Thomas W
Instruments: Piano, Voice, Violin, Viola, Trumpet, Trombone, Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, Drums, Bass Guitar, Recorder, Euphonium, French Horn, Tuba, Piccolo, Mallet Percussion, Orchestral Percussion, Oboe, Bassoon
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Gospel, Musical Theater, Opera, Latin, Funk, Hip Hop, Electronic, Flamenco, Salsa, Showtunes, Spirituals, Reggae, Merengue, Latin Jazz, Swing, New Age, Samba, Bossa Nova, Soul, Marching Band, Punk, Mariachi, Avant-garde
Thomas W
Instruments: Piano, Voice, Violin, Viola, Trumpet, Trombone, Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, Drums, Bass Guitar, Recorder, Euphonium, French Horn, Tuba, Piccolo, Mallet Percussion, Orchestral Percussion, Oboe, Bassoon
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Gospel, Musical Theater, Opera, Latin, Funk, Hip Hop, Electronic, Flamenco, Salsa, Showtunes, Spirituals, Reggae, Merengue, Latin Jazz, Swing, New Age, Samba, Bossa Nova, Soul, Marching Band, Punk, Mariachi, Avant-garde
Where I Teach:
In Your Home
My Studio
Ages Taught: 3-80
ABOUT
Degrees / Training / Special Info:
BM, Southern University and A& M College, Strings/Woodwind/Brasswind Performance & Education
Awards:
I consider my most important achievement to be that I have been able to earn a living while still learning from some incredible musicians for over 20 years. I was often the youngest member playing in the big bands and jazz bands I was blessed to be a part of. I met and performed with musicians who had toured with many different musicians and composers. To me, who they played with was not as important as what I learned from them. The on the job training was priceless.
Overview:
I'm a passionate and motivated instructor who loves working with students and sharing my love of music. In 2011, I graduated from Southern University and A&M College with a Bachelor of Music degree in Trumpet Performance/Music Education. Having both degrees has enhanced my teaching studio for I can give the best of both cases to my students either going for education or performance. I have a studio where I students can be recorded during lessons to enhance their own learning abilities.
EXPERIENCE
I started playing at about the age of three. I had several family memeber who played semi-professionally part time. I would accompany them to rehearsals and gigs. As I grew older I started singing and playing along with the groups. While attending college I toured and played with different bandsAlthough I was already gigging, I was very much interested in Big band, Jazz, and Fusion and wanted to sharpen my skills in reading charts and improvisation. This honsestly with the help and mentoring of my Professor Dr. Heizen, turned out to be the best learning expereince. During these years of study I was gigging and recording with everyone I could. I studied music theor/ compostiiton, guitar, and piano with several of the fine musicians I met along the way. Since then my on the job training has spread across all styles of music; rock, blues, jazz, fusion, theater, and playing with a number of big bands, including several years of touring.
METHODS USED
After over 7+ years of teaching and over 20+ years of musical expereince, I have combined the use of numerous books into my own method. Much of what I have learned also comes from personal expereince. I use audio tracks I record in my studio to give students the experience of playing with other musicians. They practice with their instrument in the track, and I also give them a track without their instrument so they get the feel of being the drummer, or the keyboard player, or the guitarist. No matter what instrument they are studying, they learn music theory, and how to read.
LESSON STYLE
As a teacher I offer a common sense approach to teaching all instruments to students of all ages. For students who are new to playing; I focus first on the mechanics of playing,getting their mind to respond to what the body to best of their ability. Along the way they learn to read and understand written music, and just as important, how to play with and for other musicians. They learn to trust their ears and instinct, and develop the ability to create their own style and identity. Along the way they gain confidence and have a great deal of fun. That's OK, because music is supposed to be fun. For more advanced students my focus would center on what might be holding them back from achieving their goals. Sometimes it's helping them with their technique to improve their chops. Sometimes it may be helping them improve their chart reading skills to get them to the next level.
PHOTOS & VIDEOS
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