Trumpet Lessons in Hidden Hills, CA

Instruments: Trumpet

For beginning students and children, I typically start with the basic essential fundamentals of playing the trumpet. Once the student has progressed, I will introduce more appropriate material to advance the student with. For adults and more experienced students I try to find out what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and especially fun, no matter their ability level. I use a lot of play along material and I show and play for the student a lot of playing techniques and riffs for examples and what is possible and how to progress. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Trumpet Trombone

I have taught private lessons to all ages since High School and this is where I feel like I thrive as an educator. I have coached for Harmony Project, Youth Orchestra Los Angeles and many others, as well as Drum and Bugle Corps and Marching bands throughout California. I have been the band director and general music educator for several elementary schools in the Bay Area and Los Angeles County Throughout the pandemic, I worked as Program Director for the Sacramento Mandarins, a nonprofit music academy with the mission of transforming the lives of youth through performing arts. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder Fiddle French Horn Piccolo Oboe

For stringed instruments, I uses the Suzuki method for teaching the basic repertory of the instruments. This method is an ear training method in which the student plays by ear. It starts out very simple so students of all ages can learn and progress very quickly. For learning to read music I use one of the method books like "A Tune a day" or Strictly Strings which teach the fundamentals of read music and music theory. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone French Horn

I always vary my teaching methods to accomodate each of my student's needs.  However, my lesson format stays fundamentally the same.  I always begin with some mouthpiece buzzing, which incorporates ear-training, then move to rhythm exercises, scales and technical studies, method book, and any other music the student is working on at the time. Most beginning students will start out with Book 1 of a standard method book; I recommend the Standard of Excellence series. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola Trumpet Recorder Fiddle

I like to start out beginning string students with Essential Elements 2000 by the Hal Leonard company. They have a complete system which includes professionally recorded accompaniments which provide a model for the student to hear how to play with good intonation, tone and rhythm which are the most important basics. In addition I recommend other sheet music with piano accompaniment or books with CD accompaniments that can be performed for friends and family. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Saxophone Euphonium

From the beginning phase, I figure out over the long-term what your student is motivated by and create a lesson plan around it. Some students like to compose their own songs and record them. Some like to write sheet music on the computer. Some love the enjoyment of the next challenging song on sheet music. I believe it is imperative a teacher has a malleable customizable approach for every student because we all have different personalities and preferences. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet

I began teaching when I was 16 in my local town of Evanston, Illinois.I have continued to teach on and off in between touring and working with others for the last 14 yrs. I currently have a 2 year old son who is very interested in trumpet so I am beginning to show him the ropes and am well aware of the struggles of teaching younger children. I emphasize a regular regiment of practice every day of at least 20 minutes. Read More