Saxophone Lessons in Community, VA

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

My methods are unique to each student and allow for every student to develop as a complete musician and begin making music as soon as possible. I am committed to helping develop all around musicians who are both proficient in the technical aspects of their individual instruments as well as knowledgeable about the theoretical aspects of creating music. I often use simple songs that the student knows as the catalyst to developing the students understanding of basic music concepts and ideas. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Saxophone Flute Clarinet Acoustic Guitar

I found love when I learned to make music. I have been playing saxophone since elementary school and even focused my college studies around it, graduating with honors from Florida AM University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Jazz Studies and Commercial Music. I've had a wide range of experiences through music from Superbowl appearances to touring China as a musical ambassador for the 2008 Olympic games. I've performed with a number of well known jazz and classically trained musicians including the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet Music

My teaching philosophy encourages exploration of music with a focus on the uniqueness of each individual student and their particular aspirations, typically emphasizing reading classical music and improvising solos for Jazz or other more contemporary styles while having fun growing as a musician! I try to make sure lessons are fun and rewarding by adapting my teaching style to focus on the student's learning style and interests. For jazz students I encourage a lot of back and forth play-a-long between myself and the student or between the student and a play-a-long track. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

It is very important to me for students to have fun in lessons. That's my number one priority! Students who are enjoying playing their instrument are more likely to stick with it. My passion for music shines through in private lessons when I focus all of my energy on the one student. Watching the student grow and succeed is one of the greatest things about teaching. I am able to figure out what a student likes very quickly and use that to connect with them. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder

My methods vary between each student. For beginning students, that are not learning in a school setting, I typlically start with Hal Lenard's Essential Elements For Band. Once the student had progressed, I will start to introduce solo repetoire that the student will be instested in, which could be pop tunes or other type of music. This will encourage the student's passion for music to grow. If the student is in a school setting, then the student will work on all of the music for school and solo repetoire. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

It is very important for the music instructor to learn the nature and characteristics of his/her students. It is crucial that the teacher can make adjustments to teach according to the nature of their students, some students can learn really fast and may have a desire to be pushed harder, but many students are either normal or may require a longer time to digest the material. I encourage students to practice in order to help their progress and I always model for students in the lesson. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Saxophone Clarinet Recorder

My philosophical statement is that every child or adult should have the right to learn and gain a quality musical education no matter what their racial or sexual or religious identities etc maybe. I also encourage the importance of allowing each student to work at their own pace as they strive to achieve their goals of being a professional musician. I encourage this by working with each student to set realistic goals via the SMART method at each lesson. Read More