Welcome to the Educators Directory! Please contact teachers directly for lessons scheduling. All those listed work independently and offer their own private studio spaces in person &/or online, and through our Muzie.Live dedicated online portals. General information and referrals may be requested via Musiconnections. Contact Musiconnections Contact.
I was a music teacher in the NYC school system for 10 years, where I taught chorus, recorder and string ensembles. I also taught History of Jazz and World Music for Empire State College for 10 years; In schools, I have taught both elementary and college level. Individual lessons were mostly adult. At this point in my life, my focus is to work with Voice and Expression. I use different methods, including voice work from Berklee and breathing work from Core Energetics. I have often said, “Music is the place where I can have all my feelings.” And I love living there! I recently released a CD, called In a Midnight Wind. You can hear it on Youtube.
Music Education/Training
4 years of Graduate School at SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music, MA Jazz Performance and MA Composition
Current Teaching Studio or Space
online during pandemic
Teaching Experience: Gave private lessons for 15 years, also group lessons for adults on keyboard. Preferred Student Learning Level(s) Beginner and Intermediate Current Teaching Studio or Space: Have been teaching from my home until Covid19 — now teaching virtually. Location is Sarasota, Florida. Music Education/Training: 7 years private lessons on piano, 2 yrs vocal.
Born in the little town of Janesville, Wisconsin. My mother was a professional musician, so I grew up listening to Chopin, Bach, Mozart, etc. I would fall asleep listening to my mother practicing “Claire de Lune, by Debussy. My love for music has been a blessing through the years and I am happy to be able to share it with others. For years working at Nursing Homes, I gave keyboard concerts for the residents with popular songs from their day. I was able to continue putting on programs at nursing homes until Covid19 and lockdowns put an end to this outlet. I especially love teaching beginners, from age 4 to 84! Music is therapeutic in these troubled times we live in. I am retired, but still enjoy teaching and at this time I have 2 students, one 4 yr. old in Japan, and a 10 yr. old here in Sarasota.
Hello! I’m so happy to meet you and share a bit about my teaching and love of music. I enjoy working with students of all ages and abilities; it’s always a great time to pursue music education! I especially have a passion for classical, contemporary, and jazz styles, while offering a wide range of rhythm, sight reading, and improvisation to the mix. I work with students of all ages and levels, and love incorporating fun games and activities into lessons.
My forte as a piano teacher for over 20 years is in the use of a variety of methods to individually tailor student experience and growth. From Suzuki piano at the age of three, to high school students preparing for a music major in college, and adults learning to sight read favorite arrangements, I have helped numerous students further many musical education pursuits. In addition, I have taught voice to choral, solo, and musical performance students as a choral instructor and Musicals Vocal Director (Fiddler on the Roof, Guys & Dolls) in Palm Beach County, Florida, and voice, rhythm, drum, and recorder in the public schools of Sarasota and Pineview School for the Gifted.
For those who enjoy church music I have an extensive knowledge of hymns and worship music, having served as a chapel organist and choral accompanist for several years very early in my music career. One of my favorite learning experiences was in playing a full pipe organ for two years nearly every Sunday on an instrument with three keyboards and a full array of foot pedals, all at once! If you’d like to test your passion on the organ, it can be arranged.
My own music education includes a bachelors degree in business management from Nova Southeastern University, and studies for a Bachelors of Music and Secondary Education at both Florida Atlantic University and Brigham Young University. I have participated with various choral groups, and have extensive experience as a pianist in solo, ensemble, and accompaniment.
As a member of the Music Teacher’s National Association, I have been able to sponsor students in both piano and choral competitions. Numerous opportunities are available for participation in student recitals, recording and performance through affiliations with the National Association for Music Education, the International Society for Music Education, the Florida State Music Teachers Association, and the Sarasota Music Teachers Association.
I teach on Steinway & Sons pianos when in the studio at Pritchard’s Pianos in Sarasota, Florida, and on my Kawaii baby grand piano when teaching from my home. Especially exciting is the ability to be offering online lesson options, as these provide added opportunities for my students to study from anywhere in the world, and enjoy consistent progress in music theory, rhythm and sight reading practice. My little kitty likes it too; she gets to meet and greet new friends and sit by listening to some of her favorite tunes.
Contact me for additional information regarding calendar availability and tuition, to schedule a Zoom meeting or a phone consultation. Looking forward to sharing musical journeys with you!
18+ years of experiences teaching private and group lessons
Preferred Student Learning Level(s)
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Professional
Current Teaching Studio or Space
From my home or from another conservartory I teach from
Music Education/Training
Masters in Music by Berklee College of Music
Biography
Hailing from Santos, Brazil, Rafael Silva, otherwise known as “Rufus,” began his musical studies at an early age. At fifteen he taught himself a number of woodwind instruments as well as several rhythm section instruments. He studied at Souza Lima College in Sao Paulo City, having played and studied with a number of renowned Brazilian musicians.In 2007 he was rewarded an 80% scholarship to study at the Berklee School of Music in Boston. Having two bachelors and a masters in music, he pursued a minor in the culinary arts and one in astronomy. Established in the northeastern part of the country, preforming with illustrious American jazz players such as Greg Osby, Benny Golson, Terry Lynn, George Garzone to name a few, venues such as the Blue Note Jazz Club and the Jazz Standard in NYC. Leading tours in Brazil, Peru and the US.
Ruffus has been teaching music for 18 years now, saxophone, clarinet, flute, piano, bass, guitar, harmonica, music theory and electronic production.
