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MEd, Portland State University, Curriculum and Instruction BA, Portland State University, Music BA, Western Washington University, Broadcast Communications
2005-2006 - Outstanding American Teacher, National Honor Roll
1996 - Performed in a workshop with Abbey Connant. portland State University
I am extremely passionate about music and about passing on my love and knowledge to others. So much so that I gave up a promising career in the television industry to return to school, get my music and education degrees, and become a middle school band director. I have performed with the Beacock Swing Band, the Southwest Washington Wind Symphony, the NoPo Swing Band, Portland state University's Jazz band and Wind Ensemble, and Clark College's Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble. I have been a pit musician for The New Blue Parrot Theatre Company, Peanut Gallery Theater Company and many others. I also direct the Vancouver Pops Orchestra and sing with Pacific Arts Ensemble.
I started my teaching career as a Water Safety Instructor for the City of Vancouver. Many years later, I realized that being a teacher is what I was put on this earth to do. I began teaching privately while in music school and continued, off and on, through most of my experience teaching band and choir in the public schools.
I typically will start students with excercises of my own creation. I then will add either Esssential Elements, or Rubanks Elelmentary Method depending on the learning style of the student. we will play duets from Amsdens Celebrated Practice Duets, or Selected Duests for trombone vol. 1 or 2 by H. Voxman. If students are interested in jazz, we will practice with How to Play Jazz and Improvise by Jamey Abersold and play chord changes using irealpro.
My philosophy is, music is fun! I keep lessons light and friendly. I encourage questions. If a student doesn't understand a concept, I can probably describe it in a few different ways. but to save time, ask questions! I believe in honest praise and warm criticism. There are no bad vibes in my studio!
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