Saxophone Lessons in Maple Heights, OH

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

My style of lesson is like water.. No two students are alike. I must first test a beginner to see if they're tone deaf.. An advanced student is tested for any limitations or handicaps. Any good coach would study the student for any weakness, and formulate a viable plan to bridge the gap again to take them further faster.. Example: I have an 11 year old student that reads the pink panther very well, but has no clue what key he's in, or how to transpose etc. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

I've been interested in music ever since I was little and have been playing music with various instruments since I was in the 5th grade. I focused on saxophone when I was in junior high and continued through high school. It was my first passion even when going off to college. I went to school for Audio Production to learn another set of skills that has served me since 2005. My love of saxophone has been influential in my taste in music and would love to teach others the fundamentals and help them progress. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Saxophone Bass Guitar Mandolin Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My approach to teaching kids has always emphasized finding joy in the instrument. I will always start with the a good foundation of a solid understanding of music fundamentals and work with the kids at a pace that allows them to grow yet really enjoy what they are doing. For older kids and adults I make sure that I have a good understanding of what they are trying to achieve and provide the tools to allow them to get accomplish their goals. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

My experience starts when I was attending college. I started working at a private school in the great Cleveland area teaching both clarinet and saxophone. I stayed at that school for the next 15 years practicing my craft of teaching. Encouraging regular practice on a consistent basis is one of the fundamentals I try to teach my young students. My goal for my students is they not only learn the instrument in lessons is that they also have a good time while practicing. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Saxophone Flute Clarinet

To me, it is most important that a student feels successful in what they have accomplished each lesson. Every student progresses at their own rate and it's important to give students attainable short-term goals in the service of long-term achievements. It is also important to know what drives each student and understand why they want to take private lessons. This will give the student a degree of inspiration which us as teachers can use to help them stay focused and interested in continuing with their studies. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

For most students, I use the Rubank Method books as a foundation for basic fundamentals of the instrument. I use Jamey Aebersold's books as a foundation for jazz and popular music when students are ready. After that, I like giving my students individual work that is tailored to their needs like solos, jazz tunes, and more. I also challenge my students to take control of their learning by being resourceful. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Euphonium French Horn

I have accompanied my students on stage with Audra McDonald in Chicago, and I have had students move on to professional and semi-professional careers in classical music and music theater. A few years back, one of my voice students landed a major role in one of the most successful movie-musicals in recent history. My production of Little Shop of Horrors from Manalapan High School in NJ is the most viewed amateur production of that show on YouTube. Read More