Ben T
5.0
(2)
Instruments: Trumpet
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Musical Theater, Latin, Salsa, Showtunes, Latin Jazz, Swing, Samba, Bossa Nova, Marching Band
Ben T
5.0
(2)
Instruments: Trumpet
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Musical Theater, Latin, Salsa, Showtunes, Latin Jazz, Swing, Samba, Bossa Nova, Marching Band
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 10-80
BM, East Tennessee State University, Trumpet Performance
2003-2005 - Band Fellowship, University of South Carolina 1999-2002 - Llamar Alexander Scholarship 1994 - East Tennessee State University Scholarship 1993 - Brevard Music Center Music Scholarship
I am a diverse and appreciative musician that plays and teaches trumpet well. My degree is a Bachelors of Music in performance from East Tennessee State University. I have played trumpet for 30 years and taught it for 10. I have had the privilege of participating in ensembles all over the US from South Carolina to Alaska and am always grateful for opportunities to keep performing as a major part of my life. I have played in jazz bands, pit orchestras for musicals, symphony orchestras, wind ensembles, brass quintets, and other various ensembles. I have been featured as a solo trumpeter for bands and orchestras. What I have also learned to love and appreciate are other types of opportunities in music such as being a singer, solo singer in an opera, music director, choir director, artistic director for musicals, composer, private trumpet teacher, and anything else that proves interesting. Music is exciting, and I feel it an honor to be lucky enough to be a part of that world.
I was fortunate in my junior year in high school to be asked by my high school band director if I would teach a beginning trumpet student of his. I took on the challenge, and I quickly discovered that I enjoyed teaching and seeing students grow from what I taught. I continued teaching students throughout my years in college and after. I have a couple philosophies that help me personalize lessons for students and direct them to their ambitions. One is that I help them reach an “Aha!” moment that convinces them that they can do anything. They can do anything even more quickly if they work with and listen to what I share with them. The second is that I inspire each of them to perform at their best at all times. That inspiration is based solely on what the student sees as inspiring. Once I find what works for the student, I get them to the “Aha!” moments very quickly and effectively. I love teaching, and I love seeing the fruits of my labors and successes of my students. I will whatever it takes to help them reach potentials beyond their imaginations.
My goal in lessons is to teach students how to practice. So in my lessons I show them methods for warm-ups, exercises for workouts to develop range, articulation use, and technical playing. I have each of them learn how to play lyrically and musically. In the background to get them comfortable with playing music well and reading it easily, I work with them on music fundamentals to build a sturdy foundation. I not only teach them things such as scales and how to build them, but I help them get very proficient and comfortable with these skills until they take almost no effort or thought. When they are comfortable in all fundamentals, the rest of reading music becomes very easy. I also ensure each student learns ear-training and singing. If they can sing what is on the page, they know that they are going to play, and that makes them sight-reading stars. I work on solos that challenge and push the students enough to develop their skills but also give them a chance to feel and be successful in performing them well for occasions. I highly encourage my students to audition for any possible opportunity that will challenge them and help them gauge their progress and give them performance opportunities.
I believe in ensuring that students get their money’s worth and beyond out of each lesson. Because of that, I will do my best to convey and articulate each message I give them as clearly and accurately as possible. I also am very upfront with students about their progress, their issues, and what it will take to get them to the next level. I respect my students, and I respect their time and efforts. I video lessons and send them to students for sake of review. I also have online tools to send them extra notes to help retain what was taught in each lesson and help them in their individual practice time. Music is much like math where one skill leads to another which leads to another, and they all have to be retained. So I work to ensure students retain and know what is taught by heart. I push my students and ask the world of them, and I am good at knowing how hard to push. They almost always perform to what I ask or beyond.
Julie
Ben is such a great instructor for all ages. He really loves music and inspires that love in his students.
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