Jules H. TakeLessons Instructor music theory, classical piano New York, NY

Born in Paris, France and subsequently moving to Brooklyn, NY, Jules H. first began his musical journey with Haitian master drummer Frisner Augustin, learning the Haitian drum at age five and forever instilling in him a love for rhythm and sound. Eventually at age seven he decided to pursue a more colorful instrument, the piano forte studying under Ida Barak for two years until he left for the Southwest of France with his family. There he studied piano under the tutelage of Madame Labeque for three years after which he and his family moved back to the United States and settled in East Hampton where Jules continued his studies under Alvin Novak all the way through High School, receiving rewards of excellence for levels V and VI NYSSMA tests, participating in the high school orchestra, jazz band and chorus as pianist and giving solo performances at the end of every semester for the school.

Upon finishing high school, he left for Montreal for five years studying at McGill University and completing a B.A. in Music focusing primarily in music theory and history alongside various other arts courses, and a minor in French translation, all the while continuing to absorb music of all cultures and teaching himself the guitar. He now lives in Manhattan and is pursuing a career in producing music for visual media.

Expect a mix of technique, theory, ear training and development of principally classical repertoire.  Naturally, depending upon the level, maturity and age of the student, the curriculum will be different as will the results.  For beginners, ages three to four, within six months they learn the musical alphabet and will be able to recognize them on the keys of the keyboard; learn to distinguish and play quarter, half, dotted half and whole notes; gain a sense of where the high register and low register are located by ear; learn which is their right and left hand and gain dexterity and independence in their fingers; and finally start learning a few pieces (Old McDonald, Twinkle, Twinkle...)! 

For ages five to eight, they will have learned to read traditional notation, through sight reading and other practices; playing both hands together; composing little ditties; a beginning familiarity with improvising. 

Finally from eight to twelve, if they have been taking piano lessons early on, will start discovering the classical cannon, and keep on developing th skills they will have learned over time as well as further deepening of musical theory. 

All of this is of course dealt with by a mature, but very fun loving teacher who recognizes that each student learns differently and will always accomodate the lessons to their needs.

Mostly classical.

music theory, classical piano