Trombone Lessons in Port Costa, CA

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Euphonium

I really value input from all of my students no matter what age. This keeps our lessons fun and challenging. It is very important that each student sets their own goals to reach at the end of each lesson to achieve for the next week. I am a big advocate of positive reinforcement. For my younger trumpeters I like to use stickers and to play fun duets whenever they achieve their goals. Read More

Instruments: Trombone Euphonium

I encourage trombone mouthpiece exercises and long tones at the beginning of my lessons as proper embouchure flexibility is important to practicing and playing better. Breathing is another aspect that I look at and always breathe by expanding the diaphragm. I use the essential elements series for trombone beginners and melodious etudes for more experienced trombone players. I believe in breaking down difficult pieces into chunks to work on in order to improve upon more difficult passages. Read More

Instruments: Trombone Euphonium

I assess every student's unique needs to help them achieve their goals. Influenced by teachings of other professional orchestral musicians and teachings of Arnold Jacobs. I take a singing approach to the trombone, putting sound at the forefront of every student's development. For young students, developing a love for music, good fundamentals, and forming good habits are the most important part of the work we do in private lessons. Being an excellent musician is not just about practicing, it is also creating well-rounded, intelligent individuals that have the skills to succeed in all parts of life. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Ukulele Recorder Euphonium French Horn Tuba Music

Making sure that the student is having fun, learning and achieving their musical goals is most important. I understand that each student progresses at their own pace and has diffrent goals and desires. While there are certian excersises that everyone needs to work on, solos and concert pieces are what students are drawn to. Therefore, I make sure that students are working on fun and challenging pieces that will keep them engaged in music. Read More

Instruments: Trombone

I started my teaching career as a private instructor as soon as I entered the Conservatory. Not even two years later, I was appointed to the faculty of the UC Berkeley Young Musician's Program. The Young Musician's Program is designed to offer music and academic private lessons to gifted an underprivileged children. From my time there, I have learned the importance of a positive and encouraging atmosphere in a students' life, regardless of age. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trombone

For three years I was a camp counselor in the La Honda Music Camp (Hayward, CA). As a counselor, I looked after 10-12 middle school-aged girls, oversaw brass sectionals, coached trombone, and assisted in the junior wind ensemble. In high school I used to coach my classmates in the trombone section. In my grad school years I began to teach beginning piano and trombone. My hope when teaching music is that the kids have a lot of fun learning their instrument, so I always encourage them to learn songs they'd like to sing/play along to. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Trumpet Trombone Euphonium Tuba Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

There are many great method books out there for young students. Typically, I use whatever material the school provides, be it Standard of Excellence or Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. I like to incorporate other methods for more advanced students, such as the Conservatory Method by Jean-Baptiste Arban, Michael Davis's many offerings, and/or any of the great etude books out there. I feel it is best to use a well-rounded approach, especially considering the students needs as it pertains to their goals. Read More