Trumpet Lessons in El Toro, CA

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Ukulele Euphonium Tuba

Each student is unique and requires a customized approach to realize their goals. I don't believe in a "one size fits all" approach to students where they all play the same exercises, etudes, etc. I help students find what works for them, often times we create our own methods or modify existing ones to suit the needs of the pupil. I believe a solid foundation in the fundamentals of music can be very helpful, familiarity with music theory/terminology/notation. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Saxophone Euphonium

I first began the art of teaching when I was in college teaching Chemistry. I know it may sound like it is not related, but teaching one subject helps you teach another! I led group Chemistry classes and continue to this day teaching chemistry to the high school and college level. However, after a full year of intense piano studies practicing 3-4 hours daily and studying under my 3 teachers, I felt finally ready to take on students in April of 2016. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Accordion Ukulele Conga Latin Percussion Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I Try to get away from mechanism without joy. Everything has to be close to the music. Exercises to be actually doing them with a rhythm and time. Other than doing things musically, practicing in different times and intentions help a lot for the student to be open to play songs in different ways. Technique and theory are necessary tools. To apply concepts musically they need to do it with musical taste. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Trumpet Trombone

For beginners I like to start with Essential Elements 2000, although this book isn't specifically written with trumpet in mind, I do I want to get students making music as soon as possible and EE 2000 is a great start. As students advance I use some of the standard trumpet method books such as - Clarke Technical Studies, Arbans Complete Method for Trumpet, I also write out exercises that can't be found in books but feel will help the student progress. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer Harp Accordion Harmonica Lap Steel Guitar Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Recorder Lute Electric Violin Fiddle Double Bass Euphonium French Horn Tuba Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Shakuhachi Oboe Bassoon English Horn Conga Latin Percussion Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Most recently Derek was the lead trombonist of the 2018 Disneyland All-American College Band. He has recently performed with Wayne Bergeron, Gordon Goodwin, Dave Holland, Randy Brecker, Dave Liebman, Jimmy Heath, Shaun Martin, Christian Jacob, John Beasley, Troy Roberts, Frank Greene, Brian Lynch, Jeff Jarvis, Steve Houghton, Jiggs Whigham, Sal Lozano, and John Clayton. Derek has had recent performances at Dizzys Club Coca-Cola, the Smithsonian Institute, and the New World Symphony. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Saxophone Drums Mallet Percussion

I'm a firm believer in self motivation. Having a good teacher is important but having a great student is paramount. I love to develop concepts that work for the individual student whom I'm relaying ideas to. Whether it is theory or academia or the idea of honest expression, all these facets of teaching have always been inspiring to me. I can mock up many different playing situations to accommodate any level of player. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Accordion French Horn Music Keyboard

As I mentioned in the "about me" section, I served as principal horn with Държавна опера Стара Загора (the Bulgarian State Opera in Stara Zagora) from late 2017 to the very end of 2019, right before the pandemic hit. Before that, from 2016-2017, I taught public school for the first (and last) time in Natoma, Kansas, acting as the band, choir, and advanced music instructor. That same year I also taught at Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas as Interim Professor of Horn and also was a staff collaborative pianist. Read More