As an educator:
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 over 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 at 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, Regina Carter, 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 methods, 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 winning awards in the National YoungArts Jazz Competition and Downbeat Student Awards, to name a few.
Private virtual teaching rates for all lessons are as follows:
30 min lesson - $60.00
45 min lesson - $75.00
60 min lesson - $90.00
Please inquire about rates for special lesson packages, clinics and workshops.
Please contact bensutinmusic@gmail.com to set up your FREE 30 minute trial/consultation lesson!
What students are saying:
“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!”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”