Saxophone Lessons in Granite Falls, WA

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Shakuhachi Conga

I have been an educator and performer in the Seattle area for over 20 years I enjoy working with beginners as well as more advanced students.I am a very patient teacher who both likes to challenge students but puts a priority on having fun and loving music.I also have been performing in the Northwest for over 30 years.I have been a member and co-founder of jazz,blues,reggae,experimental,and world music bands.I have performed at many venues and festivals around the Northwest including: Earshot jazz festival,Bumbershoot, Folklife, New Works for Saxophone, and many others. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute

I have been teaching for the past ten years. During my undergraduate studies, I had the opportunity to take music pedagogy classes, which have provided the foundation for my current teaching style. I have worked with all ages of students. My goal as an educator is to provide the students with the tools and resources to accomplish their goals, all while demonstrating the joy and inspiration music can bring. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Euphonium French Horn Tuba

Below is a short list of positions that I have held over the last 20 years. I have worked with students grades 3 through 12 in a variety of styles and setting. Student Equity Director & Introductory Instrumental Teacher - Seattle JazzED (www.seattlejazzed.org) 2015 - Present Certified Music Teacher (California and Washington) Music Teacher - Virgil Middle School (Los Angeles, Ca) 2010 - 2015 Asst. Director and Coordinator- Los Angeles Unified School District Honor Marching Band - 1997 - 2015 Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet

For wind instruments, I use the Rubank method books for exercises and whatever band method book is used in the student's school. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute

For beginners, whilst working with a Standard of Excellence book, it's important to take the time to work on things on a smaller level throughout. Although working through the books and going onto the next level is the goal, I find it imperative ensure that the techniques are being fully utilized along the way. For example, we don't want to just read the notes and play along, we want to make sure that articulations, tone, breathing techniques and fingering is also being focused on. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

The goal for me as the teacher is to get the student excited about music while simultaneously improving. I set realistic goals and will work at the pace that each student needs. Understanding their particular learning style is vitally important to the success of music lessons, I do this by listening to students wants and needs and develop a curriculum based off of how it makes sense to them and their brain. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

For methods; it will honestly depend on if the student has been working through something with a prior lesson teacher or after the first lesson and seeing what the interest is in either jazz or classical will go from there. For classical; I would utilize the Rubank method books that I used when doing classical music. For jazz studies, I find it more beneficial to start with the Charlie Parker Omnibook, Realbook, then start learning things by ear and memory depending on the level of the student and the progress we are making. Read More