Greenpoint Academy
of Music and Arts

GAMA, located in Greenpoint, NY, is dedicated to providing high-quality music education for students of all ages. Through private and duo lessons, our experienced instructors fosters an environment where creativity, discipline, and artistic expression can flourish. At GAMA, we are committed to nurturing each student’s musical journey, building skills, confidence, and a lifelong appreciation for the art of music.

Bass

Drums

Guitar

piano

Voice

Ukulele

Saxophone

Violin

Cello

Afterschool

Discover our classes and find out how you can start
your musical journey at GAMA!

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Online Classes

Online Sessions

At GAMA, our Online Sessions bring the studio experience directly to your home. Each lesson is delivered live with professional guidance, allowing students to interact, receive feedback, and refine their skills in real time.

Students can record their progress from anywhere, creating a digital archive to track growth and celebrate milestones. Every Online Session is designed to culminate in a polished performance or recording, giving students a tangible showcase of their dedication and musical journey-no matter where they are.

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Online Classes

Studio Sessions

At GAMA, we call our lessons Studio Sessions-because every student learns in a real recording environment. Each session is captured using professional studio gear, giving students the chance to listen back, track their progress, and grow with every step.

Lessons culminate in a recording that marks their achievement-a fully produced, professional-quality song that celebrates their hard work and musical journey. Students leave not only with new skills but also with a tangible milestone of their artistry to share and remember.

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  • Curriculum
  • Curriculum
  • Curriculum
  • Curriculum
  • Curriculum

Curriculum

At GAMA, our curriculum blends strong musical foundations with creative exploration. Students learn rhythm, pitch, harmony, and notation, while also developing skills and ensemble playing, improvisation, and performance.

Each lesson is tailored tothe student's level, combining theory with hands-on practice across our dynamic spaces. This approach ensures students grow not only as player, but as confident, expressive musicians ready to share their music.

Meet
our teachers

GAMA offers private and duo lessons for all ages. Our experienced teachers create a fun and welcoming place where students grow their skills, creativity, and confidence through music.

Andrew

Andrew

Andrew Shapiro is an alto saxophonist and pianist who has emerged as a fresh voice in New York’s jazz scene, particularly around Lincoln Center. Originally from a small town north of Boston, he began formal lessons at the age of 14. Within a short time, Andrew was already performing in local bars and restaurants, earning early recognition for his distinctive sound and musical drive.

Alexandra

Alexandra

Alexandra James is a passionate music educator and performer dedicated to inspiring young musicians through creativity, expression, and joyful learning. With a Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Performance from the New England Conservatory and a Master’s in Songwriting from NYU Steinhardt, she brings both deep musical knowledge and a playful spirit to her teaching. Since 2017, Alexandra has been guiding students in voice, guitar, and piano, always meeting each student where they are and nurturing their curiosity.

Justin

Justin

Justin Oliver is a dynamic vocalist, pianist, and educator with a passion for inspiring the next generation of musicians. Born and raised in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Justin first began shaping young voices as a choir director at his alma mater, where he returned to lead and mentor students in the same program that helped cultivate his own love for music. He later taught piano at Mary Ann Blackmon's renowned piano school in Tuscaloosa, where he worked with students of all ages to build strong technical foundations and expressive artistry.

Ken

Ken

Ken Maletkova is a Brooklyn-based musician, composer, and educator. A graduate of Berklee College of Music with a degree in Jazz Composition, Ken has developed a versatile career as both a performer and teacher. He plays regularly across New York City and throughout New England in several different ensemble styles. With a command of many styles and genres, he brings a unique blend of technical skill and creativity to every performance.

Price

Price

Price McGuffey is a multi-disciplinary instrumentalist based in New York City, active in both live and studio settings as a performer, composer, arranger, and educator. Over the years, he has collaborated with and studied under acclaimed artists including Ndugu , Don Braden, Wycliffe Gordon, Alan Broadbent, Amina Figarova, Ben Sollee, Carly Johnson, Jenn Freeman, and Complexions Contemporary Ballet. His versatile musicianship allows him to move fluidly across genres, from jazz and classical to contemporary and popular music, making him a sought-after artist for a wide range of projects. With more than 15 years of teaching experience, he brings both technical mastery and creative artistry into every musical setting.

