Saxophone Lessons in Gradyville, PA

Instruments: Saxophone

My name is Stephen and I’m a passionate saxophonist, composer, and arranger. In May 2019, I graduated from Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts, earning a Bachelors degree in Jazz Studies (saxophone performance) as well as an honors certificate with accompanying 40 page thesis on jazz composition. I've had the distinct honor of being able to study with jazz legends Ralph Bowen and Victor Lewis, amongst many others. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

When I start with beginner students I don't go to their books right away. I like to sit with my students and have them learn about the parts of the instrument as well as getting to know their instrument. We first learn about embouchure and just get a sound out on their mouth piece. Later on Iuse Neil A. Kjos Music Company Standard of Excellence Books. I really enjoy using these books with beginners because it gets them started on simple notes and rhythm patterns. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet Accordion

In 2007, I graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. I was a member of the Penn State Marching Blue Band and have participated in several Alumni Blue Band performances since graduating. I went on to earn my Masters of Music in Music Education from Northwestern University in 2012. I enjoyed teaching music in the public school for ten years. In addition to teaching, I have also been the piano accompanist for both middle and high school choirs. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

In college I began my teaching career. I started teaching private lessons, band classes, and General Music classes. I continue to teach currently as well. Teaching music is truly my passion! Through my teaching I want to spark a passion for music in my students. It is important to me that my students truly enjoy learning music. I find asking the student about what they hope to achieve, and helping them create goals helps them to truly enjoy their lessons. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

I am a fairly new teacher but since completing my degree in May of 2015 I have already began to build a private studio as well as teach at a few local music schools. I believe that in order to truly understand an instrument, practice must take place nearly everyday. In lessons, I teach students how to practice by creating short goals that add up to long-term progress. For younger students, I find it helpful to treat these goals as games in order to make practicing feel fun as opposed to feeling like work. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I first began teaching while still completing my Bachelors degree at William Paterson in 2011. Most of my students were beginning level piano students, but I had a few more advanced students as well as some people studying saxophone with me. My teaching philosophy is to combine teaching the technique of an instrument with learning songs as well as theory and improvisation/composition. Everyone learns technique, but learning music that I wanted to learn, learning how those songs were written (theory), and eventually elaborating on those songs (improvisation), and writing my own music (composition), was what really got me deeply engaged in the act of practicing and making music, and I have found over several years of teaching that it keeps my students engaged and enjoying the learning process. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

In 2014 I completed my Doctor of Musical Arts degree and moved to the Philadelphia area. I have been an active performer, composer, and educator for the last 15 years of my life recently serving as Artist in Residence at Penn State's Altoona campus. Alongside performing in the Philadelphia area I have been a guest lecturer and artist for The University of the Arts in 2014 and 2015. Read More