Ian Schwartz

Ian brings extensive experience and passion for music education to his students. With over 15 years of teaching private piano and guitar lessons both in-person and online, he has nurtured the musical talents of countless students, instilling in them a love for music that lasts a lifetime.

In addition to his private teaching, Ian has been a valued teacher at several music schools, including the Institute of Music for Children, an after school arts institute in Elizabeth, NJ, where he has been teaching guitar and piano to private students and group classes for over 13 years. Additionally, he has been the band/music teacher at Hudson Montessori School in Jersey City, NJ since 2022, where he teaches 1st through 8th grade students how to play piano, guitar, bass guitar, drums, percussion, ukulele, and recorder; and arranges small groups of bands to play a wide range of music in class together and to perform at both school and outside events, such as MMUN in New York City. 

As a lifelong songwriter, producer, and artist (his music can be found on all online streaming services under the name Ian Soelins), Ian infuses his teaching with his own passion for creating music. He understands the importance not only of learning and mastering the foundational skills of an instrument, but of fostering creativity and imagination in his students, empowering them to express themselves through their own musical compositions. 

With a keen interest in foreign languages and cultures, Ian received his B.A. in Chinese Language and Literature at Rutgers University, where he studied Mandarin Chinese and Economics and also studied abroad in Taiwan.

My teaching style is straightforward and effective, and my students tend to feel very comfortable with me right from the start. I have been consistently described as "patient" and "encouraging", and have received excellent reviews from students and students' parents (see reviews attached below). 

When we meet, we will discuss your goals and come up with a plan to achieve them, and begin learning right away. I tend to focus on songs that the student wants to learn and then gear the lessons toward gaining the skills needed for that.