Carl S  
Instruments: Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, R&B, Musical Theater, Swing, Bossa Nova, Avant-garde

I first began teaching upon the completion of my undergraduate studies in 2004.  At that time the majority of my students were beginners in their first or second year of playing.  By 2008 I had completed the first of my two graduate degrees in music.  With this accomplishment the students seeking lessons with me generally became older, typically in the junior high and high school ages.  It has been my priveldge to help some of these students reach their goals of becoming university and college music majors and scholarship recipients.  During my doctoral work and a recent residency at Penn State Altoona, I had the opportunity to teach musicians at the collegiate level.  Throughout all of these experiences I find it rewarding to work with any student, at any age or level of development.

My methods vary greatly depending on the student's goals and experience.  Through the first few years of study, an emphasis on the fundamentals of music and instrumental skills is required.  This typically takes the form of a beginning method book.  For students beyond this phase of study, advanced technique work takes the form of scale, chord, and interval studies.  I couple these with the development of repertoire that fits the needs and goals of that student.  This may take the form of audition preperation for district, regional, or state band, college preperation, or materials in their school band that they are not confident of.