Trumpet Lessons in Kensington, MD

Instruments: Guitar Trumpet Trombone Bass Guitar Euphonium Acoustic Guitar

My teaching experience dates back to my college days, having taught private trumpet, guitar, and bass guitar students in Fargo, North Dakota, and continuing to do so in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, where I taught guitar, trumpet, and trombone at B's Music Shop. My collegiate teaching experience began at Concordia College, being a Teaching Assistant for a Brass Methods class, and fulfilling a similar teaching the same course at Central Michigan University. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet

In addition, I consider it of paramount importance to coach performers of all levels to “make music” rather than to merely play the notes on the page: Whether the goal be to prepare him or her for solo and ensemble competitions, concert music, jazz studies or the occasional religious service, conveying the significance of everyone’s own personal interpretation of a composition while performing it is what makes music come alive. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Bass Guitar Double Bass

I received a BM in Composition from SUNY Fredonia where I served on the executive board for Ethos New Music Society and taught private bass lessons to non-music majors. In May 2013, I was awarded the Ethos Laureate Prize in Composition for my chamber opera Randalls Leaf and, most recently, won Peabody's Macht Orchestra Composition Competition in 2015 forPillars, erased. My other interests include cooking, camping, going for walks, comedy, science fiction, and visiting art museums. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Double Bass Piccolo Oboe Bassoon Music Keyboard

I'm a firm believer in transparent and respectful communication. I work diligently along side the parent(s)/guardian(s) and student(s) to develop a positive rapport with them. I will remind them that the process of learning an instrument, and engaging in performance is a collaborative effort; it can be a ton of fun; however, it still takes, a lot of patience, hard work and commitment. Each lesson is goal oriented and recorded. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Keyboard

If the student is interested in jazz, I typically use Jim Snidero's "Jazz Conception" books as a great starting place to learn about interpreting jazz music as well as a basis for starting to talk about improvisation. Continuing from there, jazz students will start to learn jazz "standards" from the Great American Songbook and discussions of improvisation will go deeper. With all students, it is important to discover what they are interested in and encourage that interest. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Saxophone Flute Synthesizer Music Keyboard

My methods are different for every student, but I always start with fundamentals. This includes scales, exercises to improve sound and intonation, reading, writing, improvisation, and most importantly listening. Depending on the path the student choses, some areas will be focused on more than others. I will often introduce more advanced concepts early if the student displays interest in them. I am not the kind of instructor who will say "play your etudes first and then we can talk about improvisation." I almost quit shortly after I started music because I had an instructor with that outlook. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet

My experiences as a teacher have been vital to my growth as a musician and a person for the past few years.  Upon my start of graduate school, I began teaching in the place of a local New Jersey trumpeter who was busy out of the country.  Each student had their own unique personality and skills, ranging in age from 9 to 17.  This opportunity also allowed me to work with special needs students. Read More