David R

Hello there! My name's David and I'm here to share with you my joy of music. My life's been entirely a musical one; I learned to read music before I learned to read English! This is no coincidence, considering I come from a musical family. A Julliard graduate grandmother, a Vienna Boy's Choir great grandfather, a cousin making a living on the french horn, another cousin that was in the original lineup of Twisted Sister, and on it goes.

I learned the first steps on piano, picked up clarinet, then french horn and trumpet, switched to electric guitar and bass, had a four year fling with tuba, picked up didgeridoo along the way, and got some electronic music production chops. My primary instrument is electric bass.

Throughout grade school, I was in band. In high school, I was in marching band - two of my four years were as low brass section leader - as well as concert band, wind ensemble, jazz band, madrigals choir, show choir, and musical theater. Also, perfect score in the music theory AP test. No big deal.

Because I kept active and learned lots about music in high school, I was a shoe-in at Berklee. I worked with a lot of incredible people one on one and in small groups, broadened vastly my understanding and appreciation of music, and played in a lot of groups that have greatly increased my ability to name drop.

After I left Berklee, I moved back to New Jersey and joined a band, Lethal Affection, whose creative energy and executive backing all but necessitate an eventual rock scene ubiquity. I don't mean to brag! I just feel very certain about this.

I've taught beginner and intermediate levels in guitar, bass, piano, composition, and ensemble settings. As my first guitar instructor was not my favorite experience, it's worth mentioning they were nonetheless hugely informative in how I would like to teach music. As life is often a balancing act, so are music lessons between fun and rigor, freedom and structure.

In short, I think you should take music lessons from me. Chances are you're pretty great and can be even greater with the enrichment of music. I'm pretty great and love improving the lives of others and the world we share. Life's too short not to rock out. I hope to hear from you soon.