Voice Lessons in Colorado Springs, CO

Instruments: Trombone Euphonium

What does a normal practice session look like for you?
About 5 minutes of warming with nothing but glissandi. Then going into my daily routine which changes up a bit depending on what I need to work on that day; typically it consists of long tones, lip slurs, flow studies, articulation studies, and scales. Then I'll take about 10 to 20 minutes to get the horn off my face and drink water, do computer work, and listen to music. After that depending on what I have coming up and what is planned for that day I'll go into orchestral excerpts, solos, recital prep, audition prep, extended fundamental work, or a variety of different etudes. I make sure though that before I switch to a new area that I take about 5 to 10 minutes to get the horn off my face and drink a lot of water and listen to either recordings I made in that time or professional recordings of my favorite musicians. I almost always end my practice sessions by learning and playing a tune by ear and every key. It could be as simple of Mary Had a Little Lamb but that time when I'm note playing from music on a page and only from the sound in my head is when I really discover my sound.

What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
It's 100% building the muscle strength and muscle memory to be able to play any note at anytime and then once you've built the strength not relying on it. Sounds contradictory I know but it's really a great balancing act between the two.

What musical accomplishments are you most proud of?
All of them really I love playing music for people, but a couple of high lights would be, playing a solo with the Shenandoah Trombone Collective on the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center, playing Schumann's Symphony Number 9 with the Loudon Symphony, and Playing David Maslanka's Symphony Number 4 with the Shenandoah Conservatory wind ensemble.

How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
Your child is ready to start lessons as soon as they express interest in playing. The longer a teacher works individually with your child the better that teacher will know your child's playing and can help guide them to become better musicians.

When will I start to see results?
That all depends on your mindset. Progress is never linear and we all have days where it seems like we go backwards. But I can say that when you have the right teacher you'll feel that progress in at least one or two lessons.

Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
I have had countless teachers inspire me to go into music, some of them are even my own students! I get inspired by the sheer love of music I can see in people's eyes and the passion that has driven some of my teachers to become professionals.

Why did you choose your primary instrument?
I was actually told to play trombone by my band director in elementary school. I had been playing piano for a couple years at that point so I already knew how to read bass clef and the band needed another trombone so I did it and then a few years latter I had just fallen in love with the instrument and all the sounds it could make!

What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
Set a schedule that works for your life and keep to it! The schedule could be completely different from day to day but as long as you know what you're practicing and how it's going to make you better then it's going to work.

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