Thomas W
Instruments: Piano, Voice, Violin, Viola, Trumpet, Trombone, Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, Drums, Bass Guitar, Recorder, Euphonium, French Horn, Tuba, Piccolo, Mallet Percussion, Orchestral Percussion, Oboe, Bassoon
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&b, Gospel, Musical Theater, Opera, Latin, Funk, Hip Hop, Electronic, Flamenco, Salsa, Showtunes, Spirituals, Reggae, Merengue, Latin Jazz, Swing, New Age, Samba, Bossa Nova, Soul, Marching Band, Punk, Mariachi, Avant-Garde

I started playing at about the age of three. I had several family memeber who played semi-professionally part time. I would accompany them to rehearsals and gigs. As I grew older I started singing and playing along with the groups. While attending college I toured and played with different bandsAlthough I was already gigging, I was very much interested in Big band, Jazz, and Fusion and wanted to sharpen my skills in reading charts and improvisation. This honsestly with the help and mentoring of my Professor Dr. Heizen, turned out to be the best learning expereince. During these years of study I was gigging and recording with everyone I could. I studied music theor/ compostiiton, guitar, and piano with several of the fine musicians I met along the way. Since then my on the job training has spread across all styles of music; rock, blues, jazz, fusion, theater, and playing with a number of big bands, including several years of touring.

After over 7+ years of teaching and over 20+ years of musical expereince, I have combined the use of numerous books into my own method. Much of what I have learned also comes from personal expereince. I use audio tracks I record in my studio to give students the experience of playing with other musicians.  They practice with their instrument in the track, and I also give them a track without their instrument so they get the feel of being the drummer, or the keyboard player, or the guitarist. No matter what instrument they are studying, they learn music theory, and how to read.