Saturday, October 3, 2026
Benjamin Metzger has spent his life building a career in music, teaching students how to play a range of instruments. Now, the Long Beach music teacher is expanding his creative work through Ninja Noir Academy, a program blending music, martial arts, yoga and spirituality.
Metzger, who founded Studio Noir at 1028 West Beech St. in Long Beach, grew up in the Sachem school district. Originally focused on visual arts, he played baritone horn through middle school before picking up the alto saxophone at Sachem High School.
“I enjoyed the community aspect of music and the instant gratification of playing it,” he said, noting his transition from drawing to playing an instrument.
Metzger went on to study jazz guitar and studio music at the University of Miami. He later performed internationally before settling in Long Beach in 2007 and founding Studio Noir.
Over the years, he has received several honors for his community work and music career, including recognition for organizing post-Hurricane Sandy fundraising concerts held on Sunday nights for five months.
Metzger spent time as a kid watching Bruce Lee movies and quickly became inspired by the movie icon’s discipline and self-motivation.
“I really appreciated the fact that he studied philosophy in college and that he was his biggest cheerleader.” Metzger said. “That helped me grow as a person.”
Ninja Noir Academy is connected to Metzger’s personal transformation. He said he is improving his health through yoga, martial arts and major dietary changes, losing more than 50 pounds. He also recently recommitted to sobriety and described the academy as part of a broader spiritual journey centered on kindness, healing and empowerment.
Students at the academy have taken classes in taekwondo, yoga, tai chi and stretching. One student, Ivy Landsman-Slevin, knows Metzger through their involvement at Studio Noir teaching music to children. Landsman-Slevin said she felt out of shape and wanted to see personal physical improvement after recovering from a broken kneecap she sustained in November 2025.
“I watched Ben lose a ton of weight and get really healthy and that intrigued me,” she said.
Another classmate, Michael Gittleson, said the classes have been playful and a great learning experience. In one class, Gittleson said, he learned the güiro, a Latin American percussion instrument.
“Ben is just a great teacher, and he has a nice way of being patient,” Gittleson said. “It’s a very welcoming environment.”
Classes currently operate out of SOL House of Healing Arts in Long Beach, as well as his West Beech Street studio, with additional outdoor community sessions planned. A recurring outdoor session is planned at the Kennedy Plaza farmers market, Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m., and classes are scheduled for Thursdays at 11:30 a.m. at SOL, 135 E Park Ave., Unit 1A.
For more information, visit facebook.com/StudioNoirLBNY.
