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BM, Temple University, Jazz Studies: Saxophone Performance
2014 - Temple University President's Scholarship
I'm a 2018 graduate of Temple University's Boyer College of Music, where I earned my Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies: Saxophone Performance. I play the Saxophone, Clarinet, and Piano, and I'm glad to be teaching students all of these instruments. At Temple, I studied under saxophonists Dick Oatts and Ben Schachter. I lead my own Jazz Quartet, and I've performed with groups including the Philadelphia Funk Authority, Temple Avenue Quintet, Tony Gairo's Crosscurrent Big Band, and the Work In Progress Jazz Orchestra.
I first started teaching seven years ago, while in high school. Upon recommendation by my band director, I began teaching summer lessons to elementary school students in my school district, and I’ve been teaching ever since. I’ve always found it most beneficial to be working on the music I’m the most passionate about, so I like to teach by combining method books with music the student is interested in. This way they can receive an understanding of technique and performance while also learning music they enjoy.
I like to begin all my students on a combination of technical studies and enjoyable/familiar melodies. This will help them learn the fundamentals in a rewarding way, because as they progress they will continue to learn new songs week after week. This is much more rewarding than checking of series of technical exercises. Additionally it is important to have both small goals to achieve each week and large goals to achieve over a number of months, so my students can be aware and proud of their progress over time.
I always ask the student to find music that they like listening to, and I work this into the material they are learning. Even if the instrument they play is not a part of that music, listening to music critically will help them develop a concept for sound and an ear for musicality. I try my hardest to keep the lessons both fun and engaging - I'm always open to questions! I love when students come to me with new questions, because it shows me that they are excited to learn and they are putting extra thought into their musical education than simply practicing.