Kenner, LA Music Performance Lessons

lassical piano department in the School of the Arts High School of San Francisco. There I went through rigorous classical training and learned vast amounts of repertoire. At the same time, I still studied and played jazz in the high school Big Band, Latin Jazz band and small jazz combo. It was during this time that I deeply focused on not only Jazz music and improvisation, but also Salsa, Latin Jazz, R&B, Funk, Pop. Basically all other forms and styles of music. I learned what it means to be in a band and how to make an ensemble sound good and to make an audience like and cheer for the music. I was lucky to have bands and musicians to play with all around San Francisco, including jazz festivals.

After graduating as the only student to study in the Piano department for 4 years in my graduating class, I was accepted with scholarship to Berklee College of Music in Boston. I started my first semester in 2009, and declared a Piano Performance and Jazz Composition Dual Major in 2010. At Berklee, I studied under amazing piano teachers to focus on my jazz playing and technique and repertoire. Some of the classes I took included music theory, ear training, composition and arranging, scoring and analysis, even guitar and bass labs. As well, I was the main piano player for the Berklee Salsa Ensemble for 3 straight years. I was also involved with bands and playing recitals, shows, clubs, outdoors and indoor venues throughout Boston and Massachusetts. I had the honor of being hired by Berklee to travel and play along with other selected students at the Carnaval de Barranquilla honoring Joe Arroyo. This was the most memorable musical experience for me yet, as I played along great musicians for hundreds of people in a theater, including Joe Arroyo sharing the stage with the band.

All of this experience and training is what I bring to my lessons and tutoring sessions. I teach my students how to prepare themselves for any kind of musical situation, from music theory and technique, to piano playing and repertoire, and understanding and playing all kinds of styles and genres of music. Most of all, I teach my students to be unique in their musical endeavors and to bring out their own voice through music. And the most important element of all, the happiness and joy it brings to the students and others.

*** Lesson Details ***
In my piano and music lessons, you will be learning music theory, proper piano technique, ear training, sight reading, and repertoire. It will be up to the student to determine what genre and style of music they want to learn and study. It can be anything from classical music, jazz, or even Funk and R&B music and more. My students will also develop an ear, meaning that instead of only focusing on written material and music in sheet music format, they will learn to hear intervals and chords, and also play or sing back melodies.

My teaching style is very easy to get along with. I don't pressure or push students by being too strict. When learning music, being hard and strict gets the student nowhere. I approach the student with listening and understanding. It's my job to see the students advantages and keep them strong, as well as working on bringing up weaknesses and what's needed to make the student excel in both playing technique, and all other musical aspects.

When it comes to proper piano technique, I always teach my students with "Hanon, the Virtuoso Pianist in sixty excercises", and "Scales, Chords & Arpeggios" by James Bastien. After 3-6 months as my student, you will progress in your technique skills, ear training, repertoire and memorization

*** Studio Equipment ***
Main keyboard: Nord Stage 2 88 keysRecording equipment: M-Audio ProFire 2626 interface (modified), Black Lion Audio Inst/Mic Preamp, Black Lion Audio Master clock, KRK Rokit 6's, Shure SM57/SM58, Sterling Audio ST57 FET Condenser microphone, MacBook Pro with Logic, Ableton Live, Reason, Digital PerformerBass: Fender '57 reissue P Bass, made in JapanGuitar: Fender Deluxe Players Stratocaster, made in MexicoAmps: Behringer PA/Keyboard amp, Fender DeVille 2X12 60W all tube Guitar amp

*** Travel Equipment ***
Sheet music material and copied pages from books. Student should be able to provide their own books.

*** Specialties ***
Classically trained in Piano. Most recent styles and genres include Jazz, Fusion, Blues, Rock, Funk, R&B/Soul, Latin, Latin-Jazz, Salsa, Afro-Cuban

eparatory private charter school and the Arizona Music Academy. I teach all levels of guitar, bass, and drums and tailor every lesson to the individual student’s needs and personality. My annual recitals are live-performance concerts featuring bands and other performing groups formed from among my students along with solo performances. My students also perform regularly throughout the community and are successful in their musical endeavors at all ages. I teach a wide range of genres and styles from classical music, blues, jazz and rock to heavy metal with an emphasis on becoming A-Level lead guitar soloists and song writers. I teach songwriting skills, music theory, and have even helped many of my guitar students be able to sing better while learning their main instrument.

