Meet Lena.

Lena grew up in Columbus, Ohio and has a BM in Vocal Performance and a BME in Music Education from Ohio State University, as well as an MM in Vocal Performance from Brooklyn College. She started playing piano at 9 years old. “ I was obsessed with learning to play! I was always jealous of classmates who could.” 🎹

In addition to her time at BMF, Lena is a working musician on the scene! Her coolest gig? Performing at the Opera House in Oslo, Norway. When not playing music, you can find Lena learning different languages... “I'm a language geek it's terrible”. When asked about any fun facts she’d like to share, Lena says, “I got to play a man onstage last year. Like a grown man. Not a kid or anything. I'll find a pic. I look exactly like my brothers in it…!”

Most importantly, Lena has some advice for all BMF students: “Don't second-guess yourself, whether it's in your musical interpretation, or playing Wait A Second!” 💕

Want to learn with Lena in the fall? Book a trial lesson with Lena today! Lena teaches piano, voice and MiniKeys.

See Lena in action...

(These are both voice related, but you get to see what an awesome teacher Lena is!!)

Meet Kai.

Kai was born in Cedar Rapids, IA but grew up in Blair, NE. IN. He has a BA in K-12 Music Education from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and an Associates in Contemporary Writing and Production from Berklee College of Music. As a child, music wasn’t difficult for Kai to find - It ran in the family!  “The first time I remember playing music was when I would attend my Uncle Jim’s children’s music shows. He goes by “Mister Jim”! I started really getting into music when I joined choir, and found the trumpet in 5th grade. However, my love for performing music came from playing in my High School garage band “Those Guys”. We covered all the early 2000 alt-pop/punk hits. Just best friends playing music together and we got the attention of the whole town (of 8,000 people…)” 

Kai’s coolest gig? “I’m a member of the psyche/rock band Evolfo. Honestly I find everytime we play to be so cool but recently, we shared a bill with Steve Earle and the Dukes. It was at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco and Steve was celebrating the 30th anniversary of Copperhead Road (great record!). Great town, amazing music, and a sold out show.”

When Kai isn’t playing music, you might find him exploring the great outdoors! “Any opportunity to fish, swim, or run around outside - that’s where you’ll find me.” Kai is also a self-proclaimed Star Wars Mega-Fan.

Most importantly, Kai would like to offer one piece of advice to his students: “Do everything you can to retain your voice. That was some advice that came to me a little too late. Don’t worry about what anybody thinks and speak from your heart. Translate that energy and passion into what you have to say musically and you’ll never go wrong.”  

Book a trial lesson with Kai today! Kai teaches beginner piano and MiniKeys.

Meet Jason.

Jason grew up in Bluefield, Virginia, a small town in the Appalachian Mountains. He attended the University of Virginia and majored in English with a minor in theatre, stating, “I always knew I wanted to teach, and even hoped to be a drama teacher. This is why I love the story and game based curriculum of Brooklyn Music Factory so much!”
 

Jason grew up around music. “On weekends we would go to my grandparents house. My Pa-Paw played the banjo, my uncle who played the guitar and sang, and my Ma-Maw and dad would dance on the porch. Getting that regular intimate experience of live music made me always want to learn how to play. Plus I would sing and dance at home and pretend to be Michael Jackson as much as possible.” 

As a child, Jason took piano and guitar lessons but neither stuck. It wasn’t until he learned the spoons at 25 and began jamming with friends that he began to take a real interest in playing music. As an adult, Jason returned to the mountaintop to live with his Ma-Maw & Pa-Paw and focus on learning the fiddle and Banjo. Eventually, he moved to New York, started a weekly jam with some friends, and met Nate Shaw while walking around Brooklyn playing his banjo! 

