Organ Lessons with Eddie Zheng
Discover the music of the organ with a Juilliard-trained organist
Love Bach, Franck, or Widor? Want to learn the pipe organ? I would love to teach you!
My name is Eddie, and I am an organist from New York City with a Bachelors, Masters, and Artist Diploma degree in organ performance from The Juilliard School. I have extensive experience playing organ concerts and had had the pleasure of teaching the organ to over 40 students since 2022. Whether you are a beginner with some piano experience, a student preparing for conservatory auditions, or someone simply drawn to the organ's expressive power, I can help you learn the skills necessary to enjoy playing the organ with ease, lyricism, and confidence. From learning pedal technique to navigating the transition from piano, I’ll guide you step by step through the process of becoming fluent at the instrument. There's a world of music out there, from Bach to your favorite Hymns - let's learn them together!
If you are in the New York City area, I'm available for in person lessons at my church, St Ignatius of Antioch in Manhattan. I also teach via Zoom to students around the world, so no matter where you are, if you are interested in learning the world's oldest and largest instrument, contact me for your first lesson. See you there!
Teaching Philosophy
The core principle of my teaching is that students grow most when they are grounded in the fundamentals of musical expression, effective technique, and efficient practice. My goal is to convey these three pillars in a way that allows students to apply what I teach them in their own practice and beyond our lesson time.
Musical Expression
Effective Technique
Efficient Practice
Musical Expression at the Organ
From the first lesson, I emphasize the importance of articulation, phrasing, and touch, which are the vocabulary and tools of expressive playing on the organ. Whether working on the speech-like gestures of Baroque music or shaping the long lines of Romantic repertoire, I encourage students to use technical means to achieve the emotional qualities these works demand. By using metaphors, visualizations, and historical context about the organs these pieces were written for, students begin to internalize these expressive tools and apply them with confidence.
Efficient and Thoughtful Technique
When teaching technique, I focus on how to use the body efficiently to play with control and ease. Once a student has a clear idea of the sound they want to create, we examine how their movement can either help or hinder that result. In learning about articulation and timing on the organ, I think of it like learning cursive or another style of writing - it begins with careful, deliberate effort, but with time becomes second nature and personal.
Learning How to Practice
I work closely with students to help them understand the real purpose of practicing: to diagnose and efficiently solve problems in a piece, and to learn at a tempo that allows the brain to ‘flow’ under just the right level of challenge. In lessons, I model the ideal ways to practice by creating smaller sections, finding the ideal tempo to work at, and addressing one or two meaningful changes at a time.
A Supportive Environment
I believe students learn best in a space that is constructive and respectful. While critique is essential to growth, it should never feel personal or discouraging. I make a point of distinguishing clearly between what is objective and what is interpretive, and I always begin by acknowledging what is working. My feedback is meant to help students make incremental and steady progress, strengthen their ability to hear themselves, and gain confidence in their musicianship.
Why I Teach
Above all, I hope that every student I teach finds joy in playing the organ and gains the tools to transform a score into something alive, heard first in their mind, then expressed through their body and the instrument. Whether preparing for conservatory auditions, church work, competitions, or simply exploring a lifelong love for the instrument, I aim to support every student’s lifelong journey with the organ!
“After twenty years of classically-focused piano lessons, I felt called to explore different styles of keyboard playing. As a lifelong churchgoer and fan of sacred music, I was especially curious to expand my knowledge of the organ. With Eddie’s instruction, I’ve built technical proficiency and expanded my curiosity about the capabilities of the instrument.
Eddie leads each lesson with a detailed reading of the musical text and an equally deep musical sense. He adeptly weaves technical challenges and practice techniques into musical examples, always encouraging musical interpretation over mechanical repetition. This is aided by his vast knowledge of the organ repertoire. Beginners and advanced students alike will find well-paired pieces to advance their studies.
Eddie brings energy and interest to his teaching. His style is one of encouragement, focus, and patience. New students should rest assured that lessons will feel more collaborative than pedantic. As a highly-skilled player, Eddie is well-positioned to take his teaching talents into a career that is sure to include a great deal of performance opportunities.”
“I began organ lessons with Eddie Zheng after playing the piano only for forty years. Boy was I surprised at the difference between piano and organ. Eddie was and remains very patient at what can sometimes feel like incremental progress. However, looking back at about nine months of lessons, I am amazed how Eddie has incrementally but surprisingly quickly brought me from easy beginner pieces to music that I can now play at a Church or for an audience. The repertoire has covered music from Baroque music to the twentieth century. He is always flexible with lesson times and is generous enough to give access to a practice space if available.”
“Eddie has been a wonderful organ teacher. He is always very clear, knowledgeable and kind. He has been able to mix a progressive learning path based on technical exercises and milestones with the flexibility to address immediate playing and performances needs. This has allowed me to work towards long-term goals while maintaining an active schedule. He has provided excellent study material based on personal preference and learning trajectory. He has been a tremendous resource and I feel very thankful to study with him.”
“Eddie is a kind and patient teacher who is always willing to meet students where they are. He is knowledgeable both technically and musically, but most importantly, he is able to explain and demonstrate concepts in a way that is effective and easy to understand. I started organ lessons on a whim after a lifetime of playing piano on-and-off, and after a year of lessons, I have made significant progress in playing with proper organ technique and interpreting the score with musicality. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Eddie and will continue to do so.”
Try out a lesson in person or virtually!
I offer in-person lessons at St. Ignatius of Antioch Church in New York, NY. Virtual lessons over Zoom are also available. Lessons are 60 minutes in length and cost $100.
New! - Intro to Organ Intensives
Designed for pianists or experienced keyboard players, these intensives offer a focused and practical introduction to the organ through daily one-hour lessons over 3 to 7 consecutive days. You’ll have time to practice before or after each session, so that new concepts can settle in and be reinforced right away.
We’ll cover 3 to 5 short works that serve as an entry point into organ literature and help you develop key skills: articulation, registration, console management, and pedal technique. Meeting daily allows for instant feedback, prevents early bad habits, and sets up a strong foundation for continuing into more advanced repertoire.
Please fill out the form below to book your first lesson!
New York, NY Teaching Location - St. Ignatius of Antioch Church