Saxophone Lessons in Distant, PA

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

I am a devoted music teacher and passionate performer, who likes to inspire my students to love making music. I perform with orchestras and chamber groups all over the Pennsylvania/Ohio area including the West Virginia Symphony orchestra. Additionally, I have an active chamber group, Kassia Ensemble, a mixed instrumentation group dedicated to furthering women's leadership in the arts. I graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in 2006 having studied with Thomas Thompson of the Pittsburgh Symphony.  Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute

I believe it is important for any teacher to be patient and compassionate. Every student is different in their abilities and learning processes. So I remain flexible in trying new ways to keep students engaged and not be distracted if certain techniques become difficult. Unlike a course where you receive a grade, lessons are like coaching sessions. Similar to coaching sports, consistent workouts and drills help build the foundation to perform. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Ukulele Recorder French Horn Piccolo Orchestral Percussion Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe

I have experienced music in large variety of groups, from funk bands, to jazz bands, choirs, saxophone quartets, drum circles, as well as recording and mixing my own album. Music is about connections: there's nothing that the experience of music doesn't affect! When you take lessons from me, you know you are getting a great foundation of music for life, from reading music, theory, and correct technique, as well as something as broad as composition, improvisation, music technology, even dance! Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

I've been teaching students saxophone privately since the age of 16. In between regular gigging and college, I've had the chance to teach a number of students in the past 7 years. One of my main goals in teaching young students is developing a keen sense of how to practice effectively. I like to encourage students to actively seek opportunities to perform and record music wherever they can, so I often times facilitate the process with my own contacts. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

For classical studies, there are some standard saxophone repertoire books I like to go to. For brand new students, I use Essential Elements books, for intermediate students I use Rubank method books, and for advanced students I use the Ferling etude book. For jazz studies, I begin students with Lenny Neihaus' Jazz Conception for Saxophone, which lays a great foundation for jazz and swing playing. After this, I do a lot of ear training and memorization exercises for tunes, and talk about chord-scale theory. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Music Keyboard

As I have taught many students on many different instruments, my focus has been on providing students with a firm foundation, including proper posture, breathing, embouchure, technique, and pitch/rhythm literacy. I have found great success in using the Essential Elements method books, and eventually move on to intermediate and advanced methods, focusing on etudes, scale studies, and solo repertoire. Beyond a traditionally classical approach, I believe strongly in listening to my students to realize what they desire to learn. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

I have been teaching lessons privately in addition to working full-time as a music teacher for more than 20 years. I enjoy making myself available as a private lesson teacher as a means of providing extra income for my family. I have remained active as a musician myself through performing both at church and with the Lonestar Symphonic Band. My passion is in instrumental music and so I left a 12-year career with the Spring Branch Independent School District where I taught elementary music in order to go to a small charter school in Katy to start a band program for them. Read More