Lessons

 

Will Hayes, a New York City-based composer and multi-instrumentalist, offers private instrument and music-making lessons from Ridgewood, NYC, and via Zoom to students all over the world.

Photo & Text: Cassandra Croft

With a Bachelor of Music from Cornish College of the Arts, over ten years of professional music industry experience and seven years as an educator, Hayes offers a unique approach to music education. Beyond his traditional conservatory background, Hayes imparts the wisdom and insights gleaned from working in the industry as a composer, performer and session musician—offering both formal knowledge and personal mentorship.

Hayes is an active touring musician and in-demand session guitarist who has played on acclaimed film soundtracks and albums spanning genres from classical to metal, and worked with world-class artists including Jóhann Jóhannsson, Myrkur, Randall Dunn, Stephen O’Malley of Sunn O))), Zola Jesus, and many more. From these diverse experiences, Hayes offers students invaluable context and examples of real-world application of theoretical study.

Hayes’ teaching methodology is accessible and open to students at any age, from young academics and aspiring artists to working rock musicians whose writing or performance could level up from a friendly dose of formal study. His diverse clientele ranges from college-level and studious K-12 students to living metal legends. At any level, lesson courses are individually planned to achieve the student’s highest musical interests while improving fundamental musical skills, technique, and forming habits that lead to a sustainable, lifelong practice of music.

When Hayes was a young guitarist, it was a passionate and dedicated guitar teacher who paved the way for his fulfilling future as a working musician and composer. Hayes has modeled his practice on this original, formative education: A guided connection between artistic calling, disciplined practice, and, above all, a curious study of music’s ability to transform the human heart.

The goal is always: To achieve the ability to easily express the student’s envisioned—or assigned, or subconscious—music, at will.

 
 

Instruments

  • Guitar (beginner to advanced)

  • Bass (beginner to intermediate)

  • Piano (beginner to intermediate)

  • Ukulele (beginner to intermediate)

Subjects

  • Music theory (all levels)

  • Composition

  • Songwriting

  • Digital music production

  • Sight-reading

  • Notation

Booking

Students can choose between in-person lessons from a comfortable home studio in Ridgewood, New York City, or online via Zoom.

First lessons are offered as a free trial. To book a lesson, please use the scheduling form below. For all other inquiries, email williamhayesmusic@gmail.com.