Classical Guitar School Of New York

When a desire to learn classical guitar sparked inside me late in life, I sought to find the best teacher I could find. I chose Yasha Kofman because of his experience as a concert guitarist, as well as the convenience of his classroom location in midtown. I assumed I would have to go through a series of teachers until I found one that would match this new passion.

After the first lesson I knew I would not have to search any further. Mr. Kofman brings a high level of focus, clarity and intention to classical guitar that is nothing short of inspiring. In the eighteen months I have been under Yasha's watchful eye, my level of play has advanced at an unrivaled pace, and I have achieved more than what I would have expected. Yasha teaches you not only to play guitar well, but beautifully. I highly recommend him to anyone who wants to learn classical guitar.

My son started taking lessons with Yasha two years ago and his progress with guitar astounds me. When people see my son playing the guitar, they are in awe at his prowess. His dexterity not only impresses his classmates, but his progress consistently surprises his school teacher. Yasha teaches his students about how to improve as a guitarist, and also teaches them about how to be a respectable individual. Yasha taught him advanced techniques, improved his note reading, and introduced the mentality needed to become a successful musician. However, what I was not expecting was that he would instill a strong determination for self improvement in my son.

He teaches his students with the utmost respect and desire for their growth. He is strict when he has to be, and easygoing when he can be. My son's passion, commitment, and aptitude for guitar is truly a reflection of Yasha. Yasha Kofman is a true master of guitar.

Under the tutelage of Yasha Kofman at the Classical Guitar School of New York, my expertise and competence on the classical guitar exponentially increased. In less than two years, I was performing concert level pieces and teaching my own students. Yasha is an admiration to be around and is located in a wonderful convenient space. He is authentically invested in the well-being and success of each of his students.

I've been taking lessons with Yasha for over 6 years now and it has been a consistently beautiful experience from the start. Yasha's personality and insight make each lesson both fun and informative. He has an incredible gift of intuition that is apparent in his musicianship but also apparent in conversation. I've learned many important lessons with him that I've been able to apply to both my guitar playing and my daily life.

His passion for his own continued improvement is only rivaled by his desire to help better his students. I'll always be grateful for knowing him and being able to call him a friend!

From the moment I spoke with Yasha I knew that he could instruct and lead me to higher levels of guitar playing previously unfathomed. What I hadn't realized yet is that what I'd be gaining from him extends far beyond a classroom. Learning to read music, how to relax and focus simultaneously, become patient and appreciative of every moment musically and how that mirrors life and the expression of our experiences is just the beginning. He continues to inspire me and instill in me a newfound joy of music and life. I'm finding myself a more loving and kind person because of my experience learning with him.

I began playing guitar at the age of twelve, my interests consisted mostly in rock and roll and other popular music. Over time as my interests matured and evolved I began to take an interest in classical music, and the orchestral and self-sufficient style of the classical guitar, where no accompanying instruments and persons were required to produce beautiful and sublime pieces.

My guitar teacher at the time suggested that I take a few lessons with "the master" Yasha Kofman, as he put it, to develop my skills in the area of classical guitar. My first lessons with Yasha were extremely memorable, I remember playing simple pieces, but the emphasis on beauty over style and speed was apparent from the start. This made these first lessons more about beauty and art than the guitar necessarily, and it compelled me to practice this new craft.

With the guitar as a vessel for self-expression and beauty, I wanted to perfect the pieces and strive for greater heights on the guitar. It was never a matter of having a demanding instructor, rather Yasha somehow made me demand more from myself, and not simply to develop new technical skills but to create beautiful music that would affect myself and those around me.

I have been studying with Yasha for a number of years now and this remains the case, his lessons remain insightful and challenging while remaining relentlessly positive and open, at this point he is more of a mentor to me than simply an instructor of classical guitar. I would imagine that whatever an aspirant classical guitar musician is seeking, be it concert performances or simple improvement for its own sake, they will find it with this most graceful and affable of instructors, a true master, Yasha Kofman.