Guitar Lessons in Jacksonville, FL

Instruments: Trombone

What is your dream piece to perform and why?
My dream would actually be to perform my own Trombone and Piano Sonata. In my senior recital at the university that wasn't an option. I was however requested to perform a brass quintet of my own composition, which turned out nicely. One of the pieces I did perform was Eric Ewazen's Sonata for Trombone and Piano. It has slowly worked it's way into becoming an important addition to the trombone literature. At the time however, it was a very new work and was considered very contemporary as many hadn't heard it yet. My senior recital was in the Spring of 2004. It was written in 1998.

If you have a Music Degree, what is it in (Performance, Education, Musicology, Theory, Composition, etc) and why did you choose that degree?
When I went to music school my dream was to receive both an Orchestral Performance degree as well as a Music Composition and Theory degree. I actually ran out of financial aid and had to settle for just the Composition and Theory degree itself, as the Performance degree would've taken me one more year. I graduated with 178 credit hours while financial aid cuts you off at 180 hours. My performing history beyond school is very extensive however, and having the Theory degree has made me able to play in a variety of clefs. It also makes me able to teach Composition and Theory in greater depth.

What does a normal practice session look like for you?
I don't and can't expect all of my students to practice and do exercises as much as I do. On a typical day I can do daily exercises for one and a half to two and a half hours. I will usually follow that with a good series of different keyed improvisations for anywhere from one to four hours. Beyond that, if there is music I need to go over for an upcoming performance, I can work on that for another two to three hours. It is normal for me to practice and perform a full eight hour work day every day if possible, sometimes more.

Do you use specific teaching methods or books? (Ex: Alfred, Bastion, Suzuki, Hal Leonard) Why did you choose them if you did?
I use many different resources to choose from. I don't have anything bad to say about any of the method books I've seen and used. I tend to pick and choose sections from different areas to address different things. There are sections that have helped me greatly, some that have helped my other students, and some that I pick for individual students. I even have copies of old out of print exercises from past trombone professors to help build range and help in other areas. They're chosen for and tailored towards each individual student.

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