Flute Lessons in Lancaster, CA

Instruments: Saxophone Flute

My teaching experience dates back to high school. I would travel around the Imperial Valley County and teach kids who were in elementary school and junior high the basics of the saxophone and help them with any difficulties in the music that they were playing. As I grew older and learned more, I began to teach people who were older than me in high school and the underclassmen as well. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Flute Keyboard

I like to work with my students to figure out what their passion is within the wide scope of music, and work from there. My lessons include: technique and warm-up exercises, performance preparation, personalized arranging, and an emphasis on individualized lesson plans based on level, interests, and goals. Depending on the instrument, level, and genre, some teaching materials I like to use are: Faber series, Fingerpower series, Music for Little Mozarts, Czerny etudes, A Tune a Day, Forty Little Pieces, Steps to the Real Book (Jim Levy), Jazz Piano Handbook (Michele Weir), Heart It and Sing It! (Judy Niemack), classical and popular music repertoire, and my own original exercises. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute

I love to see my students get excited about music! I try to ignite the flame and get them to develop an interest of their own. Music should be a fun and positive part of our lives. While it's important to have fun, I also make sure students are gaining a solid foundation in the technical facility of the instrument. The sooner we can navigate the instrument without limitations, the sooner we can focus on the music itself! I like to incorporate duets, popular music, ear training, notation, and spontaneity in lessons. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Flute Bass Guitar Music Keyboard

I believe in using your ears as the most important tool. Which means I believe in playing music rather than reading it. Growing up playing music by ear. I prefer this way of teaching and only use sheet music as an assistant to help the student get to a certain goal. As a teacher I can help you grow your abilities on your instrument. Help you achieve the cool warm sound you want from the saxophone. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer Harp Accordion Harmonica Lap Steel Guitar Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Recorder Lute Electric Violin Fiddle Double Bass Euphonium French Horn Tuba Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Shakuhachi Oboe Bassoon English Horn Conga Latin Percussion Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

He is featured on the John Daversa Big Band's latest studio album, "American Dreamers". As a grad student at Miami, Derek was a guest lecturer in Jazz Pedagogy courses and guest conducted the Frost Studio Jazz Band. He has been a member of the Jazz Education Network since 2013 and the International Trombone Association since 2014. His teachers include Vern Kagarice, Jan Kagarice, Tony Baker, Steve Wiest, Andre Hayward, and Dante Luciani. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums French Horn Oboe

The methods that I choose to use with my students depends on what they want to learn. Some students want to just play classical music, some pop, some jazz, some marching band, etc. Therefore I do not use the same teaching methods for all students. With that being said, I do make certain that all of my srudents understand the basic elements of music, i.e., time and key signatures, note values, melody, rhythm, harmony, pitch, intonation (if a wind instrument), form, theme and variation, etc. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola Saxophone Flute Clarinet Oboe English Horn Acoustic Guitar

Music is experienced ears-first, and that's how I prefer to teach. I certainly teach everyone to read music if they don't already know how, but I really like to help people hear the music they want to make. This is done through listening assignments, playing with my students during lessons, some music memorization, and singing. I also incorporate a lot of improvisation games to get students making sounds pressure-free and help them access their inner expressive voice. Read More