Trombone Lessons in Lakeshore Learning, CA

Instruments: Trombone

For beginning trombone students, I start by introducing the student to the basics: the mouthpiece by itself. Getting comfortable with producing clear, sustatined tones through the mouthpiece is the key to producing smooth, gorgeous melodies on the whole trombone. I start the first 10-15 minutes of every lesson just on the mouthpiece, and then have the student play unmeasured sustained notes (called "long tones"), exploring the range of the instrument. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone French Horn

 I formally began teaching private lessons fifteen years ago and love to see the rapid musical growth that can be achieved with focused one-on-one instruction. For the last ten years, I have been a band, orchestra, and choir director at the middle school level in the Long Beach Unified School District.  This experience has helped me to streamline my music teaching process and become a much more efficient teacher in private lessons. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer Harp Accordion Harmonica Lap Steel Guitar Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Recorder Lute Electric Violin Fiddle Double Bass Euphonium French Horn Tuba Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Shakuhachi Oboe Bassoon English Horn Conga Latin Percussion Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Derek is most known for his association with the John Daversa Big Band. Derek has had the pleasure of meeting and performing with many of his musical heroes. He has recorded live and studio albums with Arturo Sandoval, Jon Faddis, John Fedchock, James Morrison, Greg Gisbert, Roger Ingram, Paul Stephens, Scott Englebright, Donny Dyess, the Tastee Bros, Bernard Wright, Gene Coye, Steve Reid, Kate Reid, Melvin Butler, Ed Calle, Richard Todd, Mike Brignola, Alex Norris, Dante Luciani, John Hart, Martin Bejerano, Chuck Bergeron, Rick Margitza, and appears on the Gary Lindsay album "Are We Still Dreaming" with the South Florida Jazz Orchestra. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Ukulele Euphonium Tuba

Each student is unique and requires a customized approach to realize their goals. I don't believe in a "one size fits all" approach to students where they all play the same exercises, etudes, etc. I help students find what works for them, often times we create our own methods or modify existing ones to suit the needs of the pupil. I believe a solid foundation in the fundamentals of music can be very helpful, familiarity with music theory/terminology/notation. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Euphonium Tuba

One of the pillars of learning that I hold to from my own experience as a private lesson student is the pursuit of excellence. I have been teaching individual lessons consistently for the last 8 years, and in that time I have learned that no two students are alike. I understand that each student requires my individual attention and focus and through that focus I make it a priority to learn how my student learns in order to provide the best, most fun experience they can have learning music and developing their skills. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trombone Synthesizer Keyboard

My aim as an instructor is to help each student progress in their own goals an aspirations by adapting and providing the information necessary to be set on a path directed towards his or her individual journey within music. I prefer having a good balance between technical facility of the instrument and the study of the music itself, whether that be in understanding a genres history, improvising and creating music, or transcribing and listening to music within the field of directed study. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Euphonium Tuba

I am a very patient teacher and I understand that students learn at different paces. Therefore I set realistic goals that the student can achieve and WANT to achieve. By setting a goal they can and want to achieve through 10-15 minute practices over 3, 4, 5, or even 6 days a week, it pushes the student to put in the minimal work to progress and grow to be the musician they want too be or even didn't know they could be. Read More