Jazz piano · Theory · Improvisation
Find your sound at the piano.
Private jazz piano lessons for kids and adults, in person in Gowanus, Brooklyn, or online with personal video feedback on your playing.
What you’ll learn
01
Jazz piano
Chord symbols and voicings, understanding a song’s form, accompanying other musicians, and the standards repertoire: the practical skills to play tunes with confidence, alone or with a band.
02
Music theory
Learn the rules so that you can break them intentionally—from scales and triads to advanced rhythmic concepts and extended harmonic tensions.
03
Improvisation
You’ll start improvising from your very first lesson. From there, we’ll build toward the language of jazz legends like Charlie Parker, McCoy Tyner, and Chick Corea: how they pushed improvisation forward, how they shaped their phrases, and how to put those ideas to work in your own playing.
For kids
A playing-first introduction to jazz and theory, with steady weekly lessons that keep practice on track.
For adults
Whether you’re just starting out, digging into jazz after years of playing, or already far along on your jazz education, lessons shaped around your goals and schedule.
Lesson Formats
In person · Gowanus, Brooklyn
In-person private lessons
One-on-one lessons in my home studio. Choose weekly lessons for steady progress, or every other week if that fits your life better.
- 60-minute lessons, weekly or every other week for students of all ages
- 30-minute lessons for students 14 and under
- Evening and weekend times
Online · anywhere
Video feedback lessons
Work through lesson material at your own pace each week, record yourself playing, and get a personal video reply with detailed feedback and your next assignment.
- 11 feedback lessons per 13-week term
- Two flex weeks each term for travel or a busy week
- Terms begin in January, April, July, and October
- About 30 minutes of personal feedback per lesson
About Alex
I started taking private jazz piano lessons at the age of five and haven’t stopped learning and playing since. Prior to college, I studied privately with the renowned jazz educator Charlie Banacos. His method of teaching, which focused on building each student’s musical fluency through a deeply individualized lesson plan, has greatly influenced how I approach learning and practice. Every musician is different, and drawing out what’s unique in each player is how they develop their own voice.
I earned a BFA in Jazz Performance from The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York City, studying privately with pianists Andy Milne, Kirk Nurock, and LeeAnn Ledgerwood. Since then I’ve played in and led groups at New York rooms including Smalls, Fat Cat, Cornelia Street Cafe, Joe’s Pub, Barbès, Bowery Poetry Club, and Zebulon. I have also performed across the U.S. and abroad.
My lessons focus on jazz piano, music theory, and improvisation, for kids and adults at any stage.
Studied with
Charlie Banacos, Andy Milne, Kirk Nurock, LeeAnn Ledgerwood
Trained at
The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, BFA in Jazz Performance
Played at
Smalls, Fat Cat, Joe’s Pub, Barbès, Zebulon, and venues across the U.S. and abroad
Hear me play
At the piano
Rates
Online terms begin in January, April, July, and October, and are billed at the start of each term.
Getting started
-
Step 1
Contact me
Tell me a little about your playing, what you want to learn, and whether you’d like lessons in person or online.
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Step 2
Have your first lesson
We’ll meet (in person or virtually) and spend some time at the piano so I can learn more about your current level of play, talk through your goals, and map out what working together would look like.
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Step 3
Settle into a schedule
Determine a cadence for lessons, or join the next online term.
Get in touch
Send a note and I’ll get back to you about times and next steps.
Email alex@ahills.com
In-person lessons are in Gowanus, Brooklyn. The address is shared when you book.