Saxophone Lessons in Natrona Heights, PA

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Clarinet Ukulele Euphonium French Horn Music

I believe in teaching time management from the start. I will start with a small weekly practice goal, and as the students progress, that goal will increase. Another part of time management is not over- assigning music to practice. At first, I expect the student to practice 2-3 small songs. As they become more confident and comfortable, I will assign 3-4 songs, and so on. Every week should have goals that are achievable and make the student feel accomplished. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

I believe in meeting a student where they are. Stuffy method books and strict teaching regiments are not going to give the same results from each student. Finding music students like to play is a better way to get them excited about playing and will become an entryway into learning the more mundane parts of playing the instrument. After all, the musical concepts I want my students to learn can be found in all kinds of music. Read More

Instruments: Voice Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Clarinet Euphonium Tuba

I am using my experience with Musika to hone my skills as an educator. I have participated in clinics in Japan and Korea, where I developed skills in individual and group instruction. I have worked with sectionals in the army in addition to directing rehearsals. The most important lesson I hope to impart on my students is the necessity of quality over quantity while also maintaining a love for the art of music. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

My teaching experience dates back to my college days as I began teaching as an instructor for a local high school marching band, leading their woodwind sectionals and marching clinics. I began teaching full-time in 1992 and temporarily left full-time teaching in 1998 when my daughter was born. It was at this time that I first opened my home up to teaching privately. This ended up to be a great experience, and when I moved to Texas the following year, I began teaching with the Katy ISD private lesson program with a full-time load of students. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Music Keyboard

As I have taught many students on many different instruments, my focus has been on providing students with a firm foundation, including proper posture, breathing, embouchure, technique, and pitch/rhythm literacy. I have found great success in using the Essential Elements method books, and eventually move on to intermediate and advanced methods, focusing on etudes, scale studies, and solo repertoire. Beyond a traditionally classical approach, I believe strongly in listening to my students to realize what they desire to learn. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

For beginning and intermediate clarinet and saxophone students I like using the Yamaha Advantage books or the Belwin Series. I like to use these lesson books and supplement with solo and duet material. I always encourage my students to bring in material they'd like to work on, from school band music to popular tunes they are intereseted in learning. I think it is important for all aspiring musicians to collaborate with others and make sure to play along with students in our lessons. I ask my students to plan their practice time each week, as I know how busy we all are! Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Ukulele Recorder French Horn Piccolo Orchestral Percussion Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe

For piano students, I prefer Alfred's methods, whether the adult or for beginners. For band and orchestra, I use Essential Elements (or whatever their school is using), and supplement with Rubank's methods. For voice, I concentrate on whatever the student is interested in, with a foundation of good technique and understanding of the voice range and how to control it, with some solfege and sight-singing mixed in. Whatever the instrument, I follow and listen to the student to understand what they need, and change my curriculum to suit them. Read More