THE LESSON
I offer lessons for trumpet, trombone (with or without F-attachment), baritone/euphonium and tuba. I teach all levels and all styles. Lessons are 30 minutes, once per week. A typical lesson starts by dialoging with students about what they've been doing, personal interests, or scholastic activities—it's important to me to develop a relationship with my students. Playing always begins with a warm-up to help students develop a routine for their own practice. I typically ask for a report on what has been worked on in the past week of practice and any difficulties encountered and review concepts from the previous lesson. From there we spend the rest of the time working on music, technique and/or sight-reading.
Trumpet
All aspects of playing are covered. Technique includes range development, articulation, finger dexterity, intonation and sight-reading. If desired, jazz improvisation can also be worked on. All levels taught, from new beginner to advanced player.
Trombone
All aspects of playing are covered, including if you have an F-attachment trombone. Technique includes proper slide movement and position, intonation, range development, articulation and sight-reading. If desired, jazz improvisation can also be worked on. All levels taught, from new beginner to advanced player.
Baritone/Euphonium
All aspects of playing are covered. Technique includes range development, articulation, finger dexterity, intonation and sight-reading. If desired, jazz improvisation can also be worked on. All levels taught, from new beginner to advanced player.
Tuba
All aspects of playing are covered. Technique includes range development, articulation, finger dexterity, intonation and sight-reading. Levels taught include beginner through intermediate players.
PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
Recitals are standard in the studio. We typically play two recitals per year, one in late spring/early summer and one just before the winter holidays. This provides the student with the experience of playing live in front of people and dealing with the inevitable nerves that arise from such activity. Students have reported that their public speaking assignments in school were significantly easier compared with the experience of playing their instrument in front of an audience! Additionally, our recitals use a live piano accompanist so the students have the opportunity to play with a professional musician. We have had ensembles in the past, including duos, trios, quartets and quintets, with both uniform instrumentation and mixed instrument ensembles. I also help students prepare for solos performed at school band concerts and/or church performances.
VIRTUAL and LIVE RECITALS
Because the COVID-19 pandemic forced society to move to the virtual world, recitals were required to take place online through Zoom video conferencing. Reception to the online recitals was overwhelmingly positive from students and parents alike. As a result, both virtual and live recitals are now offered. For virtual recitals, students pre-record their performance, playing along with a pre-recorded audio accompaniment track—or they can multi-track themselves in order to perform ensemble works (like duos, trios or quartets for example). These recordings are then broadcast after each student introduces his or her chosen work. Live recitals provide the student the option to work with a live accompanist and expose the student to the thrill (and demands) of performing in front of an audience and allows interaction and feedback with listeners. Performing live is a central part of being a musician!
CURRENT AVAILABILITY
(30 minute lessons)
Monday
FULL
Tuesday
FULL
Thursday
FULL
Friday
FULL
Saturday
FULL
