Bio

Hello, I’m Max! I’m an NYC-based pianist, composer, and improviser. As a professional musician, my speciality is playing for improvised musical theater; every note I play — along with everything the performers say, sing, and dance — is made up on the spot. And as a teacher, I can help you develop technique, artistry, and confidence the fun way: by making up songs together. No stress, no sheet music, no experience required.

Teaching Info

Too many people quit piano because, understandably, they associate it with anxiety and frustration. You drill boring exercises day after day hoping that maybe someday, years from now, you’ll get to do something creative. With improv piano, it’s different: you’re an artist on day one.

Together, we’ll take an exploratory approach to scales, chords, rhythms, and melodies, and before you know it you’ll be making up songs out of thin air. I believe in having fun first, developing technique second; the more fun you have expressing yourself, the more you’ll want to practice and grow as a musician.

The traditional approach to music education didn’t work for me. I quit piano lessons in high school and never went to conservatory. And yet I managed to become a full-time professional pianist who plays gigs all over the city. If you know there’s a song in your heart and are tired of being told you’re not good enough, I promise to be a creative partner who believes in you and your art.