*** Lesson Details ***
I make my lessons fun and informative and have had many students stay with me for up to 7 years. I show you everything you will ever need to know about music theory but in a very useful applicable way. I teach popular songs from any artist and classics that have stood the test of time and show you how to become a great song writer of your own giving you an insider’s knowledge about how to perform and have the audience standing asking for more. No matter if you want to become a pro lead guitar player or just play to have fun I can show you how to sing and play the guitar or piano at the same time or singing songs from church as well as your favorite rock or pop songs with confidence.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Just my own guitar and amp they need their own equipment.

*** Specialties ***
Classical, flamenco, rock, heavy metal guitar. I have also developed new classical guitar techniques that I call the "trem" stroke and the "harpeggio"

re completed at the American University, where I majored in Communications (B.A.), and minored in Music, voice being my instrument. During my undergraduate studies, I was recruited and performed as the lead female vocalist for a Rock band that a few fellow music students had formed. While in college, I was trained in classical voice, piano, music theory, musical theater performance, and vocal pedagogy (vocal training). My vocal pedagogy studies credentialed me to become a professional vocal instructor. I began teaching voice after I earned my degree, and have been teaching private voice lessons for over ten years.

Most of my present expertise in teaching voice grew from my vocal pedagogy studies, my teaching experience which has developed over time, my own personal vocal dedication, and my training and understanding of various genres of vocal performance. My present singing career is as an inspirational singer; my vocal students encompass various genres in which I have experience, including: Inspirational, Rhythm and Blues, Jazz, Rock, Classical, as well as various degrees of popular music.

*** Audition Preparation ***
I have coached many of my students to prepare for auditions: auditions to be accepted into performing arts schools, parts in musicals and plays, joining a band or vocal ensemble, as well as auditions for televised singing shows, such as "The Voice," "Sunday's Best," "American Idol" and "The X Factor."

*** Lesson Details ***
I teach students by using the tried and true techniques I have found to be successful, and allow the student to be my guide as to which direction to take with his or her vocal training. Whether the student is a novice, a professional, or somewhere in between, each student, after obtaining the basic singing knowledge and techniques, will have a vocal training schedule geared to his or her individual needs and development. Lessons are for the most part very casual in nature, and the student’s dedication (practice, practice, practice) will dictate whether or not the lessons become stricter. A few months into the vocal instruction, students will be given the opportunity to learn more about reading music and sight singing, if he or she so chooses, as well as vocal performance techniques for singing in front of an audience. Within one year, dedicated students may also have the opportunity to show off what they have learned, and perform in front of an audience at a recital with other vocal students. Please note that my preference is to work with teens age 13 through adults of any age. I believe that younger voices need more time to develop and stand to be damaged if too much stress is put on them too soon. However, exceptions for children under 13 may be made for gifted young singers.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Home studio- entry room of home, baby grand piano, seating area, dry erase board, mirrors
Music Studio- one recording studio, seating area, classroom

*** Travel Equipment ***
If needed, I provide a portable piano keyboard, microphone with amplifier, paper handouts of lessons, etc. The student needs to have paper to take notes and a writing instrument.

*** Specialties ***
Most of my voice lesson experience has been with adults, and contemporary popular and inspirational music.

ophone quartets, private oboe lessons, and group guitar class.

Carl completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in saxophone performance at the University of Kansas in 2014, and his Master of Music Pedagogy and Performance from Oklahoma State University in 2011. He graduated from Harrah High School in 2002, earned his Bachelor of Music Education from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 2008, and was a 5th-12th grade Head Band Director at Fairview Public schools. He is currently a member of the North American Saxophone Alliance, the Jazz Education Network, Music Teachers National Association, treasurer of the National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors, and an Honorary Member of Tau Beta Sigma. He has held previous memberships with Kappa Kappa Psi, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Kappa Delta Pi, and the Oklahoma Bandmasters Association.

