Photo: Shendl Copitman
“Jake’s warm, creative approach has helped our daughter fall in love with music. He combines outstanding musicianship with a rare gift for teaching, guiding her to write her own music while mastering bowing, scales, and expressive playing.”
-Lilly Kanso
Availability ​
-
Since 2004, Jake has taught private and group lessons for children and adults, led workshops and masterclasses around the world, and worked with musicians from all backgrounds. Lessons available in-person in Brooklyn, across NYC, and worldwide for workshops, as well as online.
​​
Contact Jake to book lessons or workshops​
Feldenkrais
Feldenkrais is a method of somatic education that uses gentle, often small movements to direct people's attention to their habits, and to help them learn more comfortable and effective ways of moving.
Jake graduated in 2021 from the Guild-Certified Boston Feldenkrais Training Program. He continues to practice this potent method and incorporates its principles to help his music students find ease, pain relief, artistic freedom, and greater self awareness in their playing and in their lives.
​
Jake's Feldenkrais Journey:
​
In my early thirties, I began to experience nerve pain in my left hand, arm, and shoulder, directly affecting my ability to play the violin. As the issue persisted, I worried that I might need to stop playing professionally. This made me sad and anxious, but also mobilized me to heal myself and to heal my relationship with the violin. I am eternally grateful to the Feldenkrais Method® for its powerful and subtle approach to movement awareness, and for its extraordinary efficacy in creating the conditions for transformational change. Thanks in large part to this work, I was able to identify and relearn habits that were causing injury to my body. I've been able to find much more ease, comfort, and expressive freedom in my violin playing. The effects of the work have not stopped there, and continue to expand into other arenas of my life. I experience far less anxiety, more mental and emotional clarity, and presence in my relationships.
Teaching & Workshops: Inspiring the Next Generation of Musicians Through Creativity, Technique & Connection
For Jake, teaching isn’t just about notes and technique — it’s about helping students unlock their creativity, connect deeply with music, and find their own unique voice. Whether working with a young beginner or a professional musician, Jake’s lessons combine tradition, artistry, and body awareness for a truly transformative learning experience.
​
Approach to Teaching
-
Integrates technique, ear training, and emotional connection — never treating them as separate.
-
Uses Feldenkrais Method® and Alexander Technique principles to help students play with freedom, relaxation, and beautiful tone.
-
Encourages improvisation and folk traditions to develop ear training and phrasing.
-
Builds confidence through a balance of creativity and structured learning.
What Jake Teaches
-
Classical violin (beginner to advanced)
-
Klezmer, Romanian, Hungarian, and Roma folk styles
-
Improvisation and ensemble playing
-
Workshops & masterclasses worldwide​
​
Jake Breaks Down a Classic Klezmer Ornament
"I have known Jake Shulman-Ment for many years, first as a violinist working to overcome an injury, and then as a student in a Professional Feldenkrais Training which I supervised. His awareness and understanding of the Feldenkrais process went deep. Jake is a thoughtful and empathetic Feldenkrais Practitioner and musician. His sensitivity and his creative mind leave him open to try new approaches when the agreed upon ones don't work. If you need to alleviate pain or improve your performance, Jake can help you do that."
- Aliza Stewart
