Trumpet Lessons in San Mateo, CA

Instruments: Piano Trumpet

If you are beginning and are a child, then Hal Leonard's Essential Elements is a very general and safe place to start. I firmly believe that establishing a solid set of fundamentals is a great place to start. It is important to not lose motivation during this period, progress is rewarding and it gets even better! After a solid foundation is established fundamentally, the individual is opened into a musical world with limitless possibilities. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet 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: Guitar Trumpet Trombone Euphonium Tuba Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I first began taking private students in the 1990s, and continued to teach privately through my undergraduate years in the early 2000s. Though I stopped for some time to pursue artistic and professional ventures in music, I recently returned to the teaching realm, and am exciting to take on new students. In addition to private brass lessons, I have taught music in public schools through various non-profits and, above all, enjoy the light that comes on in a student's eyes when he/she "gets it." It is why I do what I do. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Euphonium French Horn Tuba Music

I've been teaching the brass instruments for over 30 years, and I love to teach my students! I teach all ages, and I tailor my teaching to the student's own pace and abilities. I'm very good at sizing up students and telling them exactly what they need to do to instantly improve their playing. I also include some education in music theory as part of our lessons. I assist and encourage my students to become the best musicians they can be, which includes learning different styles of music, composing their own music, and preparing for auditions and competitions. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I use a two pronged approach to my lessons. I start with fundamentals, especially focusing on two areas: sound and counting. 1.) Sound: Over the last 34 years, I've found that the student who does not sound good - even though he or she can play all notes and rhythms - will not be pleasing to anyone who hears them play. What good is it if he can play all rhythms and notes and sound bad? Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Trombone Euphonium Tuba

My teaching experience began in my first year of college teaching beginning piano. I have since grown my studio from there to teaching trombone. I encourage students to be passionate about what they play while also balancing what we learn through various method books. I found I improved the most when I was playing music I enjoy rather than playing the music that was given to me by my piano teacher. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Euphonium

Teaching and music are my true passions in life because I love seeing my student grow and music brings people together. I graduated from the Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts (SOTA) where I studied instrumental music. SOTA is an arts magnet high school that performs at a pre-professional level. Through SOTA I performed over 100 concerts all around the Bay Area. I recently graduated from UC Santa Cruz where I was highly involved with the Santa Cruz music community. Read More