While at KU, Carl was also a graduate teaching assistant for the saxophone studio and jazz studies program. His responsibilities included Assistant Director of the KU Jazz Festival, directing Jazz Ensembles II-III, directing Jazz Combo III-VI, assisting with the KU Jazz Festival, directing Saxophone Quartets II-III, teaching private saxophone lessons, assisting in saxophone studio class, and teaching the music education woodwind methods course. His Lecture Recital Document, A Performer’s Analysis of Selected Jazz Works for Saxophone Quartet, featured an interview with Bob Mintzer. Carl was a member of KU Jazz Ensemble I, KU Saxophone Quartet I, and KU's Helianthus New Music Ensemble. As a member of KU's Jazz Ensemble 1, Carl has performed with Dave Douglas, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Alex Sipiagin, Steve Owen, Gary Foster, Steve Houghton, Clint Ashlock, David von Kampen, Peter Epstein, Jeff Miley, James Miley, Roger Shew, and Brian Hamada, Brandon Draper, Rich Wheeler, Beau Bledsoe, Jeff Harshbarger, and Matt Otto. In July 2014, Carl went on a European tour with KU Jazz Ensemble I featuring Steve Leisring and Deborah Brown. Together, they performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, the Vienne Jazz Festival in France, and performed in several cities in Germany. Recordings by this band resulted in KU winning the DownBeat Student Award (Graduate College Large Jazz Ensemble Division) in 2015.

While at OSU, Carl was a GTA for the saxophone studio and music theory programs. His responsibilities included Music Theory I-IV tutoring and grading, sight-singing grading, piano labs, classical and jazz saxophone lessons, saxophone quartet coaching, saxophone studio Webmaster, and saxophone studio class. Carl was a member of the OSU Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble 1. He had a regularly performing jazz trio and played in OSU's X2End saxophone quartet. The X2End quartet performed locally at the 2011 Navy Band Saxophone Symposium in Washington D.C., at the 2011 NASA Region IV Conference, and has won the state and division rounds of the 2010-2011 MTNA Chamber Music Competition. The X2End quartet went on to win the 3rd place prize at the national final round of the MTNA Chamber Music Competition. They also were the Division II Chamber Ensemble winners at the 2011 Hubbard Music Competition where they were awarded the 2nd place prize in the overall finals. Carl's final degree paper at OSU was a study of composer/performer collaboration. He traveled to Texas, Michigan, and Ohio to interview saxophonists and composers including David Dees, Peter Fischer, John Sampen,Marilyn Shrude, Joe Lulloff, and Charles Ruggiero. He has presented his lecture at the 2011 Navy Band Saxophone Symposium, the 2011 NASA Region IV Conference, and the 2012 OSU Single Reed Summit. As a member of OSU's Jazz Ensemble 1, he has performed with Bob Sheppard, Conrad Herwig, Wayne Bergeron, and Andy Martin.

While at SWOSU, Carl performed as a member of the marching band, wind ensemble, Jazz Ensemble A, saxophone quartet, and his own jazz combo named Five-Seven. As a member of SWOSU's Jazz Ensemble A, he has performed with Dan Haerle, Bob Bowman, Jack Mouse, Fred Forney, Janice Borla, Eddie Daniels, Pamela York, Lynn Seaton, Carl Allen, Dr. Michael Cox, Tom Williams, Dr. Robert Chambers, Dave Hanson, Drori Mondlak, Delores Williams, Byron Stripling, Frank Wess, Kenny Drew Jr.,Dennis Mackrel, Bill Watrous, Rich Eames, Jennifer Leitham, and Randy Drake.
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Carl's primary saxophone instructors have been Vince Gnojek, Dr. Jeffrey Loeffert, Dr. Ann Bradfield, Dr. Keith Talley, and William Rodney Hull. He has had additional instruction in lessons and masterclasses from Gary Foster, Dr. Joseph Murphy, Dr. Michael Cox, Bob Sheppard, Johnny Salinas, Dr. Kimberly Goddard Loeffert, Dr. Geoffrey Deibel, Dr. Jonathan Nichol, Dr. Griffin Campbell, Dr. James Laughlin, and Dr. David Dees. Carl's jazz directors have included Dan Gailey, Bob McCurdy, Dr. Jonathan Martin, Dr. Keith Talley, and Dr. Terry Segress.

