Lessons
Hello!
I teach piano and acoustic guitar to all ages. I've been teaching for 20+ years and love watching my students learn and master the universal language of music.
Piano
I'm classically trained on the piano and teach classical, pop, jazz and rock. I can take children as young as 4 years, as long as they know the alphabet up to the letter G and can count up to 10. I teach my students to read music and when they're at an intermediate level, I teach them chord construction and lead sheet playing if they express an interest. I teach all aspects of music theory and highly encourage children to begin music lessons on the piano before learning a wind or string instrument.
"Miss Debbie began teaching my daughter piano from when she was in pre-school through the present day - 6th grade. My daughter has developed a love for music and appreciation for the value of practice and commitment. Miss Debbie's patience and kindness has not waivered throughout these many years. She is a professional teacher with an uncanny ability to nurture music in all ages and abilities. My daughter has progressed from "Happy Birthday" to Nirvana songs and voluntarily and happily plays piano throughout the day. She is now a percussionist in the Middle School band and hopes to form a "garage band" with her friends. I cannot say enough positive things about Miss Debbie and highly recommend her."
Johanna
"Both my children started playing piano with Debbie when they were 6 and 4. Debbie is patient and caring. She truly understands children, takes the time to get to know them and is devoted to helping them grow as musicians who have a love and passion for music. Debbie adjusts her lessons based on both children's ages and attention spans. She was flexible and understanding as we navigated between in-person and virtual lessons during the COVID lockdown. Both my children have truly developed a love and passion for piano and music so much so that my oldest now takes flute lessons with Debbie and my youngest is begging to take guitar lessons. Our experience with Debbie over the last 3 years has been remarkable and we're looking forward to continuing for many years to come."
Tasha Kennedy
Guitar
I'm primarily a folk, light rock and worship music guitar player and those are the styles I teach. I teach acoustic guitar and if needed, can help a student transition to electric guitar after they've mastered guitar skills on the acoustic. Students need to be able to hold chord shapes on the fretboard without too much discomfort. In my years of experience, this is usually at age 8 and older. If a student is too young and doesn't have the finger strength to hold chord shapes, they can get discouraged and quit too soon. Waiting until their hands are strong enough usually guarantees success. They enjoy lessons and are much less likely to quit.
"I met Debbie when my son was 6 months old and we attended her toddler music class at the Gardiner Reformed Church. When my children became older, I sought Debbie out for individual lessons for them. My son, Josh, started guitar lessons when he was 8. He is now 15 and a guitar wiz! He enjoyed Debbie's ability to find what type of music motivated him in order to teach him guitar skills. Debbie was always very gentle and patient with my son as he was navigating his way.
My daughter, Ella, has been taking piano lessons since she was 8. Now at age 12 she is growing as a player and enjoys the time she spends with Debbie. She practices almost every day because she wants to!
On a personal note, Debbie has been consistently kind and supportive during some difficult health and family emergencies over the last two years. She always manages to check in on my children’s emotional wellness and she's a great support to them in more ways than music. We've been blessed to have Debbie in our life for the last 15 years in a musical and spiritual way."
Amy Carr
3 One-Hour Lesson Worship Guitar Package
If you can put in the practice time in between lessons, I can teach you the basic chords and strums you'll need to play almost any worship or Christmas song. In just 3 lessons! $55 each lesson (this is 20% off my normal hour rate of $70.
Lessons are one hour long, 3 weeks in a row.
Practice Requirements
- At least 4 times each week
- 20-30 minutes each time
Are You a Good Fit for This Package?
You need to be
- 10 years or older
- Physically able to play guitar
- Familiar with Christian worship songs
What I Supply
- Lyric sheets with chords above the words
- Written instructions on strum patterns
- Diagrams on how to correctly hold your guitar and flat-pick
- Chord charts
- Lessons are in my living room. It’s a comfortable environment, free of distractions. I have a dog who will be in a different room (in case you’re allergic).
What You Supply
- A guitar with a soft or hard case. I can teach you on acoustic or electric. If you need to purchase a guitar, consult with me first so I can help you buy the right one for you
- The strings on your guitar should be playable, not old and rusty. Strings can be steel or nylon.
- A flat-pick. I prefer medium gauge but we can use whatever you have.
