Voice Lessons in Corpus Christi, TX

Instruments: Voice Saxophone Flute Piccolo Bassoon Music

If you play more than one instrument, how did you decide to start playing the second? (Or 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc)!
I began on Flute. My Freshman year of college it occurred to me that it was difficult to get into college on flute. I talked to my Band Director about it, he suggested Bassoon. 4 years later I was a Bassoon major at The Ohio State University. My Junior year of High School we moved from the city of Cincinnati to the suburbs and I had to transfer schools. When I got there, the band director said, "I don't need any more flutes. You're going to play Alto Sax. Within a few weeks I was good enough to be first chair. Now I make part of my living play saxophone.

When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
When I was in the 6th grade, I was accepted at the Cincinnati School for the Creative and Performing Arts. I was immediately thrust into a school full of actors, singers and instrumentalists (as well as dancers and artists). I realized that I was just as good as any of them. Today, many of those students have had successful careers in Hollywood and/or Broadway. I knew immediately, that was what I wanted to do.

Why did you choose your primary instrument?
I was in the 5th grade and someone came to the school to show us all the instruments. He played a little on several of them. I knew I wanted to pay something, and flute looked easy. So that's what I picked. Boy was I wrong about it being easy! LOL

When will I start to see results?
That depends on several factors: Firs off, it depends on how dedicated the student is. (i.e. are they practicing regularly? are they practicing correctly?) Secondly, it's going to depend on what kinds of results you want to see. A student that is truly interested in becoming better will see tangible results within just a few lessons.

How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
Even a beginning student will benefit from lessons. There is so much that can be taught one on one that can't be taught in a classroom. If they show any passion for their music at all, start them in lessons.

What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
Don't just play the fun stuff. Pulling your horn out and playing the stuff that you already know how to play well. That isn't practicing. Practice should include some work on tone, scales and then repertoire that you don't play quite as well (or are maybe just learning). Then you can play the fun stuff!

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