We teach music in a way that inspires creativity and
self-confidence
(Without forcing anyone to practice!)
News & Events
Upcoming Events
Cold Spring Aglow - Sunday, December 8, 2024
28 Main St. Cold Spring, NY
3:00pm
With the Foundry Montessori students
What We Do
East Mountain Studios is a music lesson and production studio in Cold Spring, NY,
located in the beautiful Hudson Valley Region.
We teach kids and adults music in a creative way, centered around songwriting,
and focusing on building confidence while nurturing self-expression.
We offer in-person lessons for
ages 6 to adult on:
piano, guitar, ukulele, bass,
voice, banjo, and drums.
Virtual lessons available upon
request and interview.
Our Approach
We believe that everyone can learn to play music, and that music can be a powerful tool for self-expression and confidence building. Our approach to music lessons is creative and engaging, and we focus on helping our students develop their own unique musical voice, especially through songwriting,
while also learning how to play music with others.
We believe that music is a social activity,
and we encourage our students to perform and
collaborate with each other.
At East Mountain Studios, we nurture musicians of all levels toward a
lifetime of making and enjoying music.
We believe in an ears-first approach, focusing on hearing the music
and thinking critically before reading
and rote memorization.
We also teach our students to read and write music. Our new Fall 2023 curriculum focuses on
real world sight-reading (like Broadway players and other professional musicians would play),
including rhythms, melodies and chord changes, as well as ear training, musicality and technique.
When we follow the curiosity of the student, and when learning is joyful, playful and fun,
strong technique and musicianship follow.
Come play with us!
Our mission is to enable our students to
make music a lifelong source of joy.
Private Lessons
Looking for a fun and engaging way to learn to play music? We offer lessons for ages 6 and up + adults, in a variety of instruments, including piano, guitar, ukulele, bass, voice, banjo, and drums.
Available in-person or virtually,
30 or 45-minute lessons.
Song Club
Song Club is a monthly music video lesson series where kids can learn AND write a new song each month!
Available for piano, ukulele and guitar. A great supplement to private lessons, or a low-cost music education option.
Coming soon!
Beginner Ukulele
Especially for grownups! Learn how to play the ukulele with Kathryn through Ukulele Wine Time. Beginner ukulele tutorials from an experienced music teacher in a fun &
low-pressure setting.
(Wine is optional of course!)
“My daughter loves guitar lessons at East Mountain Studio. Stephen is nurturing, organized, and each week the lessons are geared toward my daughter's interests and abilities. He is always sure to work on technique, music theory (especially things that will be lifelong skills like ear training and creative song writing), and writing an original or learning a new cover song. Stephen encourages her to find her artistic voice regardless of the genre of song she writes or brings in to learn. He regularly sends lessons and recorded songs home so we can be part of the process and see her growth.”
— Jamie, Parent of an EMS student
"My son, 9, loves making music, but he really disliked music class at school and didn't want to try "real lessons" until we met Stephen. Stephen meets my son where he is musically and makes it fun. Instead of focusing on rote learning and drilling, he introduces concepts - like songwriting - as a form of conversation. It becomes a collaboration instead of an adult telling a kid how music "should" be. Music and making music should be filled with joy and feeling and I am so thrilled that my child gets to have that experience at East Mountain Studio."
-Anne, Parent of an EMS student
“Kathryn has that rare combination in teaching -- of being both very fun and very focused. She makes lessons for our daughter (my 7-year-old who is both a ukulalien and vocalist) playful with games that are also full of skill-building. Also, my child gets to pick her own songs to play, which is very empowering for her -- and she learns how to tackle them step by step and piece by piece, all the while getting to understand rhythms, notes, keys, and music theory. Kathryn's teaching style is one infused with warmth, patience and attentiveness. She is finding a joy in music that will always stay with her."
-Joanne, Parent of an EMS student
"This has been by far the best musical experience for our 8 yr old son. With a large variety of instruments and brilliant teaching, Stephen has fully engaged our son in the piano and guitar and, for the first time, he's excited for music lessons!
-Johnny, Parent of an EMS student
ABOUT
KATHRYN & STEPHEN
Kathryn & Stephen are a husband and wife team who met teaching music at the same school in Brooklyn.
Kathryn is a vocalist who plays piano and ukulele. She holds her masters degree in Jazz Performance from the University of North Texas.
Stephen grew up playing and studying guitar, but his current obsession is drums. He holds a degree in Songwriting and Guitar Performance from Berklee College of Music.
Together, they founded East Mountain Studios in 2019 as a creative space for students of all ages to explore music and self expression.
What else do we do?
That "S" in studios isn't for nothing!
Ukulele wine time
This offering is (obviously!) for grown-ups, but Kathryn teaches ukulele for beginners over on YouTube and it's super fun. Wine is totally optional! She also teaches in-person group classes and hosts Sip & Strum events in Cold Spring, NY.
Ukulele Kat
Yes, we love all things ukulele over at East Mountain Studios. We've started a fun and educational YouTube channel just for kids. Join Ukulele Kat (Kathryn) and her good friend Harmony Cat to learn ukulele and music basics.
EXPLORE
SOCIAL
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