Testimonials

A fantastic teacher

Isabella is a fantastic teacher. I have been taking weekly lessons with her for the past 8 months and as an absolute beginner she made me feel very comfortable and confident. My progress has been very rewarding and I owe it all to her skill as an instructor. She makes sight reading and playing an absolute joy as her pace is very carefully matched to my ability. She knows how to help me through the tough parts and since she is so experienced as a teacher she knows what to emphasize and how to help me get over the inevitable “bumps”. I will continue to work with her for as long as she continues to teach!!!

Play Classical Guitar Like a Professional!

I do not know how I would have progressed as a guitar player and musician without Isabella’s lessons. Coming in to lessons, I had a very strong guitar playing background but only a rudimentary ability on the classical guitar, and almost no ability to sight-read. I used to be stuck and feel hesitation when I looked at a piece written in sheet music (vs guitar tablature). I now feel the opposite way and confident that my ability and repertoire are going to grow even further.

Isabella has a wide knowledge of composers and styles. She has helped me find music that I enjoy playing and also helped me to improve my technique and discard bad habits I had brought to the classical guitar from playing other instruments. I would recommend Isabella to anyone who wants to expand their ability as a musician and play the classical guitar like a professional, even if they only play as a hobby.

Balancing Challenge with Support and Encouragement

I went to Isabella for classical guitar lessons after not playing regularly for almost two decades and having never learned to sight read music! Isabella has been a wonderful teacher and is able to balance challenge with support and encouragement. My playing and understanding of the mechanics of music has improved drastically with her support. I highly recommend her as a teacher at any level.

Scored 95/100 for the Royal Conservatory of Music Exam!

My 10-year-old son has been working with Isabella for around 8 months now learning the guitar. None of my family knows how to play the guitar to teach him and at first we were not sure if learning a musical instrument through zoom would work. However, my son has been having a lot of fun since his first class and he was able to get a 95 for the RCM exam after preparing it with her. Isabella is very kind and a great teacher who makes the class so my son can concentrate for 45 minutes. If there is something he doesn’t understand, we can reach out to her and she will send us a video demonstrating it and always writes what my son has to do by his next class. I feel very lucky that Isabella is my son’s teacher.

Yes, I Can!

I’ve been studying with Isabella for about 9 months now. At the start I was concerned I’d be spending most of my time on scales and more-or-less mindless technique exercises. While they have not been ignored, she has had me spending more time on the music.
The usual advice seems to be not to work on materials above one’s technical level. Isabella turned that around, giving me pieces I had serious concerns I would never be able to play, and showing me that I can. Actually seeing progress has been immensely gratifying, and motivates me to keep progressing.
Thank you, Isabella–for showing me you CAN teach an old dog new tricks!

Extremely Knowledgeable and Helpful Teacher

Isabella is a GREAT teacher!! She’s attentive, patient, caring, extremely knowledgeable and helpful. Whatever your goals are, she is going to help you meet them. She’s the perfect teacher for adult students looking to advance themselves. She’s really helped me grow and feel more confident as guitarist and musician. I came to her after feeling very down about my skills, I had a very bad experience with past teachers and I was starting to hate guitar. It took me sometime to feel good again but I am so glad I found her. I look forward to my lessons and I feel energized about playing guitar again.

A Great Help

I have been working with Isabella for a little over 6 months. She has been a great help providing with what I need to reach the next level. She also invited me to a Summer masterclass last year to watch other students’ performance. Watching other’s performance is very important in learning any instruments. I am relatively new to guitar but I majored in classical piano. Isabella is a true professional who will help you reaching your goals at any level.

An Entirely New Path

Isabella is an insightful and enthusiastic teacher with an encyclopedic knowledge of music, guitar theory, and concepts. She also possesses a wealth of teaching and practice strategies for helping students advance their playing. For example, it is routine for teachers to tell students to relax more. It is extraordinary when that instruction is accompanied by multiple strategies and exercises to achieve greater relaxation. When I was fortunate enough to find Isabella, I had been playing classical guitar for more than 15 years, but the last 3 were spent without a teacher. I practiced and maintained, but I wasn’t advancing and wasn’t sure how to advance. It took Isabella only a few minutes to unpack my playing, help me break out of my rut, and send me on an entirely new path with a combination of tangible and conceptual goals. This even included participating in a master class during the 2021 Lanciano International Guitar Seminar. My lessons usually start with a discussion of if and what I practiced, and what challenges or questions I encountered. Whether it is something about sight reading, repertoire, technique, performance anxiety, interpretation, practicing with kids in the house, etc, Isabella is able to speak to it and help with it. She is supportive in her critiques, specific with her instructions, and a joy to listen to playing guitar and speaking about it. I look forward to every lesson.

