
Carl W.

Teaching Locations:


Teaching Locations:


Levels taught:
Beginner, Intermediate, AdvancedAbout Carl W.
As far back as I can remember I have always enjoyed performing music. I can remember during my elementary school years how I would play drums during church service. Some days I would sneak in my dad's closet to play his saxophone. I began learning how to play saxophone in middle school and by the time I was in high school I was learning piano, performing jazz, and composing music.
I went on to get a Bachelor of Music at the University of North Texas. I have been performing professionally for over 18 years. I also have taught band for 11 years in Dallas ISD. I enjoy teaching and mentoring other up and coming musicians. It's a joy to see another world open up to them through music.
Through my warm and positive personality and experience as a certified music teacher and music performer, I understand how to meet the social and educational needs of each music student. I am well versed at solving problems and helping students thrive and reach their full potential. I think that I do this best by personalizing the instruction experience for each unique situation. I love to encourage students and help them discover the music in them.
*** Lesson Details ***
Like me, students can expect to enjoy the process. Students will discover that I am very encouraging during lessons. I keep everything upbeat and positive. I will help you come up with goals musically. I am very patient, all while coaching you so that you get positive results.
*** Studio Equipment ***
Upright Baldwin piano, electronic keyboard 88 keys, music stands, sitting area for parent, CD/iPod stereo.
*** Specialties ***
Jazz, Gospel, Pop, Classical, Various styles
Reviews
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Carl is a wonderful instructor. I may get a little overzealous at times, but he’s always patient and he indulges my imagination of being Kenny Dee. :)

GREAT INSTRUCTOR!!! Carl is very patient when teaching technique. I liked the approach he'd take to help me understand fingering and learning theory behind what I was doing. Just unfortunate covid 19 came and disrupted my in-home teachings.....I'd recommend him to anybody looking for an good instructor.


From the very first lesson, I could tell that Carl would be a excellent fit for my daughter. She has studied classical piano for six years and wanted to learn some different musical styles. He helped her turn her one finger hunt and peck gospel song into something that sounded like Sunday morning. And he's been so good about helping her find music she likes to play. Highly recommend!

So far so good! Love the lesson


very good experience thank you

So far so good... I think I'll learn a lot from my instructor. I've noticed how patient he is. For me that mean a lot. I'm looking forward to gaining skill to be able to play with with confidence.


Great first experience. Look forward to learning more. Very friendly.

My son love it

Great! She is loving it so far. Thank you.


"Cool, amazing, fun, and I don't know what else" said my 9 year old son who has taken 4 weekly beginner lessons with Carl. "Carl will go at your own pace. He gives advice and will do a duet if you want him to with you. He is a great saxophone player."
We had to set up our home computer for web chat, but it seems to work very well and we can definitely hear my son's improvement week to week (he just started playing this fall). Carl is very patient and will send you music files and links that he thinks will help your student. Overall four thumbs up from the student and his (non-saxophone playing) parent.

Looking forward to next class

If you are looking for a piano teacher that teaches gospel music Carl is the one.
Carl is the best piano instructor that I ever had. I am 68 and I haven't taken lessons in years. I was afraid that because of my age I would have trouble remembering what I learned in the past. I have only had 3 lessons so far and I am already playing a gospel song. Carl's teaching approach is excellent. and he has a lot of patience. I am remembering things that I learned when I was young and Carl's approach to teaching gospel music is excellent. I am learning how chords are created in a way that I never learned before. Even though I take online piano lessons, it seems like Carl is in the same room with me. It's amazing how he can see me as well as my piano keyboard and I can see him and his keyboard. We talk to each other as if we are in the same room. I highly recommend him to teach all ages because he has a lot of patience.

Carl was excellent. I took lessons when I was a child but Carl's way of teaching makes it so easy for me to understand. I can/t wait for my next lesson.

Carl is a great teacher! My son is very excited to learn every time.


Amazing and patient instructor. Wonderful with young musicians! Highly recommend.

Very patient and informative

My first lesson with Carl was great. His location is good for teaching the instrument. His knowledge of saxophone and music theory is excellent and the majority surpasses my own. After a long period of not having lessons, I’ve discovered through Carl’s teaching that I have a lot of work to do to improve, and I even consider myself someplace between an amateur and a professional player.

Is very nice and is a good teacher I would recommend him to anyone that wants to learn piano.

He is nice and smart and a good teacher. I would recommend him to anyone that is needs lessons.

I look forward to my lesson every week! Wouldn’t dare choose another instructor




So far so good! Carl is very chill and patient which is what I need as I return to the world of piano instruction after decades away.


Carl is fantastic! I am a self-taught piano player of 10 years and Carl is helping me take my playing to the next level!



Very patient and knowledgeable. We look forward to continuing our son's lesson with Carl.

Great first lesson. Carl provided some much needed structure for my approach to jazz improv. We reviewed modes and patterns and he accompanied me on piano while I played sax.

Carl is the best piano teacher I have ever met.He knows a lot. He knows how to teach and he is very patient.

Our 1st lesson with Carl was great! My husband is looking forward to more!

