Saxophone with Aidan F.

I'm a professional saxophonist, composer, and arranger. I graduated from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies. In my life, I have been fortunate enough to study with jazz legends such as NEA Jazz Master Barry Harris, Gary Smulyan, Victor Lewis, Ralph Bowen, and Bill O'Connell. My saxophone students should expect to work on mastering the fundamentals of the instrument, as it relates to embouchure and technique. We also will cover ear training every lesson, as the combination of these two elements will build the foundation for anything else the student wishes to learn in music. My composition students should expect to work on traditional voiceleading and harmony, as well as how to arrange music for all varieties of ensembles. This includes everything from lead sheets to a full orchestra. Ear training is also essential for composers to translate what is in one's mind into a piece either in traditional notation, or realized electronically. I also teach composers how to work with the essential software of the industry, namely Sibelius or Finale, Ableton Live (including Max4Live), and Logic Pro. All of my students will work on these foundations. From there, I work with my students to create a tangible system to organize their practice and goals so that we can work on more specific areas relevant to what they want out of their musical life. This system is extremely flexible and effective. I also encourage and assist my students to use this system in other areas of their lives, such as academics or sports. The skills needed for a high level of achievement are similar no matter the subject. The benefits of music education are praised often, but a direct approach to transferring those skills makes them far more tangible. I teach students both in my own home or out of theirs, dependent on what works for the individual. I cover all styles of music both for performance and composition.