TEACHING

Benjamin's student, Conor performing Have You Met Miss Jones at his 2022 spring recital, Michiko Studios, NYC

“Ben is one of the most important jazz string educators in the field today. His students receive customized, caring attention regarding the skill set of jazz improvisation, as well as supportive pedagogy regarding their string technique. His students win national jazz competitions and are populating jazz conservatory programs...You just can’t get better than that!”

- Judith Insell (Artistic Director, Bronx Arts Ensemble
Improvising Violist, “Jump Off This Bridge”)

Music education has always been a passionate and integral part of Benjamin's life, growing up with a family owned music school, understanding first-hand the importance of music education from an early age. He has been teaching private and group violin, viola and piano students of all levels and ages for close to ten years now and specializes in his own unique teaching methods, individually crafted to best fit each student, while always focusing on tone production, intonation, phrasing and articulation, music theory, and fun and creative problem solving regarding technical advancement. In addition to his private teaching studio, Sutin also currently teaches jazz violin, theory, ear training, improvisation and jazz combos in Manhattan School of Music's Pre-College program.

While most known and sought for his jazz string teaching, Benjamin also offers lessons for beginning to intermediate classical violin, viola and piano students.

Jazz string instruction, inspired by his studies with the likes of John Blake Jr, Christian Howes, Rob Thomas and Sara Caswell, include comprehensive approaches to groove based bowing, adapting the language of bebop to the violin, mastering the fingerboard through his very own scale method, crafting creative and melodic improvisations steeped in the rich vocabulary and history of jazz, and an intensive on music theory and harmony. All students are encouraged to discover their own unique voice and talents!

Every lesson, regardless of style, level or instrument, is catered to the specific and unique needs, goals, aspirations and personalities of each individual student, creating a challenging yet positive and encouraging learning environment for all students. Nothing is more rewarding than seeing the weekly progress, growth and joy emanating from his students. Student success includes admission into NYU, Manhattan School of Music, New England Conservatory, LaGuardia High School, Special Music School, NYSSMA, High School Jazz Academy, ISO and winners of the National YoungArts Jazz competition.

Private virtual teaching rates for all violin lessons (including jazz) are as follows:

30 min lesson - $50.00

45 min lesson - $65.00

60 min lesson - $80.00

90 min lesson - $100.00

Private virtual teaching rates for piano, theory, or composition lessons are as follows:

30 min lesson - $40.00

45 min lesson - $50.00

60 min lesson - $60.00

Please inquire about rates for special lesson packages, clinics and workshops.

If a lesson needs to be rescheduled in advance of your scheduled time, please contact me directly at your earliest convenience to ensure ease in scheduling and availability. If however, you need to cancel a lesson, please do so with at least 24 hours notice. If a lesson is cancelled with less than 24 hours notice, (barring any last minute illnesses or emergencies), please note that a rescheduling fee of $15 will be added to your following payment. Furthermore, if absence is not communicated and I arrive to an empty Virtual Meeting, that lesson is expected to still be payed for in full. As teacher, I will hold myself accountable to the same standards of courtesy. In the event of sickness from either party, lessons can still be taught remotely (via Skype, Zoom or FaceTime) if desired. Payments are due at the end of each month of lessons via PayPal, Venmo or Zelle.

Please contact me at bensutinmusic@gmail.com to set up your FREE 45 minute trial/consultation lesson!

"Benjamin Sutin has been one of the most influential musical figures in my life. A dependable mentor who left me inspired after every lesson, he gave me the facilities to navigate a world that sets us (violinists) up for failure. He taught me theory, language, repertoire, and more challenging things like time (management), melodic organization, and much more."

- Jonah Kreitner (Pursuing a BM in Jazz Violin Performance at New England Conservatory)

"I was blessed to be one of Ben's students. As a teacher, he worried about each of his students. Ben was very supportive, caring, and used our time during the lesson wisely. Learning from Ben was always encouraging and inspirational. He was flexible when it came to preparing me for a last minute occasion when I had to play ten Christmas songs at my school holiday show. In addition to the end-of-semester recitals, Ben prepared me for my middle school graduation performance, and auditions for summer string camp and orchestra. Finally, he was so determined and faithful in getting me into one of my dream high schools, Laguardia, in which I did. I can't thank him enough for everything. If you are looking to seriously play, then Ben is your best option as a private violin teacher."

- Sophie Kuliyeva

"My daughter has made magnificent progress with Ben. She describes his approach as “like a doctor” he fixes all her issues. Her concept and understanding of the jazz violin vernacular has grown exponentially in a matter of a few months."

- Rob Block, Jazz musician / educator

"When I decided that I really wanted to pursue Jazz music on the violin I was fortunate enough to meet Ben Sutin. Not only is he a great teacher and player, but he is a humble and kind human being. I've studied with Ben for many years and over the course of that time I have learned so much that I can actually apply to college fully confident that I can get a degree as a legitimate jazz musician even though I play the violin."

–Ben Rubie (Studying jazz violin at NYU and has won runner-up and merit jazz awards from National YoungArts Foundation)

TEACHING

Benjamin's student, Conor performing Have You Met Miss Jones at his 2022 spring recital, Michiko Studios, NYC

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- Sophie Kuliyeva

"My daughter has made magnificent progress with Ben. She describes his approach as “like a doctor” he fixes all her issues. Her concept and understanding of the jazz violin vernacular has grown exponentially in a matter of a few months." ​ - Rob Block, Jazz musician / educator

"My daughter has made magnificent progress with Ben. She describes his approach as “like a doctor” he fixes all her issues. Her concept and understanding of the jazz violin vernacular has grown exponentially in a matter of a few months."

- Rob Block, Jazz musician / educator