Music Lessons in Mann, WA

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Djembe

I love teaching percussion and I am interested in music of many cultures. I specialize in drum set, African drumming, keyboard percussion, and orchestral percussion. I also play steel drums and guitar. I have performed with numerous professional orchestras including the Tacoma, Federal Way, Tucson, Phoenix, and Juneau symphonies and was the principal percussionist and timpanist for the Sierra Vista Symphony Orchestra in Arizona. I have a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Percussion Performance with a minor in Ethnomusicology. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Clarinet Drums Mallet Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

My teaching style is laid back and technical. I like to go at the pace of the student and really make sure technique is perfect. With good technique you set yourself up for success and develop good habits from the start. I can't tell you how many times I've seen students, even in college, dramatically improve their sound with just a simple posture change. Once technique is handled, the doors to all genres of music are open. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

The first few students I ever had were actually swimmers! My first teaching experience came as a swim instructor for people of all ages at a local club. Because of my work there I was able to convert a small number of those kids into saxophone students as well and the teaching itch began! For the most part these students were family friends, and very much beginners so my strategies revolved around basic practice routines, some tone development work and helping with parts for school band or the like. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Synthesizer Keyboard

It is my intention that all of my students understand the importance and opportunities of music. Music is reviving for the soul, academically productive, and a lucrative choice of career if done right. My practice materials for beginner students are flexible. I often use the Alfred or Nancy Faber series, however I find it more important that beginning students grasp general concepts, while simultaneously practicing fine touch on the keys. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Double Bass

My method is to help students play the music they want to play, whether it's Miles Davis or the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I like to start my lessons by working on a song of the students choice to spark their interest. From there, I move to focusing on the students needs technically, rhythmically and theoretically. Additionally, I have my students practice improvisation, in some capacity, at each lesson. I want my students to feel comfortably making music on the fly and I set up low stakes environments for them to hone this skill. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Trumpet Harmonica Ukulele Recorder Acoustic Guitar

When working with younger children, I use the Children's progressive method for guitar and for the older students I use the Hal Leonard guitar method books 1, 2 and 3. As my students progress, I supplement the lesson with songs that my students enjoy and want to learn. I also focus on ear training to help students musically hear what they are playing. Whether it's voice, guitar, ukulele, trumpet or recorder, hearing the music inside and being able to internalize the music is very important to becoming a well rounded musician. Read More

Instruments: Flute

For all of my new students, I gauge where they are at in their musical development and start to create a plan for them. I assess their strengths first and then go right into areas that need work. I work a lot on fundamentals such as breathing, sound development, and comfortable hand position so that students can use their bodies most efficiently in their music making. I also insist on students learning to develop musical ideas right from the start so they realize that playing the flute is not only about blowing air and pushing buttons. Read More