Rachel

Rachel

Rachel Spund is a Brooklyn-based performer and instructor with a Master’s degree in Voice Performance from the University of British Columbia. Following her graduate studies, she moved to New York City, where she has built a versatile career in diverse musical settings. Her performance credits include singing in the chorus of the Lyric Opera of Chicago, performing in high-caliber churches across Manhattan, taking on the titular role in Suor Angelica with the Berlin Opera Academy, and participating in workshops with Opera America. With experience in wide range of genres, Rachel brings a rich understanding of artistry to every stage she graces.

Vinny

Vinny

Vinny Silva is a Brazilian-born multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer who has been shaping the New York music scene since moving to the U.S. in 2012. Known for his versatility and creative vision, Vinny has collaborated with acclaimed artists including Grammy winner Amy Allen, Latin Grammy winner Nella, among many other artists in different genres, and has recorded in world-class studios such as Studio 606 (CA), Avatar Studios (NYC), and Studio G (Brooklyn).

Andrew

Andrew

Andrew is a guitarist and bassist working out of Brooklyn, New York. With a Bachelor’s Degree in music from Hamilton College, and over a decade of experience writing and performing, Andrew encourages curiosity and experimentation within his lessons. Andrew has opened for Aminé and Melt, performed at venues across the city such as Nightclub 101 and The Main Drag, and also has experience with sound engineering and music production. Andrew caters his lessons to each student, making sure to meet them where they are, while still giving them room to grow. He loves teaching music to his students at GAMA, and often finds inspiration in their curiosity and dedication.

Emma

Emma

Emma is a versatile bassist, pianist, composer, and educator based in Brooklyn, NYC. She was born in Seoul, South Korea and raised in Sacramento, California. She fell in love with music at the age of 5 playing classical piano and picked up the bass at age 13. She is a recent graduate from Michigan State University receiving both her bachelors and masters in Jazz Studies. She has studied with bassists Rodney Whitaker, Geri Pineda, Molly Redfield, and saxophonist Patrick Langham. Her main goals are to bend the rules and participate in creating a new sound of music while also continuing the legacy of jazz that the great jazz giants have passed down through generations. Her main influences include Linda May Han Oh, Buster Williams, Paul Chambers, Michel Legrand, and Jackie Mclean. Emma is constantly inspired by her students’ hard work and excitement in exploring the world of music. As a jazz musician, she recognizes the value of fun and play while learning a new instrument. She brings her playfulness to her lessons at GAMA, and finds that her students tend to work harder when they’re having fun.

Jesse

Jesse

Jesse is a trumpet player and educator from New York. He obtained his bachelor and master’s degree in trumpet performance from the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music. Jesse has performed and recorded with numerous music luminaries such as Gloria Estefan, Durand Jones, Martha Reeves, Mary Wilson, and jazz legend Arturo Sandoval. Jesse keeps busy teaching his private students at GAMA while attending to a busy performance schedule in the tri-state area. He loves teaching students brand new to trumpet, along with those attempting to take their skills to the next level. When learning the trumpet, it’s all about building confidence to play loud and clear. Jesse always takes delight in coaching his students to build that confidence.

Laura

Laura

Laura is a bass violinist, who made her solo debut at 19 performing Vivaldi’s Concerto RV 581 with the Uto Ughi Festival Omaggio a Roma Orchestra. She has also appeared as a soloist with the Orchestra Philharmonia Mediterranea in Italy, performing the Bach Double and the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto. An award-winning chamber musician, she has received prizes in European duo and piano trio competitions and performed at festivals and organizations across Europe, the United States and Asia. Her playing has been featured on a live broadcast of Pierrot Lunaire on Deutschlandradio Kultur and an interview on WVOX Radio highlighting South-Italian composers. Based in NYC, she collaborates with ensembles such as the Semplice Players and Kollective366 and co-founded the QueensSound Ensemble and the OLLA Rhapsody Violin Duo. Laura serves on the faculty of the Hoff-Barthelson Music School, where she is also the Chamber Music Program Director. She loves instructing her students and sharing her passion for musical excellence. Laura finds her students thriving in the GAMA atmosphere, and she’s looking forward to teaching more students ready to further their musical education.

Logo GAMA - Greenpoint Academy of Music and Arts

About

GAMA’s Vision is to make music and the arts an essential part of every student’s growth, fostering creativity, discipline, confidence, and self-expression in an inclusive community.
Its Mission is to provide exceptional music education in a supportive environment, blending technique, theory, and creativity to cultivate skill, joy, and artistic curiosity in every student.

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