Saxophone Lessons in Portland, OR

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Synthesizer

My first teaching experience began 9 years ago in my sophomore year of high school, working as a volunteer saxophone coach for middle school students in a jazz band program with the nonprofit organization Seattle JazzED. I continued my work there throughout and beyond high school as an intern, then lead intern, then an instructor with my own small ensemble (aka combo), and finally as an assistant director of the Summer Jazz Ambassador program, for which I arranged cross-era jazz curriculum in the big band format and conducted rehearsals and performances for groups of students as large as 35, ranging ages 8-18. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet

Friendly and encouraging interaction with students makes for a pleasant experience and allows students to achieve their potential. Lessons are an opportunity to explore creative expression through music. The fundamentals of music are the tools for creative expression.  Creative expression is encouraged even in the beginner's first lesson. I like to explore music from the basic structure of the symbols used and how the sounds are grouped to the more complex. Read More

Instruments: Voice Saxophone Clarinet

My joy is to see progress and growth in my students. I also enjoy seeing their love of music develop.  I take each student where they are: beginner or advanced, and put goals in place for them.  Such goals can be things like learning music for solo and ensemble band / orchestra competitions, performing in their Church, or putting together a jazz band or classical ensemble for concerts. Nothing is more rewarding than seeing one of my students develop a passion for music. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

My students describe me as genuine and passionate with a youthful, energetic teaching style.  Lessons are always enjoyable and productive.  I show my students techniques to focus, and get more done with less wasted time. I cater my lessons to fit the student's learning style and to maximize potential.  Music is truly a passion for me and I enjoy seeing my students grow! My creativity and patience allow me to explain concepts that may have stumped you in the past. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

I believe that fundamentals are the most important, and these should always be a focus. However, I also understand that you play an instrument to have fun as well. I believe that there should be a mixture of hard work and play, and will often assign fundamental exercises combined with solo or duet material. I also believe there should be an overarching goal to be achieved - this could be anything from intonation, to memorizing scales, to performing a recital. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Harmonica Ukulele Recorder Electric Violin Fiddle Double Bass Euphonium French Horn Tuba Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Oboe Bassoon English Horn Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My methods vary on the student and subject. Beginning students will typically focus more on technical pieces of music to improve on certain aspects of a few pieces to perform. More advanced students will still practice technical parts of their music, but less time will be spent on it during a lesson. Advanced level students will spend more time on repertoire and performance. The more advanced a student gets, the more I expect them to practice outside of lessons and apply their newly learned technical skills into their music on their own. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Clarinet Drums Synthesizer Ukulele Recorder Tuba Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Oboe Bassoon English Horn Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My philosophy for quality music education has three main parts: appreciation, practice, literacy. In no particular order... 1. The first part is exposure/appreciation of different musics, cultures and styles: The loving of music This includes: Active listening skills, genre playlists, history of solo repertoire/composers 2. The second part is the practice/performance of music, instruments, and vocally: The doing of music This includes: Physically clapping rhythms, singing, playing, performing, improvising 3. Read More