Brian H
Instruments: Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Gospel, Musical Theater, Latin, Funk, Salsa, Showtunes, Spirituals, Reggae, Merengue, Latin Jazz, Swing, Samba, Bossa Nova, Soul, Marching Band, Punk, Avant-garde
Brian H
Instruments: Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Gospel, Musical Theater, Latin, Funk, Salsa, Showtunes, Spirituals, Reggae, Merengue, Latin Jazz, Swing, Samba, Bossa Nova, Soul, Marching Band, Punk, Avant-garde
Where I Teach:
In Your Home
Online
Ages Taught: 9-80
ABOUT
Degrees / Training / Special Info:
BM, Saxophone Performance (plus classical clarinet study), University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire MM coursework, Jazz Studies (plus classical flute study), University of North Texas
Awards:
2008-2011: Member of UW-Eau Claire Jazz Ensemble 1 (all saxes plus flute/clarinet/bass clarinet doubles) 2010: Featured alto saxophone soloist with UW-Eau Claire Symphony Orchestra 2013-2014: Member of UNT 1:00 Lab Band (baritone sax + flute/clarinet/bass clarinet doubles)
Overview:
Hello, my name is Brian and I am a woodwind (saxophone/clarinet/flute) instructor based in Minneapolis. I have studied music at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and the University of North Texas, and during my collegiate tenure I took lessons on both classical and jazz saxophone, classical clarinet and classical flute, as well as having participated in a number of both classical and jazz ensembles. Since college, I have performed professionally in a wide variety of genres, including jazz, salsa/Afro-Cuban, pop/rock/top 40, gospel, folk, blues, funk, ska and musical theater. I spent 2 years on the road with a musical theater tour company, performing various woodwinds in the pit orchestras for the musicals Flashdance, Elf, and Shrek, and I also spent 4 weeks on a holiday tour with MN-based pianist Lorie Line and her Pop Chamber Orchestra (playing 6 different woodwinds). I currently freelance in a variety of bands/styles around the Twin Cities, including the Twin Cities Latin Jazz Orchestra, Soul Shack, Machinery Hill, and the Brass Barn Polka Band, as well as in pit orchestras for various major local theaters.
EXPERIENCE
I have been teaching since my early days in college (over 10 years), and I absolutely love working with passionate students! I have had students ranging in age from 4th grade to middle-aged adult, and in ability ranging from absolute beginners to collegiate music majors. Many of my students have participated in various honor bands (both jazz and concert), and I have former students who have gone on to become professional music educators and performers. I also have experience working with ensembles, as I spent 3 years at UW-Eau Claire directing first the UWEC Jazz Ensemble 5, and then the Jazz Ensemble 4, and I also spent 3 years as the assistant music director for the UWEC Gospel Choir.
METHODS USED
My primary objective in my teaching is to use the multitude of different musical styles within my arsenal to help each of my students find what type of music they are most interested in learning, and to be the best resource I can to help them achieve his/her musical goals. My beginning students generally work out of the Standard of Excellence Book 1, and then graduate to a combination of the Rubank Intermediate/Advanced Methods combined with a mixture of various jazz methods (Jamey Aebersold, Jim Snidero, etc.) as well as a variety of pop/folk/movie theme collections depending on the interests of the individual student.
LESSON STYLE
I strive to get all of my students to understand not just how to play music, but how to learn how to play music-similar to the old adage "give a man a fish and he can eat today, but teach a man to fish and he can feed himself for the rest of his life". I use a open school-style philosophy of teaching, which revolves around exploration of the music (trial and error, in a sense), as well as encouraging the students to be self-reflective, self-critical, and to ask as many questions as they want to in order to understand each musical concept within the confines of his/her individual learning style.
PHOTOS & VIDEOS
Leave a Review
Leave a Review
RATING & REVIEW
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.