Saxophone Lessons in Burlington, NC

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Ukulele

During my years of teaching in East Lansing Michigan my band programs continually earned first and second division ratings at festivals. We took trips to Chicago every other year to see the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and to do a workshop at Northwestern University and my students received first and second division ratings at Solo and Ensemble both at the district and state levels. I was a judge for solo and ensemble and band festivals. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Saxophone Drums Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion Music Djembe

My teaching experience has been for as long as I've been playing. Before studying any particular type of pedagogical approach, I've always had the gift and desire to share what I know with others. Formalized study has simply given me specific nomenclature for things. Having said that, my pedagogical approach is simple...discern how the student learns and give them the information clearly in that fashion. There are some people who are very literal and need specific details, whereas there are some who work well with general instruction and prefer to feel things out viscerally. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet Piccolo Oboe English Horn

For beginning students, we will spend a good amount of the first few lessons in developing core fundamentals. Once we have a solid foundation, I will start to add in some exercises. I work out of many books to expose my students to different methods of playing. For more advanced students, I will work with them on developing more characteristic sounds. We will also dive into deeper topics such as tone color, articulation style, and period specific styles. Read More

Instruments: Voice Trumpet Saxophone Flute Clarinet

My teaching experience includes serving as a middle school band director, high school band director, middle school choir director, high school choir director, elementary school general music and choir teacher, and elementary school clarinet teacher. The youngest student I've ever taught was six years old, and I'm happy to work with children, adolescents, and adults. During undergrad in college, I also worked the music theory tutoring lab giving theory lessons to college students, so if a high school student is studying music theory, I would be able to assist with that as well. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Music

I typically start out young students with the Essential Elements books, although I also like the Rubank books. If the students are enrolled in a band program, I try to go with the book used in school, while adding in supplemental material as I see necessary. I try to introduce numerous etude books including Ferling, Klose, and Rascher as a progression out of the method books previously mentioned. I try to discuss the interests of my students often to assess what will be an appropriate next step in their musical selection for them to make sure its challenging without causing an overreach and breakdown of their fundamentals Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Recorder Keyboard Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Additionally, I will spend time sorting through my students. And when I find a student that has an ability to do a specific musical task, I will usually nurture the student in that regard. For example, if I have a student that plays guitar at Home, he will usually be very willing to play guitar at school as well. I will find that student and offer him that opportunity in most cases. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

Presentation is everything when it comes to teaching. My teaching style varies from student to student. After teaching in the public school system for five years, I have learned that no two students are the same. I have learned that presentation and variety is the key to successful learning. My set goals are realistic and encourage the student to strive for excellence. Although I have a Master's degree, I feel like a lifetime music student. Read More