Saxophone Lessons in Topanga, CA

Instruments: Saxophone Flute

With each lesson, I hope to leave students feeling motivated and excited about music. It can take time before a student realizes the joy of playing his/her instrument. I try to get to that point as quickly as possible by making lessons fun, highly interactive, and encouraging. When possible, I encourage and often escort students to local music venues to experience live performances. This is a great tool to motivate and inspire as well as open dialogue about the joys of music.   Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder Piccolo Music

I was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, where my musical journey began at the age of eight with the Flute and Piano. From the moment I started playing, I knew music would be a lifelong passion. By the age of twelve, I had expanded my instrumental repertoire to include the Saxophone and Clarinet. I earned my Bachelors degree in Flute Performance from the University of Arizona, then moved to Los Angeles to pursue a Masters degree at the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), where I discovered a deep love for Contemporary Music. 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: Piano Guitar Violin Saxophone Bass Guitar Organ Acoustic Guitar

I never had a degree in music nor I mastered a musical instrument. It was just my hobby because in my country, music would only offer limited jobs or may not be even considered as a career by many. Until now, I really enjoy playing those different musical instruments but I have decided to focus on piano and saxophone (tenor) because they have been like my first love and true love, respectively. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I believe each indivdual deserves a teaching method that is as unique as their person. No two people are alike and as such no two individuals should be taught in the same manner. I take the student's musical interest and develop that interest into lesson plans that are both challenging and fun! There is so much music in the world to be explored and this music can be explored at any level! Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums French Horn Oboe

I truly believe that all learning, while serious in nature, should be fun and exciting in methodology. Living in the age of technology, there are so many ways to make learning fun and interesting for students. Whether it be sharing information from Youtube, educational sites such as The Teaching Channel, using digital music apps such as "Smart Music" for assessment, showing a student how to record themselves on their smartphones, all of these things can be brought in to the instructional experience. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Synthesizer Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I find that the most effective method with beginners is to color code things in a way that makes sense. I have stickers for this and a chart of what each means. Music is similar to math, and once the student can make proper associations in their head when looking at music or playing an instrument, the rest becomes easier. I typically will have them give me a song they want to learn and make it my goal to teach it to them by the end of the first six months. Read More