I am a brass, voice and percussion artist and teacher, local to the Whittier area, specializing in many styles such as Classical, Jazz, and Pop. I received my Bachelor’s degree in Tuba Performance from CSU Sacramento and I am currently pursuing my master's degree in tuba performance at Azusa Pacific University. At APU I am involved in many ensembles including the top jazz band, wind ensemble, graduate quintet, vocal jazz, and am the Assistant director of the Blackout Marching Band (APU). During my time in Sacramento I held the position of Principal Tuba for the Folsom Symphony for the 2009 - 2011 seasons. I was also the lead trombone for the Harley White Jr. Jazz Orchestra as well as Element Brass Band. In addition, I was privileged to win multiple downbeat awards with the Sacramento State Jazz Singers where I sung bass and was often a featured soloist. I am featured as the bass singer in Selfless Cold and Composed on the Ben Folds' College a cappella album released in 2009. As...

I have been teaching private lessons for close to 10 years and have been an active performer for even longer, playing in all different types of groups, from rock bands and jazz groups to orchestras and brass bands. I studied music at Frostburg State University (Bachelors) and the Peabody Conservatory (Masters). I can teach just about any age and skill level and cover anything you are interested in learning; whether its a certain style, genre, technique or song.

I have been happily playing music for nearly 15 years, and now I have the opportunity to share my enthusiasm with you! I recently graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Music in music education. My two main instruments are trombone and guitar, although I have also taught bass guitar and other brass instruments privately.

My musical journey started with guitar lessons at age 8. I have played many genres of guitar throughout the years, including pop, rock, jazz, and classical music. I've played with bands as well as solo material, so no matter what you want to learn, I will be able to shed some light on your path to being the kind of guitar player you want to be.

I have been playing brass instruments for a little over ten years. I've played trombone in quite a variety of ensembles, including brass choirs, trombone choirs, wind ensembles, jazz bands, and brass quintets. I've spent four summers touring with a World Class Drum and Bugle Corps playing...

Colton is a Certified

Music Teacher in 78752

Want to learn piano but not sure where you want to start? Want to learn not just beautiful classics but rockin' blues riffs and jazz improvisation as well?

Or perhaps you'd like to learn low brass? Maybe you want to rip out some licks on a tuba, trombone, or euphonium?

Maybe you want to delve into the electronic world...

James is a recent graduate who received his Bachelor of Arts in Music with an emphasis in education at Cal Poly Pomona. While at Cal Poly Pomona he was the Director of the Bronco Pep Band, a student conductor for the Concert Band, and also performed with many ensembles including the Jazz Band, Latin/Salsa Band, and the Songwriter Showcase.

I have dedicated my whole life to music! I was raised in a large and extremely musical family and am realizing my dreams due solely to their support and guidance. I love passing on what my family has taught me to my students!

I have more than 10 years of piano training and the piano has always been my 'fun' instrument--I always had to be told to practice other instruments, but they couldn't get me to stop practicing piano! I love to incorporate games and music my students choose into each lesson in order to instill in them the same love of piano playing! I begin very young students with the Music for Little Mozarts piano series. Students who are more mature begin with either the Alfred's Basic Piano Course series or the Bastien series, depending on student preference and temperament. I realize that while these methods, and others, are comprehensive and very effective, each student may require a different approach. For that reason I do not teach solely from these methods, but...

NOW teaching online lessons! Contact TakeLessons to schedule a trombone, trumpet, or tuba lesson via Skype.

I've appeared on records with dozens of NYC area bands, and perform as a classical trombonist in all five boroughs and New Jersey.

I listen to and play all kinds of music from Beethoven to Stravinsky, Arcade Fire to Beyonce, James Brown to Snoop Dogg/Lion. I have had the pleasure to share the stage with rockers Dee Snider (Twisted Sister), Scott Weiland (Stone Temple Pilots), and Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater), and jazz greats Maynard Ferguson, Jimmie Lunceford, Conrad Herwig, "Blue" Lou Marini, and Jeff Coffin (Flecktones).

I've played guitar, bass, trumpet, trombone, tuba, French horn, violin, cello, and string bass in virtually all different styles, but some of my favorite projects have been:
Quilty (Pavement-style hard rock band with me on trombass)
The Nevermind Orchestra (brass band that covers Nirvana tunes; I play trombone)
Chill Sons (my own band for which...

I've been playing trumpet for just about 15 years. I studied trumpet at a college level at Lindenwood University, and have held top positions in the university's music ensembles, in spite of not being a music major. I will be graduating with my degree in Chemistry in 2013.
Outside of college, I play professionally with several groups, and sub in other ensembles whenever I can.
I have the most fun playing trumpet when I get to play higher and louder, so I specialize in jazz lead playing, and I rather enjoy the cover band gigs that keep me above the staff for hours at a time.
I have had the chance to study with a number of excellent world-class musicians, and I try to take the lessons I have learned from them and apply them towards helping my students. I'm trying to avoid name-dropping, but if you sign up for lessons, I promise to tell you all about it!
Also, I'm now doing online lessons too!

Nick comes from a family of four generations of music in the GREEK/Balkan repertoire. He graduated from Columbia College of Chicago with a concentration in Music Composition in December of 2009. Currently teaching and performing professionally, Nick enjoys all styles of music, but has been declared as an "old soul" by many of his friends. He enjoys playing lots of Motown, funk, and jazz, but is proficient in Classical, Rock, and Blues as well. When not playing music (rarely), he is a Board member for the GivingBackPack Foundation which provides school supplies to underprivileged children. Nick's dedication to education is shown through his music and his personal volunteer hours, he feels his diverse background gives his students an advantage to a broader perspective of music and theory.

Do you want a teacher who keeps you motivated and focused, who can show you all the skills of a well-rounded musician in a relaxed, friendly environment? I am the teacher for you! With a solid foundation in classical technique and jazz improvisation theory, I can tailor a plan for you to achieve your dreams in any style.

Jordan was born and raised in the El Centro, California where he began playing the alto sax in the elementary band program. At the age of 12, he began his study of guitar and drums, performing in several rock and ska bands around his home town and San Diego. At age 14, is where he found his love for brass instruments when he took up the trombone. While in high school he became a featured soloist with the Imperial Valley College Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of the legendary trumpeter Jimmy Cannon. It was this that lead Jordan to accept the Constance Weldon Music Scholarship to attend the University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL.

While performing...

Music is my life, and is something that I want to share with others! Because of that, I try my best to give positive experiences to all of my students. I have a byline that says "Music is Much More than Just Learning Notes." I believe that! Anyone can learn notes, fingerings, etc. What I try to do is add that "soul" element that each person has and cultivate that into meaningful music!

So, with all that said, here's what I try to instill:

A lesson is a place to share! I listen to students as well as teach. We all have something we can learn from each other!
While I want lessons to be fun and informative, I strive for complete understanding, which means any student will gain the needed mechanics with complete knowledge of why things happen and what they do to and for music. From there, I attempt to teach the "soul" of music and how emotion and spirit play a huge part in memorable music.
I don't believe in brow-beating, but I also don't want to pass...

A love of music began in the third grade. I started on a silver metal clarinet and have not stopped playing. I am a musician, composer, arranger and performer. I hold a B.A. in music and have taught in the schools for 22 years. I bring extensive knowledge and humor to my teaching. I enjoy working with all age levels and pride myself on being intensely positive.