Saxophone Lessons in Avenue, MD

Instruments: Saxophone Flute

A native Washingtonian, tenor saxophonist Brian graduated from the prestigious Duke Ellington School of The Arts, a product of master teacher and musician Davey Yarborough. He earned his BFA from The New School University in New York City, studying under Arnie Lawrence, Steve Neil, Charles Davis, Reggie Workman and Chico Hamilton. In 2008 Brian completed a Master of Music (MM) degree from Howard University where he was a graduate teaching assistant and student of saxophone virtuoso, Charlie Young. Among others, Brian has performed with Curtis Fuller, Gil Scott-Heron, Shirley Horn, Stanley Turrentine, Stanley Clarke, Mickey Roker, Butch Warren, Freddie Redd, Tom Abbs & Frequency Response and currently plays with Tomas Fujiwara and the Hookup. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Bass Guitar Ukulele Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I love to see my students overcome challenges in music. My music teacher used to say, "nothing is hard, or difficult, just challenging." If students learn how to practice effectively on their own, learning new music becomes easier over time. I teach my students how to approach a certain rhythm, phrase, or fingering and the techniques to do so correctly such as by slowing down and practicing with a metronome, our muscle memory will be able to play it up to speed once it's learned. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

All lessons are tailored to each students ability level, with the goal of creating specific, achievable objectives to foster a successful environment. Students tend to enjoy working on what they are passionate about, so I am interested in finding where a students musical passion exists, and incorporating it into lesson plans and assignments. I do not tolerate shortcuts, but rely on positive reinforcement to encourage students to develop their skills thoroughly. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

My teaching experience began in college as I began to help teach some of my peers that were interested in taking up saxophone as a hobby. I realized immediately that I had a passion for connecting people to their passion for music and wanted to continue doing that. I eventually began to teach outside of school in the homes of interested students in the Washington, D.C. area. By doing this I was approached to work in DC public schools as an aid to the music programs that were both established and just beginning by giving individual and group instruction to the students. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Saxophone Flute Clarinet French Horn Oboe Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I am a passionate and motivated instructor who loves working with students and helping plant and grow a love for music. I got a degree in music from NOVA Community College in 2012 and am working on my BM from George Mason in Music Education. Right now, I perform all over the NOVA area with many community bands, a personal sax quartet, and I am even a part of a Balalaika Symphony Orchestra. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

For beginning elementary and middle school students I usually use Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. Once my student has a working knowledge of the fundamentals, I introduce music that will build confidence and keep the student's interest. Although I am using a method book, it is just a guide. Along the way, I may supplement the book with other exercises to work on specific techniques. For adults, I first assess my student's skill level, and we talk about goals and a realistic practice schedule. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet Oboe

Playing music has been such a large part of my life, my goal is to try and cultivate that experience in my students. First and foremost, the student needs to enjoy themselves! How can someone make beautiful music if they do not enjoy music lessons? I believe that music can be learned by building one lesson on top of the other, so each lesson will have a specific, reachable goal in mind, which will usually build on what was worked on the previous lesson. Read More