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Instruction in woodwind instruments include: Clarinet, Flute, Recorder, and Saxophone led by Mr. Jon Thompson. He provides basic instruction including learning to read music, scales, and theory. As each student progresses Jon will provide guitar or piano accompaniment.

Jonathan Thompson (2007) graduated magna cum laude with a BA in Music from Temple University, PA. He has recently worked as a private music instructor specializing in teaching adolescents and young adults saxophone, flute, clarinet, guitar and beginner piano. He also has experience teaching music at the Musical Arts Academy in Bucks County, PA and Westminster Conservatory in Princeton, NJ. Jonathan was a 2005 American Composers Forum Grant Recipient.

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Mr. Alex Mitnick teaches guitar lessons in a group setting. Up to five students, of comparable abilities, meet and learn the basic skills required to play guitar. This includes reading notated music, guitar tablature, and learning to improvise using scales and patterns. As students progress they will learn their favorite popular songs in addition to standard folk songs. A year of instruction will culminate with a performance for classmates and teachers during the last School Spirit Day of the year.

Alexander (Alex) Mitnick (2000) graduated with honors with a BA in Jazz Guitar from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA. He has created numerous original school musicals with the Elementary and Middle School students. Each year Alex writes and composes a song in keeping with the School theme. His music focuses on self-awareness and an appreciation of the world around us. He has produced two CD’s called Kaleidoscope Songs I and II. He belongs to a variety of musical groups that perform for audiences in NJ, NY, and PA. He presents to schools and teachers, and is an instructor for the Princeton Teacher Education (PCTE), NJ.

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Ms. Rimma Skvortsova teaches piano using a traditional method based on the idea that every child has musical potential. All children are able to learn and express themselves musically. Lessons are designed around the individual child’s readiness. Children begin by learning basic skills including proper sitting and hand positioning. They begin by practicing singing notes and doing rhythmical exercises to prepare them to read music. As the child progresses they work on learning scales, music theory, and performance skills. Each child participates in concerts and recitals twice a year. Intermediate students are offered a more varied selection of genres including classical, romantic, baroque, contemporary and even rock-n-roll.

Rimma Skvortsova (1999) received an MA in Music Pedagogy from Pedagogic University, Moscow and BA in Music and Chorus Conducting from the College of Music Art, Dnepropetrovsk, Russia. Ms. Skvortsova teaches at Westminster Conservatory. She has many years experience teaching piano, including classical, folk, and modern music. Rimma is skilled in preparing children’s recitals and performances.

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Ms. Toyoko Kitade teaches violin to children age 3 and up using the popular and effective Suzuki method. Dr. Suzuki taught that every child has the innate capacity to become a talented musician, in a process analogous to language acquisition. Good training during the critical period of cognitive development is all that is required for any child to become an excellent musician.  Students are mentored through the Suzuki repertoire in a weekly individual lesson. This lesson is attended by a parent (or caretaker) who will be taught enough basic music skills to help the beginning student practice at home.  Children also participate in weekly group lessons in which they practice starting and stopping together, playing in tempo, and performing solos for each other. Group games offer fun and creative ways to polish basic skills, and seeing other students playing more advanced pieces inspires children to practice more at home. For more information about the Suzuki Method and answers to frequently asked questions, please visit our Suzuki Violin FAQ.

Toyoko Kitade (2003) earned an MA from the New England Conservatory of Music, Boston and a BA from the Sakuyo College of Music, Japan. She has over 25 years of international experience as a Suzuki violin instructor, and was the Assistant Director of the Suzuki Institute of Boston. She completed her Suzuki instructor training with Mieko Moriya, Japan, and Donald Becker, Boston. She is also trained in the Kodály method of music instruction. Her professional performance experience has included a position as Principal 2nd Violin for the Fukuoka City Philharmonic, Japan, as well as serving as a violinist for the New Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo, and the New Philharmonic Orchestra, Boston.