An Amazing and Enthusiastic Teacher

Isabella is an amazing and enthusiastic teacher. She is very patient and knows how to explain theory very well. Her practical advise has brought a great deal of improvement in just a few months for my daughter Veda. She is one teacher who can actually answer and explain every single question which was lingering in my daughter s mind for quite sometime. Her method of teaching has made my daughter fall into the habit of playing and enjoying music. I would highly recommend Miss Isabella who is a perfect book of knowledge where one can thrive in a balance of joy and success.

Reaching A New Level

I’m preparing to apply for my masters degree & Isabella’s help & guidance has been very important to my preparations. Her supportive and practical advise has helped me reach a new level on the instrument that always felt a bit out of reach. Wonderful teacher – I highly recommend taking lessons with her.

The Real Deal!

I spent a lot of time looking for a good classical guitar instructor in the city who would help me progress from my very basic understanding of the instrument. Isabella is the real deal! She gives great quality one on one instruction (even while remote during this past year) and has helped me advance to a now early intermediate level [RCM Certification]. She is really patient and great at pinpointing problematic areas in technique and provides useful exercises on how to improve my musicality and expression. If you’re looking for a great teacher who could help you improve, no need to look any further!

My Expectations Have Been Consistently Exceeded

I studied classical guitar as a kid and had been playing intermittently since then, but when the pandemic started I decided to get serious again. I originally chose to work with Isabella because I was interested in branching out beyond the “canon” and into more contemporary pieces; we’ve ended up playing a broad spectrum of things. I really can’t say enough good things about her teaching. As someone coming in with a solid technical foundation, my primary goals have been improving musicality and performance quality, and my expectations in those regards have been consistently exceeded. She is a very thoughtful critic of my playing, with a keen ear and a real depth of insight into the pieces I am playing. She has completely transformed the way I think about how to play music. On a very practical level, the online format is very smooth and convenient, and I don’t feel like I’m really missing much compared to being in person.

Play with Confidence, Focus, and a Desire to Learn More

My nine year old, super energetic, son started playing last year with Isabella. He had never picked up a guitar in his life and now he is playing his instrument with confidence, focus, and a desire to learn more. I believe that his dedication has a great deal to do with Isabella. She is an amazing teacher. She listens to her students and really guides and teaches them to have a love for music.

Perfect balance of technique, form, playfulness and improvisation

Isabella is an incredibly patient and intuitive teacher. She has a very calming influence on my 9 year old son which allows him to focus and engage with her in an impressive way. Isabella also seems to have the perfect balance of technique and form and playfulness and improvisation. Structure and variety are the key to my son’s happiness in life, and in music and Isabella tapped into that quite immediately. I couldn’t ask for a better teacher.

Highly Recommended

I joined DalMaestro for preparing my harmony test through The Royal Conservatory of Music RCM and I studied with Liz. She is very knowledgeable and skilled in walking you through concepts and exercises. Also very flexible when scheduling lessons. Highly recommended!

Immense depth of knowledge for music and guitar technique.

Isabella is a wonderful teacher. Her depth of knowledge for music and guitar technique is immense. In most lessons, she amazes me with some subtle, ingenious idea that greatly improves my playing. It really matters if you have a good teacher like Isabella, because you can improve much faster under a master than otherwise. Though I have further to go, finally I can enjoy some beautiful music from my own hands!

One of the Best Teachers I Ever Worked With

I have been playing guitar for 24 years and have had many great teachers in the past and for me Isabella is easily one of the best teachers I ever worked with. She is very knowledgeable, and helped me improve tremendously especially when it comes to musicianship, interpretation and technique. I have entered international competitions in the past and she is helping me prepare for competitions next year. The recital we had was amazing as well. There are opportunities for guitar abroad studies as well as preparing for conservatory admissions and The Royal Conservatory of Music Tests. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced student looking to learn classical guitar or prepare for competitions you should definitely consider working with Isabella Abbonizio.

A Tremendous and Accomplished Teacher and Player

I was delighted that after a long search, I was able to find Isabella. Since we have been working together online, I have noted steady progress and developed a profound interest in the study of this beautiful instrument. Isabella is a tremendous and accomplished teacher and player, and her experience and patience are evident, in addition to her positive and contagious outlook. I always look forward to her classes; it is a delight to work with Isabella.

An Incredible Teacher

I found Isabella via Yelp, and I’m so glad I did. She is an incredible teacher who made reading music and playing guitar as a novice quite enjoyable. Her expertise and ability to articulate her knowledge allowed my guitar skills to blossom in just three short months. Isabella is not only skilled, but she is extremely kind, caring, and patient. She is also very flexible in terms of accommodating an often hectic and unpredictable schedule. I couldn’t recommend Isabella highly enough!

The best guitar instructor I have ever had

Just wanted to share my experience working with Isabella. She is an amazing instructor who is very patient and caring. I have made so much progress in my playing because of her and can now confidently play sheet music by sight reading apart from many other skills she has thought me. She is also very knowledgeable in music theory. I look forward to our lessons together and hope to continue working with her in the future. As a side note I had been playing guitar for approximately 14 years prior to meeting her, and can confidently say she is the best guitar instructor I have ever had. Thank you so much Isabella!!