Jason’s coolest gig? “Once I visited a Zen monastery in California for a number of weeks.  They decided to hold an informal talent sharing for all the Zen students there, and it just so happened that Joan Baez was there to unwind & relax before heading out on her tour. They asked her if she would perform a few songs in the sharing and she said yes, so they put her right smack dab in the middle of the set of 20 Zen students.  I happened to be #10 on the list so after I played a couple of songs on spoons & harmonica, she went on right after me.  Technically you could say I opened for Joan Baez ;-)”

Most importantly, Jason would like to offer one piece of advice to his students: “Inspiration is precious and shouldn’t be taken for granted. So when you feel excited by something in music - a song, a beat, a chord progression, even a note - follow that and see where it takes you.”

Book a trial lesson with Jason today! Jason teaches beginner piano, Club Keyboard and Jam Band 101.

Meet Ben.

Ben grew up in St. Paul, MA and has a M.F.A in Jazz Piano Performance from The New School for Jazz. Music has always been a part of Ben’s life: “Both my parents play piano and I started taking lessons at age 3. Over the years I had a number of teachers who helped to instill the joy of making music. One of them, who I met around age 12 to begin studying jazz, was Nate Shaw. Much of what I do today can be traced back to my parents discovering Nate’s business card on the bulletin board of a coffee shop across the street from my junior high in St. Paul, Minnesota. I took private lessons with Nate and participated in a few summer jazz camps organized by a local band he played in called the Motion Poets. Those experiences inspired me to pursue a degree in music, which eventually led me to The New School for Jazz and later to work for Nate as he founded Brooklyn Music Factory.” 

Ben gets to share that inspiration with his students during Club Keyboard classes. “We love being able to see students every day and really build a relationship with them and camaraderie in the group. Since we play a lot of games and act out the storyline together the classes are so much fun it doesn’t feel like “practice,” but they really do learn a lot in a short period.”

Ben would like to offer one piece of advice to his students: “Never stop learning, exploring, studying, striving and creating. Always have a teacher, coach or mentor. Whatever your interests are, wherever they take you, seek out others who inspire you and develop relationships with them.”

Book a trial lesson with Ben today!

Meet Benny.

Benny grew up in South Hadley, MA and has a BFA in Jazz performance from New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. He started playing music at 6 years old. “My dad is a singer and blues harmonica player, my grandfather was a guitar player, my uncle is a drummer, and my brother is violinist. We would play music together at my grandfather’s house and I would sit on my uncle’s lap while he played drums.”

Aside from music, Benny has a passion for Environmental Activism, Collaging, Climbing Trees, Hiking, Biking, and Eating. Anything else that he’d like to share with the BMF community? “I capsized in a canoe last week and lost my Crocs.”

Most importantly, Benny would like to offer one piece of advice to his students: “Give yourself permission to make mistakes.” 

Book a trial lesson with Benny today! Benny teaches beginner piano, beginner drums and MiniKeys.

Meet Greg.

Greg grew up in Yorktown Heights, NY and has a degree in Studio Production and Composition from SUNY Purchase. He started playing music when he was 12 years old. ”I was born and raised on MTV. My dad got me into 80s alternative at a very young age. Bands like The Replacements, The Smiths, Husker Du…”

Aside from music, Greg has a passion for biking. Anything else that he’d like to share with the BMF community? “ I LOVE cheesy reality TV.... it’s my one vice…”

Most importantly, Greg would like to offer one piece of advice to his students: “My advice is to listen, learn, and play with your peers. Keep creating and never stop.” 🎵 ❤️

Want to learn with Greg in the fall? Book a trial lesson with Greg today!

Meet Kaitlin.

Kaitlin grew up in Miami, FL and has a degree in Music Therapy from Berklee College of Music. With this degree, she was able to work for a year doing music therapy at Mount Sinai with patients in chemo/radiation and in rehab. Kaitlin got her start playing music at a very young age, stating “I’ve Always sang and played. My mom was a jazz singer and my dad a jazz pianist. I practically grew up in the theater.”

