MUSIC SCHOOL

At SÆBØ Music School in Inwood/Washington Heights (4700 Broadway, New York, NY), we believe music is a language—and we teach it that way. Just as children learn to speak by listening, imitating, and playing with words, our students learn to understand, create, and communicate through music. They do more than just read notes on a page—they understand what they’re playing and learn to improvise, compose, and perform with fluency and confidence.

We combine a strong technical foundation with an individualized, creative approach. Whether a student is picking up an instrument for the first time or has years of experience, we meet them where they are and help them grow into the musicians they want to become. Just as importantly, our students learn how to use their music to connect with others and actively contribute to their communities—sharing their talents, collaborating, and participating in meaningful, real-world ways. Here are a few examples of our student’s past projects:

• a 7 year-old wrote an album and threw an album release party for his family

• a 12 year-old learned a piano duet, found a friend to play it with, then put on a performance for her neighborhood

• a 17 year-old brought together a group of his friends (musicians and dancers) and put on a series of interdisciplinary programs at local rest homes

Program

For ages 3–6, we offer group music classes that focus on eurhythmics and play-based activities inspired by Orff and Kodály teaching methods, laying a joyful and intuitive foundation for musical learning.

Starting at age 5, students select a primary focus in piano, violin, voice, or songwriting/composition. No matter their emphasis, all of our students:

• Conceive, spearhead, and implement their collaborative and creative projects

• Explore their personalized curriculum in private lessons

• Perform for their friends and family in recitals

• Learn, interact, and perform with their musical peers in group lessons

about Emily and Jamie

Emily Erekson (piano) and Jamie Erekson (voice, composition, songwriting) are award-winning performers, composers, and educators who enjoy envisioning and producing meaningful projects that bring people together. The last large-scale project they spearheaded was an evening-length, collaborative exploration of Shakespeare’s Richard II at Carnegie Hall, involving 3 Lincoln Center Lab directors, 6 actors, 10 composers, and 30 performing musicians. Currently, they are working on a new ballet for Ballet West, and an interactive intermedia installation for the New York State Council on the Arts. Between the two of them, they have performed their contemporary classical compositions at Carnegie Hall and their art-rock at Lincoln Center; their punk-rock band opened for Neon Trees; they had solo classical appearances at The Philadelphia Opera House, The Kimmel Center, and various venues throughout Europe (Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Czech Republic); and they have written a musical and an opera that were both produced at Brigham Young University. As educators, they have developed and taught music curriculum for hundreds of students in the private school system. They have also studied with some of the leading musicians of our time, including Eleanor Sokoloff (Curtis Institute of Music), Darrell Babidge (The Juilliard School), Christopher Theofanidis (Yale University), Arthur Greene (University of Michigan), Missy Mazzoli (Mannes School of Music), and Anna Clyne (Mannes School of Music).

testimonials

“I have five children who have all taken lessons for multiple instruments. SÆBØ Music School is by far the most creative, helpful, and knowledgeable music studio we've ever used. Emily helped my daughter learn piano in a way that worked for her, by personalizing the instruction and understanding what made my daughter excited about music. Emily's passion for music and for teaching kids the language of music makes her my top choice for musical instruction. I highly recommend SÆBØ Music School !”

-Kirstine C.

Emily taught both my daughter and son. She is a fabulous pianist and accomplished musician and her love of music shows. As a teacher she is creative and flexible and is able to see the unique needs of her students and help support them in their learning. She taught the kids to not only be capable pianists but well rounded musicians. We highly recommended Emily as a piano teacher.

-Kathleen R.

My kids love love taking piano lessons from Emily! She not only assures they have a solid foundation with music theory and technique, but she encourages their creativity and incorporates composition instruction into their very first lessons, and builds on that all the way through. Her lessons are infused with creativity and energy and the kids actively enjoy going on this musical journey with her as their guide. Thank you Emily, and Erekson Studio for enriching our children’s lives!

-Erica E.

There are many reasons my son appreciates his lessons with Emily. Her approach is caring, patient, and individualized while maintaining important academic aspects of music study.

-Alison C.

Emily is a wonderful piano teacher. She taught my two daughters for a number of years in Utah before she moved to NY. She is not only very skilled with great technique, but also very patient with the kids. My daughters love her and learn a lot from her. I highly recommend her!

-Chia Chi T.

Emily is an excellent instructor! She is knowledgeable and patient. She is very encouraging and teaches both technique and creativity. I’d highly recommend her for both children and adults! She is capable of teaching beginners and advanced pianists alike.

-Carrie P.

Emily was great! You could tell she really was passionate about piano and it made lessons very enjoyable. She really knows what she’s talking about and doing and is super sweet.

-Katlyn T.

My children had a great experience learning piano from Emily. She is serious yet kind which made my kids take piano seriously but still have fun with it. Would recommend!

-Heather P.

Emily is personable and works well with my 6 year old. I like her alternative approach and flexible nature.

-Debbie A.