Dedicated Music Teacher Dr. Michael Eisenberg Connects with Violettes

Music Teacher Enters Talented Students in Songwriter Competition

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Music teacher Dr. Michael Eisenberg is another outstanding teacher whom I am introduced to thru my work with Violettes. Learning of the Violettes Composition and Songwriting Competition for Youth thru Linked-In announcements, he encouraged 4 students enter. The contest was a goal to produce. Dr Eisenberg currently teaches music, music history, chorus, music theater, and French at Veritas Academy in Flushing, New York.+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++1.  Violettes: Teaching is generally a job with long hours. Have you received any awards for your work?Dr. Michael Eisenberg: I was named a Montalvo National Teaching Artist Finalist for excellence in arts ed and I was selected for the Carnegie Music Educators Workshop in 2013 to the present. My high school choir was invited to sing at Placido Domingo's retirement gala at the Met aswell. Thank you for all the amazing help you have given to my students*.2. Violettes: All your students entered the Songwriting Division. Is your background in voice? Tell us about your music background or history.Dr. Michael Eisenberg: My principal instruments are piano and harpsichord but I have been involved in singing since high school and have studied voice and currently sing with the Brooklyn Tabernacel Choir and the New York Festival Singers. I love singing and believe it is critical to students’ experience with music.3. Violettes: What kind of classes do you teach and do you have certain methods that you use to bring out the best in your children? Dr. Michael Eisenberg: I have taught for 4 years with the NYC dept of Ed and prior to that with the Metropolitan Opera Guild and Lincoln Center Institute as a teaching artist. I have taught many different kinds of courses from voice and chorus, to band and keyboard, to strings and orchestra to general music. It is my experience that the more students take ownership of the content and instruction the more they connect and enjoy it. When they have the chance to create and shape the music they are performing they respond in a much more enthusiastic and organic way.   4. Violettes: Tell us about the school where you teach? Do you have any fun stories about working with teen age children?Dr. Michael Eisenberg: Veritas Academy is an innovative Renzulli-design school where students are encouraged to use their individual strengths and creativity to connect to curriculum. We are located in Queens, NYC which is the most ethnically and linguistically diverse community per capita in the US and the world. Our school is located in the oldest NYC high school campus in a beautiful neo-Gothic building. 5. Violettes: Tell us about any music ventures that you have outside of teaching.Dr. Michael Eisenberg: I am currently working to present some concerts with voice and keyboard in Milan and throughout western US focusing on the musical world of Leonardo da Vinci. I recently curated an exhibit there on Leonardo’s designs for musical instruments. Last summer, I participated in an NEH workshop in Germany on teaching Bach to high school students.6. Violettes: Do you have any hobbies that you like talking about?Dr. Michael Eisenberg: I love to ski and to speak foreign languages and get to know other cultures. I also love to read and of course perform and make music.+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++*Violettes by Becky pairs professional volunteer judges with the students to give them encouraging constructive feedback for their music. Junior Composition Judges; Senior Composition Judges; Songwriter Judges are from the Knoxville Songwriters Association.****************************************************************************************************************************                                                      Go to Violettes by Becky Homepage Here.