Saxophone Lessons in Oakmont, PA

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Clarinet Ukulele Euphonium French Horn Music

For young students or beginners, I start with a lesson book such as Essential Elements or Accent on Achievement. Each of these methods series have multiple books that the student can progress through. Once they have reached a certain level of understanding, I will sprinkle in songs that they know and enjoy, such as Disney songs, pop songs, etc. For high school students, I start with famous repertoire for their instrument or more advanced pieces they are interested in. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute

I grew up in Georgia fully embracing my band nerd. I started playing the saxophone in middle school and took weekly lessons. This led me to go on to college to study music. The saxophone lends itself to play in all genres like jazz and even classical music. I bring a mix of these into the lessons I teach to help students become well versed in saxophone literature. I am also a flute player who can work with beginnrs and intermediate players. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

For classical studies, there are some standard saxophone repertoire books I like to go to. For brand new students, I use Essential Elements books, for intermediate students I use Rubank method books, and for advanced students I use the Ferling etude book. For jazz studies, I begin students with Lenny Neihaus' Jazz Conception for Saxophone, which lays a great foundation for jazz and swing playing. After this, I do a lot of ear training and memorization exercises for tunes, and talk about chord-scale theory. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

I have been playing and gigging jazz music since I was right around 11. I work to make the saxophone into a multi-dimensional extension of myself. I was exposed to bands like Circa Survive and Lydia around the same time I was getting into monster players like Chris Potter, Kenny Garrett, and Chick Corea. My first love is pop music, so folks like Max Martin, Justin Timberlake and Panic! at the Disco are direct influences. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

I want to help every student achieve their personal goals in music, whether it is to work on school music, learn a new instrument or become a professional musician. I encourage structure in the lessons, but am flexible to work on the students needs. I focus on helping students create their best possible sound and communicate with expression. I want my students to perform and experience live performances. I provide serval venues and ensembles where I perform as well as other performances happening in the Pittsburgh area. 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 Flute

Students have the most fun and learn the most when they are doing what they would like to do. This doesn't mean that the fundamentals aren't important but when it comes to the pieces and etudes we study the student will play what they would like to play. If I pick a piece that the student simply doesn't like then I will work with them to figure out what piece is suitable for them and help them get the most enjoyment from it. Read More