Trombone Lessons in Cheesman Park, CO

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet

My teaching experience began in Webster, South Dakota as their high school band director for 11 years. I was then invited to move back to my college town of Brookings, South Dakota to be their middle school band director. I moved to Sioux Falls and taught in the Catholic School System for a number of years. Then I was fortunate to teach my last 11 years in beautiful southern California where I taught instrumental music at elementary to high school levels. Read More

Instruments: Trombone

For beginning students I teach the fundamentals: holding the instrument, explaining how it works, and then how to make a sound. I focus on sound first and foremost, trying to make a pure sound, and then hearing and being able to understand how the instrument works. I don't get into simply reading exercises until the student has a firm grasp and enthusiasm for the instrument. With older students I work with what their goals are; for example if All-State Band is the goal we focus on playing band excerpts and the level of fundamentals needed to get there. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trombone Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Euphonium Tuba Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Keyboard

I have taught instrumental music in public schools for 5 years which has included teaching grades 5-12 in subjects such as beginning band, beginning orchestra, intermediate band, intermediate orchestra, marching band, percussion ensembles, and small group/individual instruction. I have been teaching private lessons in drums, piano, and concert band instruments for 10 years. I have been a performing member of rock bands, concert bands, orchestras, jazz bands, marching bands, choirs, and percussion ensembles, so I have a very diverse knowledge base which gives me the ability to adapt my instruction as a teacher to meet the needs of any student's goals and aspirations. Read More

Instruments: Trombone Euphonium Tuba

For beginning students, I start with the fundamental book that they use at school in their band class. If the student is not in a class yet, I would recommend starting with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. I also have a collection of fundamentals and warm ups that I have saved from my middle school, high school, and college years that I will use with students depending on ability level. For students of all ages and ability levels, I have found it to be helpful to know what kind of music they are interested in and incorporate that into my lessons. Read More

Instruments: Voice Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Recorder Euphonium French Horn Tuba Oboe Bassoon

When taking on beginner students, I typically use a blend of method books and novice musical pieces to begin to build musicianship. With intermediate musicians, I tend to seek out anything of interet to the student while incorporating harder repertoire to strengthen musicianship and to continue to peek interest in music. With adult musicians, I let them guide me to their area of interest, and I capitalize on that to guide them to better musicianship, no matter what their skill level may be. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Euphonium French Horn Tuba

When I'm working with beginning students, my defaul method book is Essential Elements. However, if students have another book for a school band class, I am more then happy to work with them to preserve some line of consistency in the students education. As they progress, I look to find more advanced etude and solo books, focusing on music that is of interest to the student. Practicing music should be fun, and I try to make it fun, while maintaining an emphasis on fundamentals and musicianship. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Euphonium French Horn Tuba Music

The key goal for me as a teacher is making sure that my student is enjoying what they're doing. Music is supposed to be fun after all! I achieve this by allowing my student to progress at their own pace while they develop both their knowledge of music and their enjoyment of the craft. I like to really dig into fundamentals by making sure that they are FUNdamentals! A student will learn more if they are enjoying the process, and that is key to making a long lasting impact, and instilling in a student that they will have all the tools they need to become the best musician they can. Read More