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 through 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 for Beginner, Advanced Beginner and Intermediate 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 eight-week sessions of tin whistle classes for adults at New York's Irish Arts Center. Class cycles begin in September, January and March. Class levels are Absolute Beginners, Advanced Beginners and Intermediate (Intro to Tin Whistle Ornamentation).

• Bill Ochs also offers ten-week sessions of ongoing advanced tin whistle classes for adults at his studio on Manhattan's West Side. Class cycles begin in September, January and March. At any given time there are several advanced sessions in progress. Classes focus on a variety of themes such as advanced ornamentation and repertoire building. Private tin whistle lessons are also available. For information on current advanced tin whistle classes or private instruction, please e-mail Bill or call 212.247.3231.

• Bill Ochs hosts "Tin Whistle Day" at the Irish Arts Center. This series of one-day workshops takes place on a Sunday in September, January and March before the class sessions begin. The workshops are designed for people who would like to preview a class before registering or who are just looking for an afternoon's instruction. The workshop is divided into two sections — Absolute Beginners and Advanced Beginners/Intermediate.

• Bill Ochs travels throughout the Tri-State New York area giving one-day tin whistle workshops for schools and organizations. No previous musical training is required. 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. Please e-mail Bill for details 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.