Saxophone Lessons in Aston, PA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Saxophone

I like to keep my lessons fun. I realize that technique can be dull and dry at times but is a necessity in learning music. I like to mix technique with songs and styles of music the student is interested in so they get a full understanding of why technique is important and how it applies to songs and musical selections that are of interest to the student. A learning experience should be fun because for people, especially a child, something has to peak a willingness to learn. 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: Piano Guitar Saxophone Flute Clarinet Synthesizer Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Oboe Bassoon English Horn Acoustic Guitar

For my beginning piano students, I emphasize the twelve major and minor scales with proper fingering, first one octave and then two octaves. These exercises strengthens fingers and create more familiarity with the keyboard. I use the book, Level 1 The Older Beginner Piano Course by James Bastien and the companion book, Musicianship for the Older Beginner. I have seen results when these books are used in tandem. The student increases in technique and start to master music theory simultaneously. 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: Piano Guitar Saxophone Organ Double Bass Keyboard

Therefore, strong emphasis is placed on being able to become calm, relaxed yet thoughtful and imaginative when playing. I also believe that a lesson serves four purposes. 1) Learning 2) Modeling 3) Experimenting and 4) motivating. True learning; however, occurs between lessons, so the most important thing is to motivate students to want to practice between lessons. This is the most important challenge -- for this reason, no matter how intense the lesson gets, it is important that students leave the lesson feeling confident and good about themselves NO MATTER WHAT. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

In 2014 I completed my Doctor of Musical Arts degree and moved to the Philadelphia area. I have been an active performer, composer, and educator for the last 15 years of my life recently serving as Artist in Residence at Penn State's Altoona campus. Alongside performing in the Philadelphia area I have been a guest lecturer and artist for The University of the Arts in 2014 and 2015. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

I performed in both classical and jazz ensembles, including the symphonic band, a myriad of chamber jazz ensembles, and the school’s top jazz band, “Jazz Ensemble 1.” As well as performing in school ensembles, I performed with my own jazz quartet in locations all around the New Jersey area including shows for the New Brunswick Jazz Project and the New Jersey Jazz Society. As a composer, I worked hard to compose a new piece every week for my junior and senior years. Read More