​Carl lives in Brookings, South Dakota. He enjoys recording several instruments in his home studio and composing new music. His compositions that have been performed include his big band arrangement of Cat Battles by Joshua Redman,September in the Refrain (alto saxophone and electronics), Funk-o-matic (jazz combo), Smooth (jazz combo), and The Deadline Arrives at Dawn (alto saxophone and electronics). As an advocate of new music involving the saxophone, he has participated in a commissioning consortium for Alone Together by composer David MacDonald through Kick Starter. In 2013, Carl performed the premier of Cuento #3 by Nelson Ramirez Diaz. During summer of 2014, he recorded selections from Dr. John Walker's "The Alto Saxophone in the Attic," published by Carl Fischer. At the 10th Annual SDSU/Brookings Optimist Jazz Festival in 2015, Carl directed SDSU Jazz Ensemble I's premier of Dog, Tired by David von Kampen.

​Dr. Carl is a Conn-Selmer Endorsing Artist. He hosted the North American Saxophone Alliance Region 3 (ND, SD, NE, MN, IA) Conference at South Dakota State University on March 17-18, 2017. On Saturday, April 8, 2017, Carl performed Dreams in the Dusk by David Biedenbender with South Dakota State University's Wind Symphony, directed by Dr. Jacob Wallace. On Monday, February 6, 2017, Carl will be performed the premiere of Lhotse for alto saxophone and percussion by Steve Danyew with Dr. Aaron Ragsdale.

feeds the other, is an ongoing process that requires a deepening awareness for the teaching artist of what their teaching brings to their art and what their art teaches them about learning.”

I am devoted and dedicated to helping find each of my students strengths, weaknesses and style of learning. Once I have identified these traits, I am able to develop lessons and repertoire that helps each students become the most efficient learner and best musician they can be.

I pride myself in creating a fun and safe learning environment in which I establish a firm musical foundation for my students. Lessons include: scales, etudes, articulation, dynamic and sight reading exercises, standard saxophone repertoire, recording and analyzing performances, saxophone/music history lessons, and exploration of the sounds, genres and artists of the saxophone.

Simultaneously, my students cultivate many other skills while learning how to play saxophone. Students enhance their fine motor skills and ability to memorize, students increase their overall self-confidence and become self-sufficient and creative problem solvers. I am passionate about educating and empowering my students and I enjoy connecting with a wide array of musicians of all ages, playing levels and backgrounds.

Feel free to contact me to inquire about lessons, I hope to hear from you soon!

Stephanie

k, R&B, and jazz. Trained by some of the best artists and teachers in Virginia and Texas, I have gained extensive knowledge in vocal pedagogy that has allowed me to become versed in numerous styles and crossover genres. Contact me and we can discuss in more detail want you are looking for in a voice teacher, your vocal goals and experiences, as well as availability and location details. Do not miss the opportunity to work with someone who is really dedicated to nurturing voices and serving art in a down to earth way and will get you where you want to go fast.

ase basis, tailored to each individual student. Everyone is at a different waypoint on their path so why would I use a predetermined formula to try and help them, am I right? I am excited to meet and grow with every single one of you, let's learn to love the life we have and let our studies become radiant!

I teach all kinds of disciplines from guitar, mandolin, banjo, and clarinet, to creative writing, meditation, and even astrology. If you have any questions about my teaching methods, skill level in a certain discipline, or anything thing you can think of I would be more than happy to answer you!

Musically yours,
Grant