Songwriting Faculty
Adrienne McKay
Adrienne is a kind, patient, and highly experienced songwriting teacher, known for her warm, gentle presence, and easy to learn style. Adrienne nurtures creativity and individuality in her songwriting students, helping them craft lyrics and melodies that feel authentic and inspired. Her extensive background in performance and improvisation allows her to guide students not just in structure and form, but also in emotional expression and storytelling. Whether students are writing their first song or developing a full portfolio, Adrienne’s insightful, kind-hearted coaching brings out their confidence and artistic voice.
In addition to teaching, Adrienne has over 20 years of performing experience. She has performed with her jazz trio around the world, appearing at festivals, cruise ships, hotels, and jazz clubs. Her deep musical knowledge and performance experience bring a rich perspective to her lessons, making learning both fun and fulfilling. Adrienne’s gentle approach, musical expertise, and true love for teaching makes her a joy to work with, and a teacher students remember for life.
Danielle Carr
Danielle Carr is a dedicated and talented songwriting teacher who helps her students of all ages build confidence, creativity, and strong songwriting skills. Danielle brings a vibrant approach to her teaching, rooted in the love of music and artistic expression.
Danielle is known for her ability to meet each student where they are, adapting her teaching style to suit different ages, abilities, and personalities. Danielle’s students adore her. Her lessons are designed to spark joy and curiosity, while building the skills students need to grow as musicians and express themselves with confidence.
With a degree in Music Technology from Manhattanville College, Danielle creates a dynamic learning environment that blends modern musicianship with classic fundamentals. In addition to her work as an educator, Danielle performs regularly throughout NYC and is constantly creating new musical projects. She brings that same creative energy into the classroom, inspiring her students to explore, take risks, and enjoy the process of making music.
Tori Angier
Tori Angier is a talented and deeply intuitive songwriting teacher who helps her students connect with music on a personal level. Tori creates a welcoming space where students are encouraged to explore, express themselves, and discover what they truly love to play.
Tori is a soulful, passionate performer and songwriter and brings authenticity and heart to every lesson. She is especially skilled at working with beginners, guiding them through their first steps in music with patience, empathy, and a keen sense of what inspires them. Her teaching goes beyond technique, she helps students use music as a way to process emotions, build confidence, and find their creative voice.
Tori’s lessons are tailored to each individual, blending foundational skills with student-led exploration and genre flexibility. Whether a student dreams of writing original songs, learning to play their favorite artists, or simply playing for joy, Tori supports and celebrates their growth in every way possible.
Her goal is simple but powerful: to help each student feel seen, heard, and excited to make music that matters to them.