Thornton, CO Trumpet Lessons

ild Jazz Trumpet Solo Competition, finalist in the Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Solo Competition, recipient of the ASCAP Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award, selected-participant at the Banff International Summer Intensive Program in Jazz and Creative Music and the School of Improvisational Music Summer Intensive Program, recipient of 5 Semi-Finalist selections and 1 finalist/honorable-mention selection in the International Songwriting Competition.

As an educator, I have taught all-level/all-age group music playing and appreciation courses for several New York-based organizations: The Afro-Latin Jazz Academy, The Gramercy Brass Orchestra of New York, New York Ensemble Classes, the Lyceum Kennedy International School, Jubilee Enrichment Programs, and The New York Jazz Academy. Currently, I am finishing 6 semesters of service as a Graduate Part-Time Instructor at the University of Colorado, Boulder, where I teach multiple ensembles as well as a 100+ student History of Jazz lecture class.

I have also been practicing various forms of meditation practices and Yoga practices for the past 5 years. My influences span from Astral Projection to Reiki, to Vipassana Meditation, to Visualization Techniques, and much more. I believe and live by the idea that creativity is an energy that flows through us, and one's creative abilities can be improved and expanded, through the emotional body, which is influenced by one's perceptions. Throughout my training in music and the arts, I have realized that creative flow and love for what one is and does can be applied to anything in life.

Because of my 7+ years experience as a professional artist living in New York City, my students receive both guidance in discovering their own voice and comfort within their desired field of practice, and also practical approaches to retain and utilize their training and pre-ordained skill sets, with self-application and diligence. Through study with me, my students enable themselves to swiftly make progress and move toward a life of renewed purpose and fulfilment. Through specific assignments, exercises, and practices my students foster a real relationship with their instruments, and themselves, thus unlocking their creative minds, for usage in all aspects of their lives.

I teach out of a my home apartment studio on the upper east side, complete with weighted 88-key digital piano, Bose high quality speakers, recording equipment, as well as musical media, and tablature spanning many musical genres, cultures and time periods. I also am equipped with a spacious floor space for Yoga, Pilates, Weight Lifting, Meditation, and more. Additionally, I am able to travel to any location within the five boroughs for an additional travel fee (TBD based on location).

While I specialize in the following broad areas of musical study, my specialties are not limited to: General Music, Composition, Arranging, Ear Training, Music History (includes classical, jazz, and world musics), Music Theory, Sight Singing, and Songwriting. I also specialize in the following instruments: Trumpet, flugelhorn, and Piano/Keyboards.

I look forward to helping you realize your potential! Let's get started...

theatrical dance show Dancing at the Crossroads and his arrangements have been played by chamber groups throughout northern Colorado.

*** Lesson Details ***
My lessons are geared towards a set of goals that are created between the student's wants and my expectations for them to be successful at what the student wants to achieve. For each student, I use a different set of pedagogical tools designed to get them to the goals they want. The main goal I have for all my students is that their fundamentals on their instrument will be at the level that they can complete their goals with ease. Over their time with me, they will have the skills to coach themselves when they practice and tackle any music they come across.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I expect them to provide and music stand and their music. These are both things that they need to have at their home for practice.

*** Specialties ***
I teach and perform both jazz and classical music. Almost any style that uses a trombone or brass instruments, I have performed in and have a strong foundation in.

e string-by-string approach using simple songs to start. Your first lesson will be a combination of reading notes on a page and reading chords on a chord chart. You will come out of the lesson learning at least 3 notes and one chord. Weekly goals are set and a practice routine is discussed.

Intermediate players- After a quick assessment of your abilities we will discuss your future goals as a player. We could pursue classical guitar with additional lessons in note reading and fingering methods, or we could focus more on chords and strum patterns if you prefer to sing and play your favorite artists.

Advanced players- this is where it gets fun. We go where you want to go. I will provide guidance based on your strengths and weaknesses. We will choose music that can display your strengths, and challenge your weaknesses. Remember, there's always someone better than you!

Drum:

Beginning players- All of my lessons follow my own, proven teaching method. All lessons take place with the student at the drum kit playing 90% of the time. I approach all drum lessons beat-by-beat always with a metronome. My goal for the first lesson is to teach at least one basic pattern. We progress through a series of hundreds of different drum patterns that become increasingly more difficult. Every week is a new opportunity to practice clean technique and improve internal timing.

Intermediate players- After a brief assessment of your abilities we will begin discussing concepts of pattern construction. You will start coming up with of your own patterns and ideas. I will provide guidance for more complex fills and I will give tips to help you figure out the right groove for the right song. Every week is a new opportunity to add another tool to your kit.

Advanced players- come and teach ME something! I'm still working on super triplets and sextuplets in 5/4 time :-)

I also teach trumpet at beginner and intermediate levels. I have prepared many students for tryout pieces (solo, regionals, chair placement, etc). I also am experienced in tone improvement, endurance studies, range extension, and accuracy improvement. I use many different method books, but I prefer Arbans and Clarks.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Drums
5 piece Pearl kit- full cymbals. Beginner half sized kit upon request.
Guitar- bring your own acoustic.
Trumpet- bring your own.
Chairs, stands, and some music provided.
Hal Leonard method book required for beginning guitar students.

*** Specialties ***
Acoustic guitar- Christian Praise&Worship, classical picking and positions, strum patterns.
Drums- 4/4, 3/4, 6/8, quarters, eights, sixteenths. Rock, funk, ballad, pop.
Trumpet- range, endurance, flexibility.

e. I have a routine I do, that I will start students with, but am very open to modification based on student needs/desires.

I perform jazz professionally in Los Angeles, and have spent time touring in playing in the San Francisco Bay Area, New York, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Macedonia, Canada, and have performed or led groups internationally at the Umbria Jazz Festival, the North Sea Jazz Festival, the Montreux Jazz Festival, the Tuscia Jazz Festival, the Angel City Jazz Festival and the Monterey Jazz Festival. You can hear my original compositions and playing on bandcamp or soundcloud.

and adolescents, while teaching private lessons.