Lessons
---- Due to COVID-19, all lessons are currently being held online via Zoom, FaceTime, or Skype ----
Low brass lessons
(trombone, euphonium, tuba)
$50/hour
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Topics can include:
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-Classical music, band repertoire
-Solo repertoire and performance pieces
-Jazz style and approach
-Improvisation and soloing, across various styles of music
-Playing by ear (without sheet music)
-Sight-reading and transposition
-Chamber music skills
-Orchestral playing and excerpts
-Warm-up exercises and practice habits
-Range-building and technical fluency
-Facilitation of efficiency and ease of playing
-Healthy approaches to wellness in playing, both physically and mentally
-Professionalism and gig etiquette
-Music business, promotion, tour booking
-Recording techniques, licensing, royalties
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Music is multifaceted - whatever your interests, we can dig into them!
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Currently, I teach students from ages 10-76, from a variety of backgrounds and levels of experience. Lessons are uniquely catered to my students' goals - scroll down to read more about my teaching philosophy and background.
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Lessons are typically 1 hour/week. Many of my students have found that 1.5 hours is most effective to make progress once the ball is really rolling; we can renegotiate our rate once we find our ideal balance. Some younger students may prefer 30- or 45-minute lessons as well.
Arranging/Composition/Theory lessons
$50/hour
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Topics can include:
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-Music theory basics (simplifying notes/rhythms/clefs, key/scale/chord relationships, etc)
-Advanced music theory (4-part harmony, harmonic analysis, etc)
-Chamber music arrangements (existing music, or original compositions)
-Composition techniques and personal composition projects
-Transcription skills and techniques
-Finale music notation tips and tricks
-Jazz orchestration (big band, small group, etc)
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As a performer who composes and arranges, I'm interested in helping you work on YOUR projects - it's never too early to start experimenting with these "daunting" concepts! There are no prerequisites, and I'll work with you, whatever your level, experience, or confidence.
My teaching Philosophy
I believe in a student-guide relationship; the music is ultimately the teacher, and my role as guide is to best help the student navigate their own relationship with the music. No two students have the same goals, and curricula will evolve based on the specific needs and aims of each student.
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An environment of safety and trust is a MUST - learning is never a punitive environment. Whether you're a graduate student, a retiree, or a brand-new beginner, this is always true.
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Private lessons are relationships with a few responsibilities:
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-The student must speak up if something doesn't make sense, seem right, feel comfortable, or if they otherwise disagree with something
-The guide must have the student's best interests at heart at all times
-The student must trust that the guide is leading them in the right direction, even if they don't yet see it/hear it
-As in any relationship, mutual respect is important
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It's important that you form your own unique relationship with your instrument - I can help provide tools, strategies and skillsets for your self-improvement, but I can't put in the hours for you. I'm all about making practicing an enjoyable experience - the best improvements happen in a positive and open mental state.
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Music is awesome. We "play" music, not "work" music!