Thomas M  
Instruments: Saxophone, Clarinet
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, Gospel, Spirituals, Swing, Soul

I started teaching while I was in college as a swing dance instructor. I got my first experience teaching people who had little to no experience with the art form, and I had to navigate teaching students with varying skill levels. After college I began teaching beginning students how to play both saxophone and clarinet. I had private students who I met with on a one-on-one basis, and I also had the opportunity to work with middle schoolers and assist both the beginning and the advanced bands. Some of my best memories come from watching a student realize they really can play that hard piece that they thought was out of their reach when they first began practicing.

I tend to start beginning students with the Hal Leonard Essential Elements books, but if I find that the student either has previous experience or else progresses much faster than normal, I will move them to the Rubank Blue Book instead. Fundamentals are a critical element for learning any new instrument, and that includes playing scales. When I am first beginning, I will work a student through the scales until they have played them through correctly. If a student expresses a desire to learn a particular song or style, I will try to get them working on it as soon as possible.