Prospective Students

I teach every private student differently according to his or her own level, interests, and age. This allows each student to emerge in their own right as a musician. It has been my experience, both as a teacher and as a student, that information tends to be better retained as soon as it is necessary to actually make music. In this way, students can play the music they want to play as quickly as possible, while using each new piece of music as an etude for a new basic concept or technique which is vital to their own personal development. Eventually, each student will come to know all of the basics through exploring their own interests, and at their own pace. In this approach, abstract concepts are reinforced through playing, and playing is facilitated by greater knowledge. Most importantly, this approach retains the fun of learning, since each student’s goals move as close to them as possible. If you’d like a deeper understanding of the guitar, a greater proficiency with playing it, or if you’d simply like to start yourself (or someone you love) off on a secure path to getting it right the first time, let’s discuss your needs. I’ll explain how I can help you along your individual path. Virtual lessons are also available.

FYI

  • Thomas has been teaching guitar and music continuously for over 30 years.
  • He received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Classical Guitar Performance from SUNY Stony Brook in 2007.
  • At CUNY Hunter, Thomas was an award-winning teacher where he taught as an Adjunct Assistant Professor for 8 years, and as a Teacher Associate for 13 years.
  • He also taught for 14 years at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, and was part of the Professional Studies Division.
  • Thomas has been playing electric guitar even longer then he has been playing Classical Guitar.
  • Thomas has lectured on various aspects of the electric guitar at: St. Bonaventure University, SUNY Fredonia, Buffalo State College, Five Towns College, and CUNY Hunter.
  • His students have gained acceptance into college level music programs at SUNY Fredonia, Reed College, CUNY Hunter, and the Brooklyn College Conservatory of Music, into High School music programs at LaGuardia High School, Special Music School High School, and the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts High School, and into youth music programs at Mannes, the Manhattan School of Music, and Juilliard.
  • Thomas received his Bachelor’s degree in classical guitar performance from SUNY Fredonia under Distinguished Professor James Piorkowski, and his Master’s and Doctoral degrees from SUNY Stony Brook under Jerry Willard.
  • Thomas has participated in master classes given by Manuel Barrueco, and the Evangelos Assimakopoulos and Liza Zoe duo. He has also had formative private lessons with David Starobin, Nikita Koshkin, Michael Cedric-Smith, and Patrick O’Brien.