Piano Lessons in Surprise, AZ

Instruments: Saxophone

Do you use specific teaching methods or books? (Ex: Alfred, Bastion, Suzuki, Hal Leonard) Why did you choose them if you did?
This is my first teaching gig but depending on what the student is interested in, materials will be chosen accordingly.

If you play more than one instrument, how did you decide to start playing the second? (Or 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc)!
I am only a saxophonist.

Does music run in your family? Tell us a little about your musical family members.
My mother is a 2nd/3rd grade elementary school teacher but during her upbringing; she was a very established flute player that attended honor bands as well as being a member of the Wind Ensemble during her time at Pacific Lutheran University and is a singer as well. My sister is a singer that has done genres ranging from Opera to jazz.

If you weren't a musician what do you think you'd be doing instead?
If I decided that I didn't want to be a musician, I would probably want to do something for a professional or collegiate sports team.

What is your favorite style/genre of music to play and why?
Favorite style of genres to play are; traditional jazz, hip-hop, funk and swing. I love these genres because they are very unique in their own sense by the way you approach soloing. Also, for writing compositions you can draw inspiration from other genres and make some very unique music.

What is your dream piece to perform and why?
I love to play original music from either myself or my band as well as jazz standards. It is very important to know that jazz is Black American Music and that it is rich in history - making sure to immerse yourself in the art form and learn from the greats makes playing this music so different than anything else. Playing your own music helps give the audience a little glimpse of why you wrote the chart, and what emotion you are trying to present.

If you have a Music Degree, what is it in (Performance, Education, Musicology, Theory, Composition, etc) and why did you choose that degree?
I received my Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science as well as a Music Minor. I chose to go through the music minor route because I knew I want to be a professional gigging musician I didn't want to go to receive my master's but I knew that as soon as I was out of school that I would just hit the shed relentlessly to make sure I separate myself from other musicians.

What does a normal practice session look like for you?
For myself, I try to give myself at least 2-3 hours to really shed. I like to start my practice sessions with running some patterns around the circle of fourths then hitting the long tones hard to hone in on tone production and breathe control. I make sure that I am taking breaks in between so burn out does not occur (usually 10 min increment). I will then work on a specific jazz standard I am learning by memory, then working on a solo transcription that I have picked and been working on. I also make sure to practice my band's material as well as record for producers that I work on as well.

Have any of your students won awards or been selected for special honors? How have they succeeded?
This will be my first private lesson teaching gig - during college I did mentor some underclassmen but haven't had any students, but look forward to helping any instrumentalist wanting to get better.

What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
As cliquè as it might be - being one with your instrument is hands down one of the hardest things to master on the horn. This means your horn is an extension of yourself. Needing to be able to express your emotions, connecting ideas you hear in your head effortlessly

When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
I decided to become a professional musician as early as my junior year in college. It was just the thrill and feeling of performing in front of big audiences and really getting to express yourself that made me decide to pursue this specific path. Playing in the University Jazz Ensemble as well as my band that really was a catalyst - being able to book gigs during college, earn money to do something I love as well as establishing myself as a musician. I wouldn't change this for the world.

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