When she’s not teaching, Kaitlin can be found writing music for her band Pinkie Promise, a local Brooklyn band (currently working on their second album! Keep those eyes peeled…) Kaitlin's inspirations? “I'm REALLY inspired by the local rock bands in Brooklyn right now but always find myself coming back to classics like Joni Mitchell, Nina Simone, Neil Young, Black Sabbath, and Fiona Apple.”

Most importantly, Kaitlin would like to offer one piece of advice to her students: “Let yourself be obsessed! If you love a song, love it loudly and learn it! If you follow the thread of interest you'll never get bored. :)”

Want to learn with Kaitlin in the fall? Book a trial lesson with Kaitlin today! Kaitlin teaches guitar, voice, beginner piano, and advanced bands.

(She's also our Director of Advanced Bands at BMF!)

Meet Sergio.

Sergio grew up in the South Bronx and has a bachelor’s degree in Composition and Guitar Performance from Florida State University. He started playing music at 14 years old. “ My sister was at a party and was randomly given a nylon string guitar that only had 4 strings. She came home with it and said I could have it. That night changed my life.” 🎸

Sergio’s coolest gig? “I played a protest show at Foley Square in the city. We went up right after Mayor Bloomberg spoke. Linda Sarsour, one of the organizers of the women’s march, introduced us on stage. Still the highlight of my musical career.” He cites Prince as a huge influence on him and his playing. 

Aside from music, Sergio has a passion for comics and even makes some of his own! “When I’m bored at home I create different stories and then draw them out.” ✏️

Most importantly, Sergio has an important piece of advice for his students: “Love your instrument the way you love ice cream. Both are extremely sad when you drop them.” 🍦 😂

Want to learn with Sergio in the fall? Book a trial lesson with Sergio today! Sergio teaches guitar, bass and Jam Band 101.

Meet Christina.

Christina grew up in Houston, Texas and has a BM in Voice from the University of Oklahoma, as well as a master’s degree in Voice from the Conservatory at Brooklyn College. She started playing piano at 10 years old, and began taking voice lessons at 15. Her coolest gig? “I sang live and performed an aerial silks act with a band. Learning how to train my body and instrument for this was a fun challenge to tackle!” 😱

When she’s not playing music, you can find Christina in the air or upside down training for more circus acts! Anything else that she’d like to share with the BMF community? “I collect pink elephants, which is how I got my stage name Elee Pink.” 💕🐘

Most importantly, Christina would like to offer one piece of advice to her students: “Music isn’t about performing, it’s about sharing.” 🎶

Want to learn with Christina in the fall? Book a trial lesson with Christina today!

Meet Davis.

Davis grew up in Annapolis, Maryland and has a degree in Drum Set Performance from Berklee College of Music. Believe it or not, Davis began his musical journey on piano at a young age. “My parents made me. When I was 9, I found a drum set in my neighbors attic while we were looking for legos. That’s when the real magic started to happen.” 

Davis’s coolest gig? “I’ve toured around the world with actor turned musician, David Duchovny (yes, the dude from the x-files.) Last spring we played a show in Moscow and I played a drum groove while 3,000 Russians sang some famous Russian song. It was very strange and very cool.” 

When he’s not playing the drums, you might find Davis taking care of his physical and mental health with activities such as rock climbing and running. Anything else he’d like to share with the BMF community? “I found a dead bird inside of my very first bass drum.” 

Most importantly, Davis would like to offer one piece of advice to his students: “Never stop exploring.” 

Want to learn with Davis in the fall? Book a trial lesson with Davis today!

MiniKeys (Ages 4-5)

Let's Explore Music Together!

Class Length: 30 minute weekly class + weekly 10 minute check-in with teacher

Class Description:

• Play fun rhythm & melody games!
• Play a BLAM game (Big Lesson About Music!) each class
• Write a song together as a team
• Grow basic instrument technique, ability to play music with others, and overall musical fluency. 

