Saxophone Lessons in Chippewa Lake, OH

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Euphonium French Horn Tuba

My teaching experience has covered various situations, styles, and instruments. During my undergraduate work I taught general music at an elementary school, and did my student teaching as an instrumental teacher in an elementary school, and as a band teacher in a middle school. In my junior year I spent three weeks teaching in Uganda, where I taught high school aged beginners and intermediate brass and percussionists. During my graduate degree I taught students of various levels and ages privately, and also taught the Trumpet Techniques class, where I taught non trumpet playing music education majors the basics of how to play trumpet as well as how to teach it in their future classrooms. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Saxophone Flute Clarinet

My approaches change depending on a students age, experience, and personality. Every student is unique and has their own musical language to develop and it is my philosophy that unique students require unique approaches. All of that being said, I utilize lesson time as efficiently as possible to give students the tools they need to progress in their own solo practice. One of my teachers once said "I am only your teacher for an hour each week, that means for 167 hours a week you are your own teacher." This adage shaped my approach to lessons so that I can give students the ability to practice as effectively as possible. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Euphonium French Horn

I have accompanied my students on stage with Audra McDonald in Chicago, and I have had students move on to professional and semi-professional careers in classical music and music theater. A few years back, one of my voice students landed a major role in one of the most successful movie-musicals in recent history. My production of Little Shop of Horrors from Manalapan High School in NJ is the most viewed amateur production of that show on YouTube. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

My experience starts when I was attending college. I started working at a private school in the great Cleveland area teaching both clarinet and saxophone. I stayed at that school for the next 15 years practicing my craft of teaching. Encouraging regular practice on a consistent basis is one of the fundamentals I try to teach my young students. My goal for my students is they not only learn the instrument in lessons is that they also have a good time while practicing. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

Taught and performed for for 30 years... But seeing and hearing is believing, I've posted a video of me playing ajazz demonstration of a Hubert Laws composition.. This was part of my therapy after open heart surgery and a mini stroke.. Some doctors believe as a musician the use of both sides of my brain may have contributed to a speedy recovery..I believe my 7th cranial nerve damage, completely paralyzing the left side of my face, was healed by the Grace of God, first, and the gift He gave me called Music. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

For most students, I use the Rubank Method books as a foundation for basic fundamentals of the instrument. I use Jamey Aebersold's books as a foundation for jazz and popular music when students are ready. After that, I like giving my students individual work that is tailored to their needs like solos, jazz tunes, and more. I also challenge my students to take control of their learning by being resourceful. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Organ Piccolo

I use the Alfred Piano series for most of my piano students. Woodwind students will use either Rubank or Hal Leonard series of books. During the first lesson, I will clarify the student's goals and needs and choose a book accordingly. I also add finger warm-ups and breathing exercises. Students are encouraged to pick a song from their own choosing to learn as a "fun-song". I try to cover these three things in every lesson, however I am flexible to meet the goals of my students. My professional motto is that I will do "Whatever it takes" for my students to succeed. Read More