Saxophone Lessons in Arcola, PA

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet Accordion

In 2007, I graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. I was a member of the Penn State Marching Blue Band and have participated in several Alumni Blue Band performances since graduating. I went on to earn my Masters of Music in Music Education from Northwestern University in 2012. I enjoyed teaching music in the public school for ten years. In addition to teaching, I have also been the piano accompanist for both middle and high school choirs. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I first began teaching while still completing my Bachelors degree at William Paterson in 2011. Most of my students were beginning level piano students, but I had a few more advanced students as well as some people studying saxophone with me. My teaching philosophy is to combine teaching the technique of an instrument with learning songs as well as theory and improvisation/composition. Everyone learns technique, but learning music that I wanted to learn, learning how those songs were written (theory), and eventually elaborating on those songs (improvisation), and writing my own music (composition), was what really got me deeply engaged in the act of practicing and making music, and I have found over several years of teaching that it keeps my students engaged and enjoying the learning process. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder Piccolo Oboe Bassoon English Horn Music Keyboard

No matter which direction my students go, I always try to make sure they're having fun with the music and being able to play their instrument. Because otherwise, the music won't come out the same way without having that extra feeling put into it. In order for my students to reach further enjoyability, I always try to respect the pace at which each student picks up material and encourage my students to go about their craft with honesty and respect their own pace, knowing that music as a whole isn't a competition and that these students will all eventually reach their goal through patience. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

My methods vary greatly depending on the student's goals and experience. Through the first few years of study, an emphasis on the fundamentals of music and instrumental skills is required. This typically takes the form of a beginning method book. For students beyond this phase of study, advanced technique work takes the form of scale, chord, and interval studies. I couple these with the development of repertoire that fits the needs and goals of that student. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

For beginning students, I start with Essential Elements, or another comparable method if their band program uses another book. Once the student reaches middle school and has a good concept of fundamentals, we progress to the Himie Voxman Selected Studies and Duets books. For high school and advanced middle school students, I use the Baermann Division III book, the Klose Method, the Rose etudes for clarinet, as well as beginning to introduce appropriate solo repertoire. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

It is most important to me that my students become passionate about what they do! I realize that every student learns differently and has different interests than my own. Because of this, I like to cater my lessons to what they would like to do as often as possible and through this I find creative ways to incorporate fundemental technical elements into the lesson. This can be through creating patterns to practice using the material of a musical phrase from their favorite song or expanding their playing range on the instrument by playing it in different keys and octaves. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I vary my methods according to student level, age, and practice habits. For example, for the advanced high school student I often mold my teachings around college audition requirements and all-state, regional band auditions. Otherwise, particularly for younger styudents, I am not very performance oriented. I think it is more important to learn to "play" at music rather than plan and prepare for multiple recitals. Read More