Michael E  
Instruments: Trombone
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, R&B, Gospel, Musical Theater, Latin, Funk, Salsa, Spirituals, Reggae, Merengue, Latin Jazz, Swing, New Age, Bossa Nova, Soul, Marching Band, Avant-garde

My teaching experience began in the late 90's volunteering for many professional bands that would going into area high schools and perform for the music department. I was approached my several parents and music directors to give lessons. As a teacher, I try to remove any road blocks a student is having by developing well rounded musician. As a performer, my career has taken me across the Mid-West and abroad on tours as far as Russia and Poland. Currently, I play professionally in the Chicago-land area. It continues to be an absolute pleasure watching students grow, discovering that "Aha moment" and continue their musicianship into college and beyond.

For beginning students, I typically start with breathing exercises geared towards tone production as well as mouthpiece buzzing to start strengthening the student's embouchure. For more developed students, I try to guide them accordingly around their interests to keep the lessons fresh and more importantly, FUN. A typical lesson will consist of but not limited to, warm-up Call and Response exercises, where the student mirrors what I play. This is not only a time for them to develop aural skills, but to also hear and see professional playing up close and gives the student an example in developing their own musical concept. Depending on the age level, we will then move on to etudes (short study pieces) and short exercises meant to develop technique. I stress the study of etudes not only to develop technique but more importantly to develop the student's own unique musical inner voice. I suggest the student keep a practice journal to maintain an efficient, focused and effective practice. My lessons end with a review and time to answer any questions the student may have.