Dennis G  
Instruments: Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium, French Horn, Tuba, Orchestral Percussion, Latin Percussion, Music
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, R&B, Gospel, Musical Theater, Opera, Latin, Funk, Electronic, Salsa, Showtunes, Spirituals, Reggae, Merengue, Latin Jazz, Swing, New Age, Samba, Bossa Nova, Soul, Marching Band, Mariachi, Avant-garde

In Middle school, I began tutoring classmates in mathematics and realized the importance of making the intangible, accessible and that not everyone will innately use the same approach, method, process or visualization to arrive at the solution. In High school I tutored German and Casteon, and it became obvious that "How" we hear is extremely important to "what" we hear, and, are able to replicate. In college, I tutored Music Theory and Voice class which broadened my awareness of what other people want to do and get out of the musical efforts and experiences. And deepened my empathy for the range of expression and feelings in the interpretations of others. While studying with Mr. Claude Gordon I began giving private lessons to student brass players. Their immediate improvement and success in class, concert, honor ensembles, and as student soloists prompted offers to teach Bands and Drum & Bugle Corp. horn lines before my 20th birthday. And expanded rapidly into coaching a broader range of ensembles and and a waiting list for lessons. For a decade had studios in San Francisco and Silicon Valley before leaving the S.F. Bay area. For twenty years I served as a public educator teaching some, K-5 music, 1st year band and middle school orchestra. Most of my duty load was as a first year String Orchestra teacher. When I came to the district it was titled Strings class. Branding the class as a String Orchestra in addition to learning a new instrument, gave an added measure of expected accomplishment through the year to many students. I've had the pleasure of having dozens of my students join me on stage in the the Reno Phil, The Reno Pops, and the Toccata Orchestra. I continue to coach student ensembles, give masterclasses, organize "Horn Days" in the Reno area as well as studio teaching.

My fundamental philosophy is to provide each student with a methodical approach to achieving, developing and maintaining a well balanced set of skills. Beyond the technique of how to make "your best" sound, and the efforts to build skills, I make efforts to instill the concept of "Procedural Memory" in creating, developing and expanding a "complete sense of flow in playing." Have a plan and always play musically. It's "HOW" you practice that counts! My practices educating the player are founded on building a routine that addresses the current and future demands in skills appropriate to the age, experience and goals of the player. The methodologies I prescribe as elements of a routine, come from all of my colleagues through the decades, players teachers and students alike. I will use any solution I have experienced, seen, or believe will work for the student that "adds or fits" into their approach to playing. We can use any resources you have that can attend to the technical elements or musical demands that you are working toward. If you prefer we can employ any edition of the "Grand Methods" of the 19th & 20th centuries as well as contemporary publications. As a Brass Pedagogue I prefer to have students employ the Claude Gordon Method series and the ancillary books by Arban, Brophy, H.L. Clarke, Gatti, Irons, St.Jacomes...I can always send you pages of things you need.