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Music and Art Specialist
Lisa M.

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Hourly Rate: $110
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About Lisa

Bio

I'm a profession musician and visual artist with over 25 years of experience, and have taught both disciplines in K-12 schools, camps and privately. My arts education includes a degree in Jazz Composition, arranging school for studio musicians, and art school. I was a touring musician and commission artist for many years until I had my son, then started teaching and tutoring as well. I love helping others explore and express themselves through art and music, and can help people at any skill...

I'm a profession musician and visual artist with over 25 years of experience, and have taught both disciplines in K-12 schools, camps and privately. My arts education includes a degree in Jazz Composition, arranging school for studio musicians, and art school. I was a touring musician and commission artist for many years until I had my son, then started teaching and tutoring as well. I love helping others explore and express themselves through art and music, and can help people at any skill level on their path towards finishing a project, refining specific skills, readying a portfolio or preparing an audition.

I have performed playing saxophone and leading horn sections for bands such as Guns 'n' Roses, Spinal Tap, and Machito, orchestrated for Warner Bros, and released a big band album of original compositions and arrangements which got 4 stars in DownBeat Magazine. I have taught saxophone, piano, classroom general music (certified in Kodaly), rock band, jazz band, opera, improvisation and arranging. I have also been both Director of Music and Director of Art at prominent summer camps in the Hamptons. Whether you need to find a practice routine that works for you, brush up on your music theory, or you want to learn how to take a solo on a blues, I can show you how.

As a visual artist, I have had my works displayed in Los Angeles and New York, and have painted scenery for movies, TV and Broadway. I love putting paint to canvas, pencil to paper, and have a thorough understanding of the skills necessary for whatever style and media is desired. My expertise lies in drawing and painting, figurative, realism, abstract, landscape, and faux finishes; and my portrait commissions include Jodie Foster, Steve Martin, Alanis Morrisette, and Mandy Patinkin. I can help you fulfill an assignment or fulfill your potential, no matter what your level, and believe that sharing my techniques, insights and passion for making art is one of the best parts of being an artist.

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Education

Berklee College of Music, SUNY Empire State
Jazz Composition

Additional Languages

French
Italian

Policies

  • Tutor’s lessons: In-person
  • Hourly Rate: $110
  • Travel policy: Within 5 miles of New York, NY 10025
  • Lesson cancellation: 4 hours notice required

  • Background check passed on 8/31/2025

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Schedule

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Approved Subjects

Composition (Music)

Composition (Music)

My most recent recording project, “Shiny! Lisa Maxwell’s Jazz Orchestra” received a 4 star review by DownBeat Magazine. I have been part of the Emmy Award-winning music team for Warner Bros, an orchestrator on all 52 episodes of Histeria! and Animaniacs: Wakko's Wish. I'm a New York City featured composer at the Summer in the Square Concert Series, an orchestrator for PBS American Experience and a Netflix and Paramount+ contributor, with original music licensed in over 25 TV series. My education included studying composing and arranging with Dick Grove in Los Angeles, winning the Quincy Jones Arranging Scholarship to Berklee College of Music and learning Duke Ellington's line writing techniques with Herb Pomeroy. As a Guest Composer teaching artist at the San Fransisco Opera ARIA program, I taught K-6 students composition, song form, elements of music and text editing to students and helping them create music for 10-minute original operas. At the Hayground School in Bridgehampton I created curriculum content, helped middle schoolers create a rock opera, and taught songwriting workshops.
Drawing

Drawing

I have extensive experience teaching people of all ages abstract, figurative and landscape techniques including perspective, design, positive and negative space, color theory, and composition. Drawing is the foundation of so many creative processes. I draw and paint daily and can help you execute any projects you want or need to fulfill. I was Director of Art Programs at Cascade Canyon School in Fairfax, CA, Hayground Camp in Bridgehampton, NY where I created curriculum content and facilitated a warm, welcoming environment for K-12 students to create and explore. I have also taught privately. Everyone can make art!
General Music

General Music

I have taught General Music since 2008 at pre K-12 schools and camps: San Fransisco Opera Education, Cascade Canyon School, Hayground School, Hayground Camp, Music in Schools Today, All Saints School and York Avenue Preschool. My expertise includes melodic and rhythmic literacy, music theory, choreographed dances, history of music in America and jazz history, and digital music production (Garage Band, Digital Performer, Dorico Notation Program). I have tried and true methods of deciphering rhythms, ear training, sight-singing, and music theory for people of all ages, whether you are in school or gaining some new skills as an adult. I would love to share them with you.
Painting

Painting

My expertise encompasses acrylics, tempera, water colors, oils, pastels, charcoal, ink, collage, 2-D and 3-D, papier maché, clay, stone, wood and other mixed media; and I teach abstract, figurative and landscape techniques including perspective, design, positive and negative space, color theory, and composition. My painted works featured in galleries, auctions, and private homes include abstract, figurative, landscapes, airbrush; and portrait commissions that include Steve Martin, Alanis Morissette, Jodie Foster, Mandy Patinkin, Harry Shearer, and Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. I also (currently) work as a scenic painter on TV, movie and Broadway productions, including The Gilded Age and The Diplomat. As Director of Art Programs I have created and implemented curriculum content at Cascade Canyon School, Hayground Camp, Sportime Camp, All Saints School, and York Avenue Preschool. I am passionate about making art and love to share techniques and ideas with people of all ages, and can help you execute any projects you want or need to fulfill. Please feel free to message me with any questions you may have.
Saxophone

Saxophone

Professionally, I led the horn sections on tour with Guns 'n' Roses and Spinal Tap, and have performed with many others, including Gil Evans Orchestra, Steven Tyler, Carole King, Bruce Willis, Paul Shaffer, Will Lee, Chuck Berry, Smokey Hormel and the Joni Mitchell Project, the MTV Award and the National Songwriters Association Awards Show. I have had private students on and off for most of my career, and am well-versed in every aspect of teaching saxophone, from finding the right mouthpiece and embouchure development, to sight-reading, to exercises and practice techniques, to improvisation. I studied saxophone with legendary teacher Joe Allard at Manhattan School of Music, and with Joe Viola at Berklee College of Music.
Lisa M.'s Photo

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Hourly Rate: $110
Contact Lisa