I think we are pretty high maintenance and picky when it comes to music teachers. We come from a family full of musicians and know that it's hard to teach your own. Carl exceeded our expectations and has personalized his instruction toward our interests and my son's aptitude. We will be with him for a very long time.

Excellent teacher. My son (11y old) He enjoyed a lot, and he was so happy with his new teacher.

Carl is really great. I love that he is so patient with my girls, and also very encouraging. By far he's an awesome teacher.

This was my 6yr olds first musical lesson, I was extremely pleased with Carls approach. He was warm, patient and very easy to speak to. She was excited and is looking forward to her next lesson.

It's great having Carl W. As a teacher. Very interesting lesson session

Very good instruction for beginning player. Carl is focused on teaching proper embouchure and technique. Also provides/recommends good baseline music sheets to improve music reading fundamentals. The environment is very relaxed and my 7th grader enjoys his lessons.

Once I figured out the technicalities, everything went well. My son gave me a thumbs up when I asked how he liked it.

Good first lesson. Enjoyed the session and I'm excited to see how the lessons build.

My son had a great first lesson. Carl was patient and explained things on my sons level. Carl made the lesson fun and Dalton can't wait until next week.

First piano lesson and first online learning experience. Looking forward to next week!

Very helpful ... very good experience ..

Only one lesson so far but I really like Carl's approach. I wouldn't want a teacher who went "by the book" and just threw a bunch of lesson plans and exercises at me. Carl talked about what I like and what I want to play, listened to me some, and tailored the instruction to where I am at. This is a great place to start from.

We were nervous about taking lessons online, however the alternative (in-person) was twice the cost and required either travel or allowing a stranger in my house. My son had a great first experience with lessons online. He has a new outlook on playing the saxophone.

The best and he is very patient.

Carl does a great job teaching techniques that have definitely improved my piano playing. I'm learning faster than I expected. He has vast knowledge of the piano which helps in any genre.

Fabulous. My son loved his lessons with Carl. Highly recommend!!

Fabulous. My son loved his lessons with Carl. Highly recommend!!

Carl is a very good teacher. He's motivating and upbeat, also very patient. I'm really looking forward to learning a lot and having fun!

Amazing teacher, for an advanced learner, my son is getting the challenge he needs and he loves it!

First lesson went very well. Carl is knowledgeable and quickly identified my son's abilities and the areas he needs to work on. He's encouraging and positive while keeping my son focused. This is not usually an easy task, but Carl's natural style made it effortless. After the disappoint I've had with a previous piano teacher, I believe I've found someone my son can relate with and will want to work hard for. Isn't that ability to inspire students to work hard and do their best the pinnacle of what we all want out of teachers?

In the three months I've taken lessons, I've had a great experience with Carl and his methods. Every lesson is different and interesting. And when I bring a question to class Carl develops that into a lesson, which keeps the material even more interesting. I'm very happy with the results I'm seeing and would recommend Carl to any aspiring musician.

I'm a more "Senior" student who decided that learning the saxophone needed to be at the top of my "Bucket List". I recognize adult students can be particularly challenging because they're a bit more rigid in what they want. Carl is the perfect instructor for all ages. First he's extremely knowledgeable, making you confident he's leading you down the right path. He's has so much diversity in both instruments and styles that he's able to accommodate anyone. With this, he has been able to tailor lessons, mixing the basics with my desire to learn popular jazz tunes. He's picked up on the fact that I'm an engineer and have to understand everything I'm taught, so he's included music theory that makes the lessons, steps, and songs take on a more complete meaning (and improving retention). He's extremely patient and encouraging, as some of my lessons are after very long and tough work days; yet, he knows how to challenge you to ensure continued progress. It's coming up on a year that he's been my instructor and he’s made me so confident I'll stick with playing, that I upgraded to a professional instrument. Superb instructor.

I've been playing piano by ear since about 2 years old, so taking piano lessons was always a challenge for me because I'd often had teachers who I felt didn't understand how to balance my musical ability to play by ear with music theory. I started taking lessons from Carl about 2 years ago in hopes to develop my piano skills, and I am very excited with the progress I've been able to make in such a short period of time! Throughout my lessons, Carl has been nothing but patient and encouraging. He is very knowledgeable whenever I have questions. Carl also has helped me gain a better appreciation of musical theory. As a result of having lessons with him, I have been able to play piano at various Sunday morning worship services with confidence, something I was NEVER able to bring myself to do before! I highly recommend taking lessons from Carl. He's a great teacher with tons of experience and talent!
Photos & Videos
19 Photos & VideosExperience
Professional Musician
Jan 1995 - Presentself employed
Perform, record, and teach piano, saxophone, clarinet, and flute. I am also a songwriter and producer.
school teacher/band director
Aug 2002 - Jun 2013Dallas ISD
Education
Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies
Jun 1998 - May 2001University of North Texas
Bachelor of Music
Aug 1996 - Jun 1998Southwest Texas State University
Languages
English
Fluent / Native Proficiency
Certifications
All Level Music Teaching Certification
Jun 2003State Board of Certification
Affiliations
American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers
Jan 2006American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers
Jan 2002Let Our Student Counselors Help You
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