young jazz pianist in Western Connecticut for 3 consecutive years
- recipient of numerous performance awards including being named in the top 2 best jazz pianists in CT
- musical director and accompanist for several musical theater performances with Off-Beat Players and Greenwich High School
My Musical Influences
If the best pianists are the most well-rounded, it follows that those performers should absorb as much musical influence as possible. Hence to peg only a few musical influences down is difficult, as there can be a few musicians for every genre. But to name a few:
Renaissance:
- Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina
- Giovanni Gabrieli
Baroque:
- Johann Sebastian Bach
- Claduio Monteverdi
- Carlo Gesualdo
Classical:
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
- Joseph Haydn
Romantic:
- Richard Wagner
- Ludwig van Beethoven
- Frederic Chopin
- Franz Liszt
- Modest Mussorgsky
20th Century:
- Alban Berg
- Arnold Schoenberg
- Bela Bartok
- Anton Webern
Popular:
- Brian Wilson
- Jerome Kern
- Stephen Sondheim
- Burt Bacharach
Contemporary Popular:
- Adele
- Ben Folds
- Sondre Lerche
- Scott Walker
Service Area
Student Reviews
Emily S
Stamford, CT
Bryan is an awesome teacher! I’m 27 years old and took piano lessons for a few years when I was a child. I decided to pick it back up this year and was looking for someone who would teach me all different types of music. Being an adult learner isn’t always easy, but Bryan has been very patient and always encourages me. He’s professional, but easy-going. He’s punctual and always shows up with a smile! I like that Bryan breaks down all of the tough concepts for me and reviews them each week so I never feel overwhelmed. I have learned a lot over the past few months and would highly recommend Bryan to be your piano teacher if you are looking for an excellent teacher who makes learning piano fun!