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BM, DePaul University, Trumpet Performance
2015 - Recorded Studio Albums with 'The Right Now' and 'Bassel and the Supernaturals'
2014 - Toured with hip-hop group 'BoneLang' to perform at music festival South by Southwest in Austin, TX
2013 - Played in the pit orchestra for Broadway in Chicago's "I Love Lucy" at the Broadway Playhouse
2011 - Performed with DePaul Symphony Orchestra at Chicago Symphony Center
2006 - Performed as Semi-finalist in the National Trumpet Compeitition in Fairfax, VA
I am an eager and energetic teacher who takes pride in maintaining a busy musical schedule, both actively performing and teaching, and being able to use my wide range of experience to be a more effective instructor in my personal studio. I moved here to Chicago in 2008 from my hometown of Wichita, KS to study with Matt Lee and Tage Larsen at DePaul, and later graduated with a bachelor's degree in trumpet performance in 2012. Since then I have have many opportunies to play a truly wide variety of music all over the city, from swing music at the Green Mill, countless streetfests playing hip-hop, salsa, soul, and R&B, performing at Chicago Blackhawks hockey games at the United Center, a symphony orchestra at symphony center, big band music at the Jazz Showcase, and many other shows at venues like Lincoln hall and the Double Door. I believe that having a background in classical music, but having a wealth of experience in as many other styles of music as possible make me uniquely qualified as a music teacher, especially one that can get students of all ages excited about playing music.
I started teaching in college as part of a class taught by Floyd Cooley, former tubist of the chicago symphony orchestra, geared towards studio teaching for the active performer. As he taught, and as I have steadily implemented more and more as my private studio has grown in the past five years, every student has a different learning style and as such best responds to a different style of teaching. I aim to find the best way of communicating with every individual student, so that they have a good time while making steady progress. Music should be fun!
I believe that the best way to teach a brass instrument at any level, is simply to check in and make sure that the student has a great understanding of what a beautiful sound is on their instrument. This is done in a patient and positive environment, filled with the best possible music making to serve as a model to aspire to. With small, attainable goals and encouragement to practive at least a small amount on a daily basis, you cannot help of improve, and hopefully have a good time playing whatever music interests you while doing so. The journey is a bit different for everyone, but anyone can make a beautiful sound, and go from there!
I like to strike a balance of teaching out of various method books(depending on the student and their level of ability, some are more suitable than others of course and I help guide the way), and learning to play by ear, which can be almost anything the student wants to learn, provided it's not overly complicated for them. Technique has it's place, but is certainly not the whole story. Learning music that is fun, while at the same time learning to get better at your instrument, makes the overall process enjoyable and rewarding. Once you have the right tools, music is something that can be fulfilling for the rest of your life, especially when you learn to do it in a fun and healthy way.
He is very patient with children and gives helpful instructions to improve their technique. Highly recommended.