Trumpet Lessons Fairfax City County, VA

Instruments: Trumpet, Trombone, Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet

I am an instructor who has taught beginning to high school band instruments for more than 30 years My greatest joy in teaching comes from the students having fun while achieving a high level of performance. My degrees are all in teaching and I am familiar with many different teaching styles. I have helped many students achieve medals and awards in both group and individual performances. I especially love watching beginners become fluent on their instruments and the confidence they get from being able to play a real songs. Read More

Instruments: Piano, Voice, Trumpet, Trombone, Recorder, Euphonium

For children, my foundational methods include Leonard, Krueger, Clarke, Arban, Reinhardt, Rizzetto, Pearson, and Rubank. Solo and ensemble repertoire is introduced at the appropriate time. Time is also spent on improvisation, writing original compositions, and learning music that the students have brought to the lesson. For adults, we focus on what students are interested in working on, regardless of their ability level. Many adults want to spend part of the lesson working with the foundational methods, and spend part of the lesson learning one or two pieces of music. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet

In addition, I consider it of paramount importance to coach performers of all levels to “make music” rather than to merely play the notes on the page: Whether the goal be to prepare him or her for solo and ensemble competitions, concert music, jazz studies or the occasional religious service, conveying the significance of everyone’s own personal interpretation of a composition while performing it is what makes music come alive. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet

My first lesson with all of my students begin with an introduction, where we get to know a little bit about each other. I like to know the goals/expectations of my students. We will also do a number of fundamental exercises so I can get a feel for where the student currently is. For students of all ages, I aim to use the William Adam method while teaching. Simply put, the William Adam method focuses primarily on sound production. Read More

Instruments: Voice, Trumpet, Trombone, Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, Euphonium, Piccolo, Mallet Percussion

For my own beginner students who are children, I typically start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire appropriate for their first recital performance. For adults, I try to find out what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and fun, no matter their ability level. Read More