Saxophone Lessons in Cedars, PA

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I began teaching private lessons at the beginning of my time at Michigan State University. I have experience teaching all ages and skill levels including very young first timers up to experienced adults. In addition to private lessons, I have taught at the Apprentices in Jazz Workshop in Fort Lauderdale, Florida as a woodwind instructor, improvisation teacher, as well as big band director. While I am most experienced in Jazz, I love playing and teaching all types of music! Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Trumpet Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums

My teaching style revolves around the individual student. Every student must practice daily and enjoy practicing, so astudent's success comes from my encouragement and instruction. Each student brings a desire to learn how to play an instrument and my goal is to assist them in understanding and being able to playthat instrument. I conistently tailor my instruction to the student's ability and also remain consistent in my standards of teaching. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Organ Double Bass Keyboard

I am also the creator of a unique method called "The Seven Secrets of Jazz and Soul" which emphasizes the importance of using simple/easy-to-understand language, even when teaching the most difficult of concepts. I also believe in the importance of "coaching" as opposed to lecturing and try to minimize reading, writing and one-sided lecturing during the lesson. Instead, I sit next to my students, and calmly guide them through the creative process. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder

I love to watch a student fall in love with music. It is very exciting to see the excitement of being able to accomplish a piece of music that they have worked on. I encourage students to find music that they want to learn and to open them up to different styles and history of where the music came from. I come from a classical / jazz background so i am very happy to teach any style that would excite a student. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet Accordion

I typically start woodwind students with the Standard of Excellence Comprehensive Band Method series. I like to use the Faber Piano Adventures Series or the Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course for piano instruction. In addition to the method book, I like to incorporate physical/breathing exercises, supplemental warm-ups, sight-reading, music theory worksheets, and student selected repertoire in lessons. I also encourage students to create their own compositions. In the past, I have digitally recorded many of my students' compositions and have really enjoyed encouraging students to express themselves through original composition. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Keyboard

Great music lessons are a mix of solid technique building and fun application of those skills. I always spend the first few lessons getting the student familiar with the basic technique of the instrument, and then quickly move on to duets, improvising, sight reading, solos, etc. that tie in with the current technique studies. Music can also be heard or read, so I try to strike a balance between reading music/theory and learning/improvising by ear. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

There is nothing more rewarding than seeing a student progress and develop as a musician! In order for students to be successful they need to be encouraged and challenged throughout their musical studies. In order to do this, it is important to focus on the fundamentals of the instrument, as well as music that peeks the interest of the student. By having a mixture of fundamentals and music the students truly enjoys, they become driven and self-motivated. Read More