Piano Lessons in Coppell, TX

Instruments: Trumpet

When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
This life chose me more than I chose it... I reached a point when I realized that playing music not only gives me a joy that nothing else can, but that sharing the gift of music is also a never-ceasing wellspring of light and happiness. Music truly is the great human connector.

If you play more than one instrument, how did you decide to start playing the second? (Or 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc)!
Trumpet is actually my second instrument to piano, which I've been playing for as long as I could walk to the piano.

What is your favorite style/genre of music to play and why?
On trumpet, I love playing new music written by contemporary composers, as well as improvising on orchestral excerpts and folk tunes from around the world. And, truth be told, I love a good classical-era piece. Who doesn't love playing the Haydn Trumpet Concerto?

If you have a Music Degree, what is it in (Performance, Education, Musicology, Theory, Composition, etc) and why did you choose that degree?
I have a PhD in Musicology, which I chose to both play music and explore my interest in theory, history, and culture at the same time.

What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
For trumpet, it's all about mastering that soft, rounded tone and not sounding "blatty".

What musical accomplishments are you most proud of?
As a teenage -- and before I took a nine-year non-performing soul-searching sojourn -- a career as a gigging trumpet player developed very naturally for me. After being recruited to play the national anthem at high school sports events, I was soon recruited to play for local and then national conventions, and then to play Taps for VFWs and other events related to the armed service, an eventually weddings. Since I made the decision to return to performing music, similar synchronicities have occurred here in New York City, this time with piano as well: I was recruited to play with a charity organization (Sing for Hope), and am the resident pianist at a hip alternative music space in Brooklyn. Although it's been a while since I won any formal awards with music (although I won many in my teenage year), I'm proud and humbled that the world enjoys what I have to say on both instruments, and look forward to seeing where things take me from here.

How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
Whenever they express interest; it's never too early to start.

When will I start to see results?
When expectations about progress are lost to the joy of the process of learning. That being said, I am an extremely effective teacher and students in all of my subjects excel quickly.

Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
I have been blessed with many wonderful music teachers, particularly my middle school music teacher Ms. Scott. Ms. Scott was passionate about the power of music, knowledgeable about repertoire, exposed us to incredible opportunities, and believed in her students with fervency. I aim to extend the same passion to my students as well.

What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
For the parts you don't understand yet, slow down as much as you need and explore. Soon it will make sense, and then you can incorporate the skill/passage into your playing effortlessly. Also: have fun! It's OK to not be "perfect" on the first go. In fact, the parts of pieces that don't come as naturally in the beginning are the ones you'll grow to enjoy playing the most with loving attention in a practice session.

What does a normal practice session look like for you?
Warm up with some long tones, jump into the piece I'm currently practicing, work out the kinks, run it through, then improvise on a tune I've transcribed myself by ear.

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