About Mr. Mendez

I have spent the past 33 years teaching strings/orchestra in Central New York and retired in June 2024 from the Fayetteville-Manlius School District (where I served as the K-12 District Coordinator of Music and High School Orchestra Conductor) to be closer to my family here in Florida.

Over the years, I have taught students from ages 5 through adult and have experience with the Suzuki Method in addition to the traditional approach.

My teaching bio is available HERE

I graduated from Ithaca College with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree and from Binghamton University with a Master of Music in Viola Performance degree. 

In March of 2024 I was honored by the Rochester Institute of Technology as a "Distinguished Teacher"

In May of 2017 I was honored by Hobart and William Smith Colleges with their "Touching the Future Award"

In 2015 I was a quarter-finalist for the first ever GRAMMY Music Educator Award

In 2005 I was presented with the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra Annual Award for "Outstanding Music Educator in Instrumental Music - Orchestra"

I offer private violin/viola lessons to students of all ages. The lesson length is determined by the readiness of the students. Lessons will be 15, 30, 45, or 60 minutes in length. You can schedule an introductory lesson right from my website...please reach out to me first to determine what length of lesson would be appropriate for your child. The introductory lesson is at a discounted rate to see if the student and I are a good fit.