- An empty 3 ring binder for the lyric sheets (minimum one inch spine).
- A way to write down assignments, for example: a spiral notebook, a writing pad or your phone.
3 One-Hour Lesson Package Payment Options
- You can pay $55 per lesson or pay for the package $165 at the first lesson
- I accept cash, Venmo, credit/debit cards
- Whether you pay per lesson or for all 3 lessons at once, payment is due at the first lesson
- 3.6% processing fee on credit/debit cards
Email Debbie to Sign Up or Ask a Question
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Weekly Lessons / Not a Package
I teach in my home in New Paltz, NY.
For young children, parents need to accompany students to each lesson until the student is capable of understanding the music concepts and assignments.
Practice Requirements
Students are required to practice a minimum of 4 times each week except for vacation weeks. Practice times vary depending on what level they are at. Beginners; at least 15 minutes / Intermediate; at least 30 minutes / Advanced; 45-60 minutes.
"Debbie Gulino has provided music instruction for my two children, Ryan and Laura, for the past 12 years. Ryan started playing the piano at the age of 6 and Laura was just 4 years old. Currently, 18 and 16, Ryan and Laura both play the piano several times a week, if not daily. Laura also takes flute lessons for several years now with Debbie. We are thrilled that our children have always flourished in their music activities, such as band, orchestra, choir and now playing in private bands with friends.
Debbie or “Miss Debbie“, as she is often called, is the ultimate professional music teacher and instills positive energy and values in her students while she does what she loves to do, teach music. She supports positive growth and development in our children and is a positive role model for her students. She always maintains a great rapport with my children. We are so grateful to have her and always look forward to the time Ryan and Laura spend with her learning and expanding their music potential.
I highly recommend Debbie Gulino as your child’s music teacher. Also, I would be happy to speak with anyone if I can provide more feedback. I can easily be reached on my mobile phone at 845-220-8968."
Doug Hovey
Rates & Payment
One hour: $70
45 minutes: $55
30 minutes: $40 (piano only)
I accept cash and use Venmo & Zelle. Payment is due at the lesson time each week. Parents can also pay for the entire month at the beginning of each month.
Rescheduling & Cancellation
I require 24 hours in advance of the lesson day for rescheduling or canceling to avoid being charged for the lesson. This includes illness or unexpected changes in a student's schedule. When weather prevents driving, I require families to be prepared for a virtual lesson. I will email a Zoom link and you won't need to have the Zoom app to use the link.
"We first met Debbie Gulino when our twins were in preschool. Debbie came to their class once a week to share music with the children and, with great care and understanding, she helped all of the children learn to love singing and making music. Soon after our children completed preschool, we pursued music lessons with Debbie. Specifically, piano lessons.
Debbie suggested that we start with shorter, age-appropriate piano lessons for each of my kindergarteners. For 5 year olds, even short lessons were at times a stretch, but with Debbie guiding them, my children’s love for music really blossomed. As time passed and their excitement grew, lessons became longer, more intense and focused. Eventually, they both started learning a second instrument with Debbie – the flute for one and guitar for the other – and Debbie began teaching them music theory.
Debbie’s passion for music and the joy that music brings her had a lasting effect on my children. Our twins are in college now - one majoring in music production and composition and one an integral part of her university’s music ensembles. We also have a third child who started on piano with Debbie as a kindergartener and now, in addition to her continued piano playing, performs on the violin with a local youth orchestra.
After a combined 22 years of music lessons with Debbie Gulino, my children are always thinking about their first music teacher and how she impacted their lives. Debbie laid a strong musical foundation for each of my children and helped them become the wonderful musicians they are today."
Janine & Marty Brutvan
Contact
Feel free to email me with any questions at: debbiegulino@gmail.com
Or use the contact page on this website.
"I had the privilege of having 2 of my boys take music lessons with Debbie Gulino. They started at a young age. One studied guitar and the other one the piano. My boys enjoyed their lessons with Debbie because she made them enjoyable and had a lot of patience with them. They learned quickly and proceeded to make music part of their curriculum during their entire education. Because of Debbie's passion for music and her great personality, I highly recommend her to work with children who are interested in learning how to play an instrument."
Anthony Barrese