Saxophone Lessons in Lake Balboa, CA

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

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder Fiddle French Horn Piccolo Oboe

For stringed instruments, I uses the Suzuki method for teaching the basic repertory of the instruments. This method is an ear training method in which the student plays by ear. It starts out very simple so students of all ages can learn and progress very quickly. For learning to read music I use one of the method books like "A Tune a day" or Strictly Strings which teach the fundamentals of read music and music theory. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Saxophone Electric Guitar Djembe Acoustic Guitar

Every person is different as every student is different, so I make a point to cater to the individual and not get locked into an umbrella method of teaching. I make myself available to each student to ask questions and get the most information out of whatever subject we might be discussing/learning. I make sure that each students needs get met by determining on day 1 of lessons what they want to get out of music and the instrument they are learning. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Music

I started playing saxophone when I was 7 years old. Now I have more than 20 years of performance experience. I have both a bachelors degree from Xian Conservatory of Music in classical music and a masters degree from California Institute of Arts in jazz. I can play all kinds of music and make a good balance between classical music and jazz music. In China, I have participated in many orchestras and held the position of chief saxophone player. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Saxophone Drums Mallet Percussion

Teaching the most basic concepts in how to build a chord or a scale by using formulas is my favorite way to approach the lesson. An individual's understanding of music is always changing therefore I feel it is better to change with them. Using methods which are proven is important, but the idea of improvisation during a lesson always keeps the interest for me and the student. Of course this depends completely on the age and the experience of a student. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

I have always been naturally drawn to listening and playing music. Music brings me joy and as a teacher my goal is to inspire students to experience the same joy I get from making music. I studied jazz and classical music at Eastman School of Music and focused on jazz during my master's degree at the University of Miami. From being a student of many great jazz educators I have learned several effective teaching methods. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute

I absolutely love seeing the look on a students face when they are happy with what they are playing or learning. There is nothing that makes me more proud than to see my student improve and look back at how much progress they have made since they started. It's extremely important that I help my students move at a pace that they want to move at. I know that giving a student praise for doing an exceptional job is important when progressing, however, giving constructive criticism is also very important. Read More