The Pennywhistler's Press | Classes & Lessons

"Due to the insights you shared I have been progressing in leaps and bounds and I would consider your workshop as my 'Zen moment' in whistling. Thanks to you I am now welcome at many local sessions." -- E.S.K.

Lessons now available ANYWHERE by phone and/or webcam using Skype

• Bill Ochs offers private lessons by webcam using Skype, the free internet calling and video-conferencing software. All you need is a fast broadband connection, a fairly recent computer, and a webcam. His teaching hours are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 4:00 to 10:00 PM EST (GMT minus 5 hours). Telephone lessons can also be arranged using Skype or a landline. Payment is via Paypal or personal check. E-mail Bill to schedule a lesson or to discuss details.

New York Tin Whistle Classes and Lessons for Beginning, Intermediate & Advanced Players

• Bill Ochs has been called "a central figure in the renaissance of the tin whistle" by National Public Radio's All Things Considered and "the leading tin whistle teacher in North America" by New York's Irish Voice. Bill offers private tin whistle lessons to students of all levels — from absolute beginner to advanced — at his studio on Manhattan's West Side.

Bill also offers ongoing group classes for intermediate and advanced students. Classes start in September, January and March. At any given time there are several group sessions in progress. Classes focus on a variety of themes such as ornamentation, ear training, and repertoire building. For information on current group tin whistle classes or private instruction, please e-mail Bill or call 212.247.3231.

One-Day Workshops for Tin Whistle, Irish Flute, Uilleann Pipes and Other Instruments

• Bill Ochs leads total-immersion workshops on Irish music for players of various instruments at New York's Irish Arts Center and other venues throughout the New York Tri-State area. Ornamentation Boot Camp and Rhythm and Phrasing Boot Camp are two of the themes presented so far. These will be reprised in the near future. Slow Air Boot Camp is scheduled for Sunday, December 5 at 2 PM at The Irish Arts Center. Articulation Boot Camp is in the planning stage for Spring, 2011. For more information on upcoming workshops, please e-mail Bill or call 212.247.3231.

• Bill Ochs travels throughout the New York Tri-State area giving one-day tin whistle workshops for schools and organizations. No previous musical training is required in order to participate. Beginners are taught all the basics. By the end of the workshop, each student will be able to play a simple tune. Tin whistles and books are supplied. Recommended for ages eight through adult. To book a workshop for your school, club or organization, please e-mail Bill or call 212.247.3231.

• Private uilleann pipe lessons for players of all levels. Bill teaches a synthesis of "open" and "tight" piping styles that he learned from master uilleann pipe teachers Andy Conroy (Roscommon and New York), Pat Mitchell (Dublin and Galway) and Tom Standeven (Philadelphia). Please e-mail Bill for details or call 212.247.3231.

• Private Irish flute lessons for players of all levels. Sessions focus on rhythm, phrasing, tone production, breath control and ornamentation. As one of New York's few traditional Irish wooden flute teachers, Bill has successfully coached local classical and jazz flutists in adapting Irish ornamentation to the Boehm-system flute. Students may play either a traditional Irish wooden flute or a Boehm-system instrument. Please e-mail Bill for details or call 212.247.3231.