Swisher, IA Trumpet Lessons

and New Jersey and has taught at the secondary level in both states. In addition to both instrumental and choral ensembles at Penn State, Thomas was a student leader in the Penn State Blue Band and a member of the brass section of the Cadets of Bergen County Drum and Bugle Corps in 1993 and 1994. He served as an Associate Director of the Warren Junior Military Band of Youngstown, Ohio from 1995 to 2005. He also served as a visual staff member for the renowned North Penn Marching Knights of Lansdale, PA for one season in 2004.

He is a current adjudicator with Drum Corps International and Cavalcade of Bands. He is a member of MENC, PMEA, NJMEA, ASCAP, CASA, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and the National Band Association. He appeared in the Marquis Who's Who Among American Educators in 2004 and 2005, an honor rarely bestowed upon teachers, as students who appear in the Who's Who Among American High School Students must nominate them. He currently is a music teacher at the Center for Performing and Fine Arts of the PA Leadership Charter School in West Chester, PA and resides in Downingtown, PA with his wife and two sons.

Thomas will happily work with students on the autism spectrum or students with ADD.

*** Lesson Details ***
My lessons are tailored to the needs and interests of each student. If a student is involved in school music ensembles, we will work with their lesson books from school in addition to material outside of the books, including SmartMusic, Noteflight, and teacher-created materials. We will focus on building proper tone production and individual technique - something that often is difficult to learn in a large ensemble setting.

I am capable of starting a beginner student on any band instrument including percussion, any classical string instrument (violin, viola, cello, string bass), and piano. I can begin a student on drum set and work with them through their first method book, but I would then recommend they find a specialized drum set teacher after a period of six to twelve months.

For advanced students, I work from selected conservatory etude books on developing advanced skills and can work with students on audition pieces for honors bands/orchestras or college auditions.

My lessons are a half-hour once a week, with the option of working for 45 minutes or 60 minutes.

*** Specialties ***
music, band, orchestra, flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, violin, viola, cello, string bass, piano, Percussion
classical, jazz improvisation

o Equipment ***
I have several guitars, a drum kit, djembe, mandolin, clarinet and full-size keyboard.

*** Specialties ***
Guitar: Classical, jazz, American or Irish folk, rock and pop; lead or rhythm.
Drums & Percussion: All genres
Piano: Classical (includes sight reading)

nding music theory are two important subjects that I offer. Along with that, a student can focus on any musical style from classical to jazz plus other important aspects like composing, reading and recording music.

I am willing to share my professional experience with any student who wants to become a player!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Steinway Grand Piano,
Electric Piano
Electric Bass
Synthesizers
French Horn
Trumpets

*** Travel Equipment ***
I bring music books to augment the student's library. However, students must provide their own instruments.

*** Specialties ***
Suzuki method for the 3 year old plus my father's method for ages 5 and older. After that, I teach according to the student's abilities and their goals.

ents in finding opportunities to perform in solo performances and with other groups. I also pride myself in creating an environment where the students are comfortable asking questions to help improve their playing.

Contact me for lessons today to enhance your playing.

*** Lesson Details ***
All my lessons are very personalized based on the student's interests, strengths, and weakness. For all my students, I try to find music for them to play that they are interested in learning while still covering the everything they need to get a solid foundation on their instrument. For my brass players, I place a huge emphasis on tone quality and production.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Eclipse and King trumpets
Benge trombone
Music Man, Fender, and Delta basses
GK, Ampeg, and SWR bass amps
Full recording capabilities!

*** Travel Equipment ***
Eclipse trumpet
Benge trombone
Music Man bass
Takamine acoustic guitar

*** Specialties ***
Brass (trumpet, trombone, French horn, euphonium/baritone, tuba), electric bass

t West Music in Coralville.

Currently I am affiliated with two professional orchestras in the Eastern Iowa area. I am the second trombonist in Orchestra Iowa based out of Cedar Rapids, and will be filling in as an interim second trombone for the 2017-2018 Quad City Symphony season. I have been playing in professional orchestras for the last ten years and can teach you orchestral style, and audition preparation.

In addition to my orchestra playing, I was also a member of Axiom Brass Quintet from 2012-2014 where we were the first prize winners at the International brass competition held in Passau Germany.

As a soloist, I was also the grand prize winner of the Chicago International Brass solo competition in 2012 on euphonium.
Currently, I am also an active member with the New Chicago Brass, a modern brass ensemble based out of Chicago. I am comfortable teaching all brass instruments for all ages and skill levels. I look forward to answering any questions you may have in regard to taking lessons on a brass instrument.