Marina del Rey, CA French Horn Lessons

I teach beginner french horn. I can help students learn to read music, play with good tone and technique, learn fingerings, and play from a book or school band music.

I have been playing horn for 20 years and graduated with my Masters from CalArts where I studied horn with Robin Graham and Daniel Grabois in New York before that. I am equally at home in jazz/rock/pop in addition to Classical playing. Before moving to LA four years ago I toured the east coast playing with NYC band Horse's Mouth and was the Principle Hornist in the Sage City Symphony in Vermont.

Depending on each student's goals/needs, we will focus on Classical horn technique, jazz/pop/rock horn, improvisation, orchestra/chamber/solo repertoire, and/or electronic processing on the horn.

Books used: Standard of Excellence (beginner), Essential Elements (beginner), Yamaha (beginner), Kopprasch (intermediate/advanced), Maxime-Alphonse (advanced), Verne Reynolds (advanced)

As a former all-state french horn player with several full ride scholarship offers, I know what it takes to become an excellent french horn player.

French horn is one of the most difficult brass instruments to play because the partials are so close together (you can play many notes without changing the valve combinations) - it requires good ear training and accuracy in your embouchure to play successfully. I've developed several techniques to train beginning and intermediate french horn players.

French horn is a BEAUTIFUL instrument, let's play together!

25 + yrs playing/teaching experience
Classical to Jazz
Fun mixed with work

I studied with Dale Clevenger at Indiana University for my Masters degree and bring the philosophy of musical goals first and foremost. The most important part of playing horn is sound and I will work with you to get the best sound possible.

I've been teaching music, tutoring, and performing for a combined 30 years and my students have gone on to be in the President's Own, Army Band, Marine Band, ALL State musicians, DCI Musicians, and many scholarship recipients at major Universities. I specialize in instrumental lessons, typically use Arban, Rubank, and traditional method books, and SmartMusic!. I love working with students of all ages and experience levels and I can't wait to meet you!

All levels and ages welcome! Whether you are playing your first notes or you are preparing for a career, I would love to help you with your horn playing. I definitely emphasize technique and believe that strong fundamentals in breath control, articulation, and dynamic range are so incredibly helpful for the production of the gorgeous sound we all know and love in the Horn. My lessons differ greatly from student to student and I will work with you on any aspect of horn playing you would like to learn and improve.

I am a professional orchestral trombonist and I have been an active brass teacher for almost twenty years. I have played in orchestras across the USA and Europe, including the Cincinnati Symphony, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Scottish Chamber Orchestra and many more.

I aim to give my students a solid understanding of the technical skills required to play a brass instrument, and to share with them the musical knowledge I have gained from studying with some of the best brass teachers in the world.

I have helped many french horn students place in All-State ensembles, compete for seating placements, and earn top marks in solo and ensemble competitions.

've been teaching for over 20 years. I will customize lessons for each student, depending on their goals and ability level. Sight Reading, breathing, flexibilities, sound quality, tonguing, technique...we'll cover it all.
I've performed all over the world from Carnegie Hall to the Royal Albert Hall.
Sign up and let's get going!