Fall 2020 Class Schedule:

• Monday 3:30pm
• Tuesday 3:30pm
• Wednesday 3:30pm
• Thursday 3:30pm
• Friday 3:30pm
• Saturday 10:00am and 11:00am

Jam Band (Ages 6-8)

Jam Band 101 is a fun, collaborative class where kids ages 6-8 develop beginning music fluencies by playing games and writing songs together with their band.

Class Length: 45 minute weekly group class, plus a weekly 30 minute group lesson on either guitar, drums, piano or voice

Class Description:

• Perfect for beginners, or kids with 1-2 years of lessons
• Explore and learn about all of the bandstand instruments - piano, guitar, drums, bass, and your voice!
• Learn essential music fundamentals
• Fun songwriting with your band
• Lots of teamwork, lots of fun!
• Included! Once a week, join a 30 minute group class for instruction on the instrument of your choice. Guitar, drums, piano or voice.

Class Schedule:

• Monday 4:00pm
• Tuesday 3:30pm
• Wednesday 3:30pm
• Thursday 3:30pm
• Friday 3:30pm and 4:30pm
• Saturday 10:00am

Club Keyboard (Ages 6-8)

Take a world tour of the piano!

Class Length: 45 minute weekly group piano class

Class Description:

• Beginners welcome!
• More than just a piano lesson (And nothing like the piano lessons you took as a kid!)
• Take a world tour of music and culture--guided by our one-of-a-kind piano book
• Solve fun puzzles and challenges with music!
• Learn the layout of the keyboard, how to play in an ensemble, how to read music, songwriting and more!
• This is a weekly class

Class Schedule:

• Monday 3:30pm
• Tuesday 3:30pm and 4:30pm
• Wednesday 3:30pm
• Thursday 3:30pm and 4:30pm
• Friday 3:30pm
• Saturday 11:00am

Rock Write Record/GirlPop Bands (Ages 9-12+)

Rock, Write and Record and GirlPop bands give kids the unique opportunity to learn how to write and play music with others in a band setting. Through warm-up activities, BLAM games, speed songwriting sessions, and bandstand work, this class is for students who want to explore the fundamentals of what it takes to create and play in a band. In addition, RWR students have the opportunity to record their original song. (GirlPop bands are for girls only!)

Class Length: 45 minute weekly group class, plus a weekly 30 minute group lesson on either guitar, drums, piano or voice

Class Description:

• Learn how to write and play music with others in a band setting
• Play drum circle games and BLAM games (Big Lesson About Music!) each class
• Learn essential songwriting tools and build creative habits
• Record your original song with your band!
• Included! Once a week, join a 30 minute group class for instruction on the instrument of your choice (guitar, drums, piano or voice) OR a 30 minute Advanced Workshop on subjects like recording, songwriting and more (for students also enrolled in private lessons only).

Fall 2020 Schedule

Rock Write Record I

• Monday 4:00pm and 5:30pm
• Tuesday 4:00pm and 5:30pm
• Thursday 5:00pm
• Friday 4:00pm

GirlPop I

• Please inquire about availability!

Advanced Bands (Ages 10-12+/Teens)

Rock Write & Record II and GirlPop II are our most advanced band offerings. Bands write multiple songs together, diving deep into lyric writing, harmony and the finer points of performing and creating as an ensemble. Bands work towards greater and greater autonomy in their songwriting as they build the essential toolbox they need to confidently create on their own.  

Class Length: 60 minute weekly group class

Class Description:

• Learn how to write and play music with others in a band setting
• Level up ear training and musical language with BLAM games (Big Lesson About Music!) each class
• Learn and grow essential songwriting tools and build creative habits
• Record your original song with your band!
• Included! Once a week, join a 30 minute group class for instruction on the instrument of your choice (guitar, drums, piano or voice) OR a 30 minute Advanced Workshop on subjects like recording, songwriting and more (for students also enrolled in private lessons only).

Fall 2020 Schedule

Rock Write Record II

• Friday 5:30pm

GirlPop II

• Tuesday 5:30pm
• Wednesday 5:30pm