Jonathan A. music, saxophone, music theory, clarinet. Boston, MA

I started studying piano when I was 6 years old, and began playing saxophone as a middle school band student.  I studied music education and saxophone near my hometown at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and then moved to Paris to study saxophone at the CNR Boulogne-Billancourt with Jean-Michel Goury, a wonderful saxophonist and teacher.  Last fall I moved to Boston to start my master's degree in saxophone at the New England Conservatory.

I have been teaching saxophone lessons privately for about five years.  I also taught middle school and high school band full time in Wisconsin for two years, so I have experience teaching almost all band instruments and conducting many types of ensembles from concert and marching bands to jazz combos. 

My musical interests include contemporary and classical music for saxophone, jazz, and performing mixed music for live performers and electronics.  Last year I became a member of the Quadrivium Saxophone Quartet, which has performed on the nationally-broadcast radio show "Says You," the 2008 North American Saxophone Alliance national quartet competition, and at several schools and community centers in Boston.       

I think it's important for me and my students to agree on specific short-term and long-term goals, and that it's my job to gear lessons to help students reach their goals whether they are getting a head start on joining their school band or preparing a major audition.  I want my students and I to share high expectations for themselves, but my teaching style is relaxed.  Music is a passion of mine and I hope most of all that my students will enjoy it as much as I do.  I like to ask lots of questions and encourage students to form their own interpretations, descriptions, and opinions about the music they're learning.  I also ask my students to stick to a regular daily practice routine, which is a vital part of their musical experience.        

Classical and contemporary music, saxophone quartet,
electro-acoustic performance.

Elkhorn Area High School, Elkhorn, WI - - 1995-1999
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater - Music Education - 1999-2004
New England Conservatory - Saxophone Performance - 2007-present

music, saxophone, music theory, clarinet.