Saxophone Lessons Contra Costa County, CA

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

Instruments: Saxophone

I started teaching saxophone performance in 2010 for private students who were looking to improve their skills on the instrument. Starting from my college years, I've been teaching many students performance, arrangement, composition, ear training and harmony. I always put my best effort with every single one of my student. Being a positive and involved teacher helps them feel motivated and makes the learning process much easier. I try to teach as much as I can during my lesson hours but I can easily adjust my pace to make sure the students has a total understanding of the topic. Read More

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, Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet

I grew up in Indianapolis. While in high school, I studied Classical Clarinet with Achille Rossi of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. My interest at this early stage of my career was and still is in Classical Music. I went on to play with many of the All-City and All-State Orchestras.After high school, my interest in jazz began to blossom. I went on to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston, where I was a Performance Major and earned my four year professional performance certificate, studying all aspects of jazz: composition, arranging, and performance. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, Synthesizer, Music

Once I started at Temple University as a duel classical/jazz major, I was able to participate in an extremely wide range of jazz, classical, fusion, funk, rock, and world music ensembles. I also started working as a freelance musician in Philadelphia and along the East Coast. Around this same time (early 1990s), I was able to start teaching private music lessons at a local music store. During my time teaching at this store, I was able to begin to develop my teaching style and quickly discover that I really loved teaching and helping my students progress and have fun playing music. Read More