Saxophone Lessons in Startup, WA

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

I encourage students to embrace a fun, focused and low-stress approach to their instrument. I am all about working with my students to discover their unique interests and goals - whether that's nailing their jazz band audition, joining a rock band, preparing a classical piece for a competition, exploring creativity and improvisation, or simply playing at home for their own enjoyment. Im grateful to work with each of my unique students, and to be able to share my passion for music with students of all ages, all backgrounds, and all experience levels. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet

For my younger students I usually start with major and minor scales tied in with simple to challenging etudes. I do not have a specific book that I work out of, though if the student has one that they work out of I would be happy to accommodate. For adults I usually have the same approach, but we will focus more on a specific genre or style that they may want to emulate. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Shakuhachi Conga

I have very high standards for teaching.That is why I did not start teaching until my fourties.At that point I felt that I had both the life experience and skills to be a good teacher.There is a lot more to playing music than just playing the right notes.That is what I call the mechanics of music but the not the soul.Obviously you must start with the basics to get to any deeper level of expression.That is what I am most passionate about.Why does anyone want to play an instrument? Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

Over the years I have truly been lucky to have music take me all sorts of places I had never imagined it could, and so I can only hope to help others in their journey as well. I for one have been able to maintain my fascination and love of music by setting specific learning goals, just slightly ahead of my skill level. Most of the time this turns me towards the greats of the past, as so many jazz musicians have done before. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet

I teach not only how to play the instrument proficiently, but how to play it musically. Techniques and proficiency are taught along side musicianship, expression and appreciation for all musical styles. Students are also assigned a Question of the Week and a Listening Assignment to enhance their knowledge of their instrument, its function in music, and about music as a whole. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

I knew from the day I heard my middle school band teacher playing his saxophone that that was what I wanted to do. The passion has only continued to grow for me, and I want to pass my knowledge and passion onto my students. I graduated from Western Washington University in 2016 with a BA in music and a minor in audio recording. Upon graduating, I quickly immersed myself in the music scene of Bellingham by joining two local bands, both of which recorded albums that I am featured on and contributed some of my song writing abilities to. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute

My teaching method is tailored to the desired goal of the student. I commonly employ classical fundamentals, which provide the student with tools needed to play the instrument. These fundamentals include: long-tones (for tone production), scales (for technique), overtone series (for the low/high range of the instrument) and reading music. From here, each lesson is modified to the particular student's goals, whether that is improvisation, playing jazz, performing classical literature, exploring experimental music, etc. Read More