Andy A
Instruments: Saxophone
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Rock, Blues, R&B, Latin Jazz, Marching Band, Avant-garde
Andy A
Instruments: Saxophone
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Rock, Blues, R&B, Latin Jazz, Marching Band, Avant-garde
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 10-80
BM, University of Tennessee at Martin, Saxophone Pedagogy MM in progress, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Saxophone Performance
2016 UT Martin Performing Artist of the Year 2016 UT Martin Concerto Contest Winner 2016 UT Martin Community Music Academy Teacher of the Year Marca Reeds Endorsing Artist Marmaduke Music Endorsing Artist
I am a non traditional master's student who returned to earn a music degree in my forties. I have taken a year off from master's work to transfer to a different program. I've been fortunate enough to study or perform in master classes with some of the biggest names in the saxophone world. My primary professors have been Allen Rippe, Douglas Owens, and Mark McArthur. I've also have limited study with Donald Sinta as well as jazz studies with Adam Shroeder. I've been fortunate enough to perform in masterclasses for James Houlik, Donald Sinta, Chris Creviston, Joe Lulloff, Preston Duncan, Eddie Goodman, Dick Oatts, and others. I publish a music blog, which has had over 25000 views. I consider every genre of saxophone playing to be part of the voice of the instrument and embrace all styles. I have a positive, fundamentals driven teaching the philosophy with the goal of the student being able to get out of their own way and simply enjoy making music.
I first taught lessons in my years at the University of Memphis, some years ago. During this period one of my students was awarded the top alto saxophone chair in the Mississippi All State high school band. I began teaching again during my tenure at UT Martin. During this time I placed students into the All West Tennessee Junior and Senior High School Bands as well as the Tennessee All State Band. As a result I was named the UTM Community Music Academy's 2016 Teacher of the Year. While in Las Vegas I taught not only high school and middle school students but was the teacher for UNLV's non music major saxophonists as well. In 2017 I was one of the judges for the Clark County (Nevada) Honor Bands. During this time I also got classroom experience as the band director and general music teacher at International Christian Academy of Las Vegas.
My philosophy is fundamentals based but flexible enough to be structured around the needs of the student. I try to keep the student engaged with a variety of exercises to keep the work interesting and as fun as possible. I strive to be as positive and encouraging as possible. I don't train students to make honor bands. That's not the reason to take lessons. Instead, I try to make sure the student is developed to the point where honor bands are nearly a given. I want the student to not have technique, tonal, or intonation based deficiencies interfere with the joy they get out of playing. I include basic theory and ear training exercises as well as improvisation work. Even if the student has zero interest in jazz, the exercises improve the student's ability to critically listen. Finally, I assign listening examples for the student so they have an idea of what music sounds like when performed by virtuoso level performers. I don't just have the students listen to the saxophone but a variety of instruments. Saxophonists can learn just as much from listening to Jascha Heifitz or Pablo Casals as they can Tim McAllister or John Coltrane.
I'm of the opinion that students desire instant feedback but also need to be frequently reminded that learning an instrument is a journey which can take a lifetime if one desires to do so. I ask a lot of leading questions so the student might be able to work out the 'whys' to go along with the 'hows'. I expect my students to work hard as they are paying to improve on their instrument. With that said, I try to be mindful that students, especially school age students, usually have a lot going on in their lives and that there are only so many hours to balance with school work and other activities. I encourage instead of scold. I never use the phrase 'because I said so'. If I say that then I haven't effectively communicated as a teacher.
Check out our A+
Rating from the Better Business Bureau
100% Risk-Free Trial Lesson
If you are not satisfied after your trial lesson, you will not be charged and we can match you with another teacher.