Alexander C  
Instruments: Trombone, Euphonium
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Musical Theater, Funk, Marching Band

My teaching experience began in high school when my band director gave me the opportunity to teach lessons to some students at the middle school. When I went to college, this passion for teaching lessons grew as I was fortunate enough to have a small studio through the help of my college professor. As a teacher, I encourage regular practice on a consistent schedule for my younger students, encouraging them that individual practice is their time to learn more about their own instrument and gain a passion for music through performance. I also have found that on top of strong fundamentals and good practice and performance habits, students find more pleasure in music when introduced to a variety of styles of music. Introducing students to classical, jazz, blues, and even modern music allows students to find even more enjoyment in the instrument they play. I encourage my students to perform in recitals and showcase the progress they have made in order to stay motivated. I am always looking to take in new students of all ages!

For beginning students, I typically start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. Once the student has a grasp on the fundamentals of performance, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire appropriate for their first recital or NYSSMA solo. After the student moves on from basic method books, I introduce more trombone-specific books such as Arban's Trombone Method Book and Rochut's Melodious Etudes for trombone. For adults, I like to find out what kind of music they want to play and plan my lesson accordingly to skill level.