Cicero, IN Tuba Lessons

Will provide sheet music and exercises. My students should have a working instrument as well as any method book or sheet music we are working on.

*** Specialties ***
I teach all styles and genres

sic 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 over things. I don't believe practice makes perfect, but I do believe practice increases awareness!

I really try hard to help students move beyond the notes on the page. We may listen to music and describe how it makes us feel, or paint pictures both physical and mental of what the music is showing us. That is where I see the soul stepping in.

My Education

As stated before, I started on a little Magnus Organ. My grandmother told me years later that I would listen to television jingles and then try to play them on the organ!

Once we settled in our permanent home, my parents brought home a piano and I began working first with Robert Warnick, a local music teacher in the schools. He taught scales and chords. Then, Midge Bishop took me through John Thompson Grade 3, but then had to move away. Finally, I studied under Victoria Hope, lasting 13 years until I went on to college. She taught me the fine art of piano by continually challenging me to approach each piece as an artwork. She had me use the music to paint the picture. Naturally, the element of the soul came through as I put color to music.

My Experience

Throughout my elementary through high school days, I immersed myself in band, choir and drama. I played piano at church starting very young. I then began trombone in the band during 4th grade. Upon entering high school, I joined choir and participated in marching band, concert band, pep band and jazz band. During those years, I picked up the rest of the brass instruments as needed by my band director. In choir, I excelled both in voice and on piano through accompaniment. Later in high school, I joined up with the drama department where we ultimately had the opportunity to write our own musical. By the time I entered college, I had mastered all the brass instruments, piano and snare drum.

During college, I participated in the marching band, wind ensemble, jazz band, pep band, trombone choir, several pit orchestras, and the symphony orchestra. I also participated in the choir.

Since that time, I have mastered the woodwinds, organ, drum set guitar and bass guitar and a little violin. I have over 25 years experience teaching lessons. They occurred off and on throughout my younger days.

Subjects Taught

Private lessons on all instruments and voices, Music Theory, Music History, Art History, Architectural History, Acting, set building, lighting and sound.

Specialties

Piano, Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Baritone, Tuba, Voice, alto and tenor saxophone, percussion

Formal Education

1984-89 Bachelor of Science in K-12 Music Education
(Choral, Instrumental and General)
Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana

1991-95 Master of Divinity in Theology and Ministry
Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis, Indiana

Ages Taught

5 through 114 (I haven't seen anyone older, have you?) I believe it is a good idea that a child can read the written word. Reading music occurs in similar ways.

*** Lesson Details ***
I ask lots of questions so I can get to know you better. This is also an opportunity for you ask questions of me. At the beginning, I encourage parents to attend so they can see what these lessons entail. I give you assignments to work with and then you play them for me to receive praise and constructive suggestions. I also try to challenge my students to move beyond the normal curriculum to play other things that interest them.

Depending on the instrument and the experience you have helps me determine what curriculum I want to use. Again, I cater my lessons to the needs you have and by how you like to learn!

After 3 to 6 mos, I hope you have a good working knowledge of how music works and are now moving into intermediate level work. However, each student is different and work a different speeds. My main goal is for you to feel successful whenever you leave my studio!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Baby Grand Piano, electronic Keyboard, Drum Set, Snare Drum

in my schedule to teach any one who is serious about excelling on his/her instrument. I look forward to helping you reach your potential.

Parkinson, Peter Sullivan, Peter Ellefson and Joe Duchi.

nd learn some amazing things. I also teach video editing and production and have filmed and edited many videos that are used today in HR training

ritory Staff Band. I also play with my church brass band at the Salvation Army!

I have experience performing as a soloist in San Diego, Los Angeles, Boston, San Francisco, Las Vegas, New Jersey, Atlanta, Seattle, Norway, United Kingdom and most recently Angola. I've also performed in Alaska, Arizona, Denver, New York, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Canada, Mexico, Brazil and Germany. I enjoy playing in almost any medium from Brass Band, Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, Big Band, and even Bavarian Octoberfest Bands. I've also been known to play a little valve trombone in contemporary worship bands, but don't tell any slide trombone players that because they tend to get jealous!

I have a passion for helping people grow and improve as musicians, whether you are 8 years old or 80 years old, or any age. We can all improve and grow!

beginners. Once the student has demonstrated a strong understanding of the fundamentals of brass playing, I will begin introducing them to different solos, scales, and other repertoire in the hopes that they may want to perform in competition or recital.

For more advanced players, I try to find out what the student's specific goals are, and work with them to best achieve said goals. I have a plethora of etudes, solos, and other material to keep them interested in building up their abilities. Few things are as rewarding for me than being able to witness one of my students thrive in the performing arts! Therefore, it is important that my students have as much fun as possible and can feel accomplished achieving firm, yet reachable, personal goals. Acknowledging accomplishments helps students feel valued and like their efforts are worth something - fostering a readiness to learn more. I want to do whatever I can to help my students achieve greatness - however they may see fit. By trying to find out what inspires my students, I can successfully engineer my instruction to their wants and needs.