Now I play my instrument more beautifully

Isabella was fantastic! I began our couple of months together (before leaving for College) with approximately 2 years of self-taught knowledge, and now, I have a much more useful understanding of my instrument and of written music. When beginning our lessons I was looking for a classical teacher who would help me foster my ability to read music, and help me find ways to play my instrument more beautifully. After only a summer worth of lessons, I can say with confidence that Isabella did that for me.

Truly a gifted teacher

If you are interested in learning guitar Isabella is the best. I have been taking lessons with her for over two years and have benefited tremendously. She is truly a gifted teacher, with a deep understanding of guitar. She is able to break complicated concepts down into small steps which makes learning easy. Sometimes I arrive to my lesson dispirited and discouraged, but Isabella is always able to reignite my enthusiasm. I began learning guitar at 40, so it’s never to late. The lessons are an investment that will pay off for the rest of your life.

Awsome!

Isabella is awesome! I had been teaching myself the basics of guitar and decided I wanted that extra help to really get my dreams of become a guitarist going. I received guitar classes with Isabella as a Christmas gift and I am so thankful that I did. Firstly, she’s around the corner from me so it made running to her after work a breeze (she even was kind enough to accommodate me and offer 6PM classes due to my work schedule) Second, she is very patient and makes you feel comfortable when starting to play. I wanted to learn to read music as well as play and to be honest, I couldn’t believe how quickly I picked both up. Isabella is great at teaching you tips and tricks of how to better yourself at things like bar chords and even at singing along with the melody. I have learned so much and it is only the beginning. I truly enjoy going to lessons with Isabella – she makes learning fun!

A true musician and a gifted guitar teacher

Isabella is an amazing teacher. She provides a positive environment and is patient, and provides enough challenge to keep my daughter wanting to be better. My daughter has learned so much in such a short time! And she is participating in the Royal Conservatory of Music program, which will look great on her college applications. I really respect Isabella, and I wholeheartedly recommend her. She is a true musician and a gifted teacher.

Highly Recommended!

I’ve taking classical guitar lessons with Isabella for the past 4-5 months, and she’s the best music instructor I’ve ever had. She has a great eye for technique, and is very good at identifying little things you’re doing incorrectly that I’d find impossible to spot. Additionally, she’s great at tailoring lessons to what you want to get out of them, whether by picking our pieces that fit your musical tastes, or by focusing on the more musical aspects of classical guitar. I would highly recommend Isabella/DalMaestro to any prospective classical guitar student.

An Amazing Teacher

Isabella Abbonizio is the best of the best. A Passionate, caring, patient and encouraging guitar teacher. My daughter started taking lessons with her only 9 months ago and she is already reading music and playing on her own. Not only does she teach my daughter in a way that she enjoys, she is an amazing performer herself. Listening to her play classical guitar is so beautiful and transforming. And seeing Isabella play, gives my daughter the inspiration she needs to keep going. She is truly an amazing teacher.

Invaluable Lessons

I moved to New York with my family in September 2016 for seven months and I was looking for a classical guitar teacher to improve my technical skills. I had the luck to meet Isabella Abbonizio, whose positive and encouraging attitude, and unique approach to guitar technique have helped me tremendously. Isabella taught me helpful exercises to get both of my hands in shape and ready to play while also improving my technical skills on  single pieces. Her lessons are invaluable, also thanks to her focus on the importance of breathing and relaxation to improve your playing. Isabella was also very helpful in suggesting great guitar technique books and materials, and repertoire appropriate to my level.

Interpret and play pieces musically

I have been studying with Isabella for around 8 months now and I really enjoy working with her. She is pushing my right and left hand technique, which is difficult for me, but I can see the improvement in my playing. She is also very supportive when I struggle with some technique on the guitar. Besides very good at teaching the technical aspects of playing guitar, what is special about Isabella is that she is very good at helping students interpret and play pieces musically. This is the reason why we play music, right ? I heartily recommend Isabella as a classical guitar teacher.

A constant, easy prodding to a higher level of performance

Excellent! Isabella is very approachable. She has an perfect knowledge of the guitar and passes that knowledge along in an easy, natural, almost intuitive manner. No scolding schoolmaster here – just a constant, easy prodding to a higher level of performance. I highly recommend her to you.

State-of-the-art online lessons

With DalMaestro, Isabella Abbonizio has brought music lessons into the 21st century with her state-of-the-art online lessons. My daughter loves that she never has to miss a lesson in the summer or if we are traveling, or if we simply do not have the time to get to her studio in person. But the best part of working with Isabella is that she shares her enormous talent as a teacher, and passion for music with her students and she really cares about their progress. She has taken my daughter’s interest and skill level in classical guitar to an amazing point in just one year!