Saxophone Lessons in La Tijera, CA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Saxophone Drums Mallet Percussion

When teaching I always discuss the interest the student has first. I can adjust to any method of teaching. Once we establish their goals, I make suggestions of various ideologies. I prefer to create the lessons weekly, and use the idea of theory, harmony, melody and rhythm as a building block in order to enable a student to move at their own pace. I start a student from the point where they are in terms of theory. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Saxophone Euphonium

For beginning students, my primary resource is generally the purple Primer level Faber book, however I often use principles of teaching from Simply Music and Piano Safari that allow beginning students to get right into playing some very interesting songs without having to read them. I think reading is important, don't get me wrong. However, I think that the ability to be versatile on the sounds of the piano without the abstraction of music notes can be very helpful for fostering a love for music early on. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

As an instructor at an after-school music academy, I coached jazz ensembles ranging in size from big band to combo and taught private saxophone lessons. From teaching students of most age levels, I have learned several approaches to teaching jazz music and improvisation. Connecting with each student in a way they understand and find enjoyable almost always leads to quicker and more satisfying results for the student. I am currently a teaching artist for the Herbie Hancock Institute through UCLA. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Synthesizer

I have been blessed with patient and understanding mentors throughout my musical career and so I too want to give that to my students! Every child and every adult should be treated as if they have the potential to be the next great Duke Ellington or Stravinsky; every individual has a mass of potential that is just waiting to be drawn out and that is what I look for. I don't try to make the student to conform to my standards. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

For most students of younger age, the problem is to keep being interested in music. This is because music has been taught in the method of reading from sheet. Being able to read music is important, but what's more important is being able to hear music correctly. During the past few years, I found students often being interested in listening to music more than reading a written chart. I teach students not only how to read music, but also hearing it, playing along with it, because after really trying to hear music, my students do have a better interest in music. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Saxophone Electric Guitar Djembe Acoustic Guitar

I began teaching guitar lessons back in 2008 and have been doing so for almost 10 years. After my bachelors I was then hired by the Community Arts Partnership through CalArts and have been teaching/facilitating workshops throughout Los Angeles teaching West African drumming, singing and dance. I have taught all ages from kindergarten to adults. I have also had the privilege to teach in the Juvenile Justice System, The Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and other community based centers throughout Los Angeles. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer Harp Accordion Harmonica Lap Steel Guitar Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Recorder Lute Electric Violin Fiddle Double Bass Euphonium French Horn Tuba Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Shakuhachi Oboe Bassoon English Horn Conga Latin Percussion Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

He is featured on the John Daversa Big Band's latest studio album, "American Dreamers". As a grad student at Miami, Derek was a guest lecturer in Jazz Pedagogy courses and guest conducted the Frost Studio Jazz Band. He has been a member of the Jazz Education Network since 2013 and the International Trombone Association since 2014. His teachers include Vern Kagarice, Jan Kagarice, Tony Baker, Steve Wiest, Andre Hayward, and Dante Luciani. Read More