Joseph D
Instruments: Trumpet
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Musical Theater, Showtunes, Latin Jazz

I believe teaching is one of the most important things I can do to 'give back' in music. I've had the great fortune of studying with some of the best trumpet teachers in the world. Being able to share my experiences, the challenges I've faced, and how I've addressed them with the guidance of those teachers and applying that to the specific needs of a student is incredibly gratifying. I first began teaching in High School and since my return to the instrument, have maintained a small studio practice with students of all ages and abilities.

Every student is different, so in my view, every student will have a different path he or she takes- it's my job to provide the map. As such, there are some standard pedagogical tools I use- Arban, Schlossberg, Clarke, etc.- but I'll often customize certain things to create greater learning value and to address a particular challenge or musical interest. For beginning students, there's the additional challenge of learning a new language- musical notation, fingerings, etc. To address this sometimes I use flash cards, fun quizzes, and even donuts! The one thing I'm most insistent upon is tone. Playing the right notes is one thing, but music is about sound, so I emphasize making every note beautiful, rich, centered, and in-tune. I encourage my students to ask, "Am I making my best sound right now?" and work with them to answer, "Yes!"