Isen R.

Hey there! My name is Isen, and I am a guitarist/bassist from Brooklyn, NY. I have been deeply passionate about writing and performing music for most of my life, and have been actively learning my instrument since the age of 7. I have also been engaged with live performance since I was 11, thanks to various programs in New York City, and currently write, perform and produce for two projects based in New York. Both of these projects fall under alternative rock and post-hardcore, but my musical influences include any kind of rock, folk, soul/funk, pop and punk/metal from the 1950s to the present. In terms of teaching, I focus on bringing out and dialing in the unique characteristics of my students’ potential musicianship, and ensuring they are able to learn music they enjoy while encouraging open-mindedness to other styles. The aim of this is to ensure they become a focused-yet-versatile writer/performer who can work in any musical environment with ease, and ultimately feel satisfied by the results of the effort they put in. Additionally, I focus on helping the student develop an intimate understanding of the musical equipment they work with, so that they may be able to use the full extent of their equipment’s features and become self-reliant for basic maintenance of their instrument. Philosophically, I run on the principle of patience with persistence. I work to establish a shame-free space where mistakes are seen as opportunities for growth, and critique can be seen as something to relish rather than fear. Rather than focusing on the fact that something is “wrong”, I use those moments as opportunities to work on “what could be done better, and how”. This is an area where I often learn from my students as well. On this note, my favorite aspect of teaching is shaping my critique to the student’s struggles as a ladder to climb, and instilling a healthy urge to aim higher without a fear of failure. This is something I consistently receive positive feedback on from my students, as well as those I work with professionally. I can teach anything from the fundamentals of theory and performance to more advanced and specific technical skills. I can also teach music production/engineering skills as they apply to the student’s instrument. Hope to meet you soon!