Excelsior Music Lessons for Seniors

I have been gigging, both classically and in jazz, in the greater DFW Metroplex for about 9 years. I attended high school close by, and I am the only two-time 6A All-State tenor trombonist in my city's history. I have completed two years at the University of North Texas, and have been teaching for approximately two years. I consistently double between tenor & bass trombone, having a great deal of experience in both instruments, in both classical and jazz settings. Outside of trombone, I also play trumpet/cornet, tuba, vocals, guitar, bass, and piano. I am an avid rock/metal listener, and compose my own music, mainly fusing metal and jazz. Because of this, I feel this makes me an extremely diverse instrumentalist. I have studied with such influential figures as Tony Baker (UNT, Dallas Opera Orchestra), Steve Menard (UNT, Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra), Dennis Bubert (UT Arlington, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra), and more.

I am very comfortable with all major areas of Percussion: Drumset, Concert Percussion, Marching Percussion, Latin Percussion, Steel Pan, Percussion Ensemble. I work to find effective ways to have people discover their hidden talents and show them how to build skills to play at whatever level they want.

I am a composer at heart, and a longtime music theory nerd. I have composed pieces for solo piano, rock bands, electronic music productions, piano trios, and even symphony orchestras. My love of music theory began in my teenage years when I wanted to investigate what it was about certain pieces of music that were so unexpectedly beautiful and emotionally compelling. I now have a solid grasp on the harmonic and formal structures that underlie classical, jazz, pop, and rock music, and this is the knowledge I will pass along to you to help you write music that is compelling and meaningful.

We will take a look at the music that has moved you in the past in order to give you a harmonic vocabulary, and we will also look at some music you haven't heard before as a way of stretching your awareness.

We can also discuss the psychological roadblocks people often run into when they compose, and discuss how the creative process works.

I would love having you as a student, so I hope you'll

My goal as Piano teacher is to encourage, inspire, and challenge each one of my students. I bring my passion and love for the instrument into every lesson. I enjoy teaching many different styles ranging from jazz, classical, and pop. I also received my Bachelors Degree in Music Composition from Cal State Northridge.
Learning to play music has been my biggest blessing in life, and my goal is to share this wonderful world with my students.

"Music is enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime is not enough for Music"
-Sergei Rachmaninov

Students can expect to learn at an easy and thorough pace. With my lessons, you can take your time no rush. I will work with every student one on one. Each lesson will be well planned and organized, but also it will be fun. If you don't understand something, I will work so that you do understand it. There is no pressure in learning. You can work at your own pace. Looking forward to working with each and everyone of you.

I have been on all side of a musical theater production and have been the music director for a variety of shows. Including; Last 5 years, Nice work if you can Get it, COMPANY, Anything Goes, Grease, Bye Bye Birdie, and In the Heights. Singing in this style is different then classical and is more fun!