Trombone Lessons in Westlake, TX

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

For beginner students who are children, I usually start with the Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. Once the student has advanced to where I can see that they have a good grasp of the fundamentals of the instrument, that is typically when I begin to introduce solo repertoire and supplement with my own material. For adult beginners, I typically will try and use the Essential Elements book to start with but not for very long. Read More

Instruments: Trombone

My goal with my students is always to see them enjoy themselves while growing as musicians. I want to know what inspires my students and what they strive for as well, though it's always okay if they can't answer that immediately. Learning an instrument is a journey. I believe that the most important part of my teaching style is positive reinforcement. The most successful teachers and mentors that I know or have studied with readily acknowledge a student's strengths and are not afraid of letting them know when they are proud of their students. Read More

Instruments: Trombone

I teach my students to practice a growth mindset. As musicians, I find that we can easily become perfectionists. While I think it is important to critique ourselves so we can improve, my policy is that my students critique themselves based on their own progress. For example, instead of comparing themselves to other students at an audition, I encourage them to compare themselves to who they were yesterday. I truly believe that students can more easily reach their full potential when they are focused on growth rather than competition against others. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Trombone Bass Guitar Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I started teaching guitar lessons in 1999 (20 years this year!) Since those days I've gotten two degrees and taught at colleges, and private institutions, as well as high school and middle schools. I've found that combining textbook music instruction along with learning to play some of the music the student is listening to keeps them growing and engaged. Most importantly it makes learning music fun! I love jazz and I encourage efforts of composition and improvisation to help the student take ownership of the notes they're learning. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Euphonium French Horn Tuba Oboe

Since most of the students I teach are members of a band program, I make sure that most of my lessons are based on what is being learned at school. Planning an individual practice schedule is imperative for their success but at the same time make it enjoyable so the student will want to practice. Constant acknowledgement of their progress each lesson the student more eager to learn. Even though the school program may require students to learn from specific material, I also tailor instruction to music they enjoy performing. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Trombone Drums Orchestral Percussion Djembe

I have a lifelong passion for music, with my passion being in drumming and percussion but having a great deal of experience in trombone and a strong knowledge of guitar as well.  I graduated from Wesleyan University in 2008 with Honors in Music.  I have just recently traveled to Ghana for a 10-month trip to study traditional drumming, Afrobeat drum set style, and more. I also traveled to Ghana in the summers of 2007 and 2008 on grants through Wesleyan allowing me to study traditional drumming more in depth from master drummers there. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone

I began teaching lessons in college, and have enjoyed it from the very first day. I try to evaluate each student spefifically and see what they need to improve in the most efficient manner possible. Exercises and drills are present in my lessons, but I alwaystry to teach the bulk of trumpet fundamentals through actual music such as etudes, solos, band music, duets,etc. In this style of teaching, the students can pick what they want to play (after I give them a few guidelines), and we can still target the areas of playing that need work. Read More