Trumpet Lessons in Buffalo Creek, CO

Instruments: Trumpet Ukulele

With most beggining students I use Hal Leonard's Essential Elements 2000. For intermediate students I find the Rubank methods move at a faster pace and put a larger emphases on scales. For beginning students, when students are ready I will introduce an easy solo book. In most cases I use Belwin Master Solos or an Essential Elements supplement depending on the interests of the student. For students interested in learning jazz or other forms of improvisation, I would use Hal Leonard's "How to Play from a Real Book" in combination with the Hal Leonard or Aebersold play-along series. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Saxophone French Horn

I am very big on rewards programs and keeping students excited about what they are playing. This required reasonable, achievable goals that still push the student to go beyond their comfort level. Positive reinforcement is so important, especially with early players and when we hit walls in our growth. Seeing exactly where a student is at and understanding the encouragement they need is what makes a good teacher. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet

For beginning students I usually start with the Standards of Excellence series of method books. Once the student has grasped the fundamentals of playing, I will introduce solo repertoire students can begin working on to explore aspects of playing such as expression, tuning, phrasing, and different articulations. I use chorales to work on breathing, phrasing, and dynamics. For intermediate and advanced students, I will ask what they feel they need to work on to help guide my instruction. Read More

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: Trumpet

I have been playing trumpet since I was nine. In college I studied classical trumpet. I perform regularly in the Denver area and nationally. As a recording artist, I have contributed to several noteworthy albums, including Fourteen Channels, which cracked the top 50 on the JazzWeek charts. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Euphonium French Horn Tuba

Music, at its most basic, should be fun, and I try to impart that to my students. Lessons with me involve jokes, fun music, and taking our music making to the extreme. In addition, I strive to teach music as a language; learning it both aurally and visually, developing an ear for music and self-evaluation while learning to read the notes on the page. I also see it as my duty to model what the student musician should strive to sound like, giving them an ideal sound in their head through frequent modeling. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet

Throughout my musical career ranging from fourth grade on up to the college level I have played in many groups stemming from small ensembles up to bands and orchestras. I have had the privilege of playing with some top quality players and studying with some of the best teachers and professors on all levels. I have had experience with many different styles of music including jazz, classical, blues, swing and rock. Read More