Composition with Jeffrey O.

I currently teach over 30 students ages 4-75 piano, flute, saxophone, clarinet, recorder, and singing. This is my full time job, this is not a side hobby to make extra cash. I am a professional teacher with a big schedule and flexibility. I do not travel, students come to my home. TEACHING EXPERIENCE: I have taught general music K-8 in a charter school and basically had to build a music program with no funding and almost no supplies. I left this job in favor of teaching privately because the staff and administration were horribly disrespectful and unappreciative of what I did for their school. Teaching privately allows me to teach music passionately without limits (and without administration who know nothing about music telling me what to do!). I can also focus on one student at a time, rather than try to manage an entire class. I have taught private lessons for about 13 years. These have mostly been clarinet lessons because that is my primary instrument, but in the last three years, I've expanded what I can teach. At one time, I was teaching several high school students music composition, music theory, and ear training to prepare for college entrance as music composition majors. One of them did get into the Juilliard school and was actually placed in advanced classes because of the theory and ear training work I did with him. I've also taught one of my flute students for years, starting her at an early age first on recorder, switching to fife, and then on to flute. I currently teach several students from 4 yrs old-adult various levels flute, clarinet, and piano. I have been a music theory/ear training TA at ASU for four years. I can definitely prepare anyone for college level music academics. Most high school band programs do not prepare students for the academic side of music study in college. LESSONS I TEACH: Clarinet: All ages (starting 4th/5th grade) and levels Flute: All ages (starting 3rd/4th grade with fife), beginner to high school level Piano: All ages (starting at age 4-5) and levels Recorder: All ages (starting 2nd grade) and levels Trumpet: All ages (starting 5th grade) beginning only French Horn: All ages (starting 5th grade) beginning only Music Theory/Ear Training: recommended for HS students looking for intensive music study in college Music Composition: recommended for HS students or adults who want to write music, or pursue music composition in college WHY I TEACH MUSIC: I love music, and I enjoy passing my passion and knowledge on to others. Watching a student, grow, explore, and enjoy music is a great reward. Music gave me a voice to express myself, and a creative outlet, and I want others to have the same opportunity. I also enjoy the social interaction with students. WHY YOU SHOULD TAKE LESSONS: I have a lot to offer students (check out my specialties). A school music teacher or band director doesn't have the time to give one-on-one attention. Nor do they have the chance to go deeper into music with students. I will help you find music that you like at your level, and I will also teach you how to practice and correct bad habits. MY STUDIO: I teach in the music room of my house, which is clean and cozy. If you are a parent, my couch in the living room is a comfortable place to wait during the lesson, or you may sit outside on the porch (weather permitting). I live in a quiet suburban neighborhood in Tempe. LESSON DETAILS: I am a firm believer in the humanistic approach to learning. I want to teach you what you want to learn, the way you learn best, doing activities that keep you engaged and add growth as a musician. Come to me with your questions, curiosities, and requests for what you want to learn ("How do I play two notes at the same time on the clarinet?" "What is this key for?" "I really want to play Sleigh Ride"). Please bring in any musical goals you may have for yourself. I incorporate meaningful scales and exercises that apply to the music that you are working on (they are not chosen at random). Conducting, ear training, music theory, and music composition are all incorporated into lessons over time (depending on the student's interest). I am aware of the state standards (they are my instinct anyway), but I ultimately analyze your interests and abilities and follow your lead, acting as your guide along the way. My teaching and activities are age appropriate. If you are interested in music composition lessons, I give advice on your work, give ideas to continue your music, educate you on instrument capabilities, help with orchestration, open your ears to music by others, teach theory/counterpoint/form, give you advice on how to get your music performed, help you use Sibelius software, and help prepare a college portfolio if you are pursuing music composition in college. STUDIO EQUIPMENT: ~3 pianos (new grand, upright, and digital keyboard) ~2 different toy pianos (Schoenhut and J. Chein) ~iMac computer with Sibelius 6 (for writing music) ~Music for Little Mozarts starter pack with the cute puppets and music board (for young beginners on piano) ~Music stand, clarinet stand ~SPECIALTIES~ TEACHING TO CHILDREN AT YOUNG AGES: If your child is showing interest in music at an early age, I can start as early as age 4 on piano. I use the "Music for Little Mozarts" series that come with cute little puppets, and the storybook lesson style is perfect. I also have 2 nice toy pianos that can be incorporated into the lesson. If your child wants to play a wind instrument at an early age, I start them on recorder at about age 7. I can then switch them over to fife (a smaller simpler flute) in a year or so, and then to flute -or- they can go from recorder to clarinet at about 4th or 5th grade. INCORPORATING CONDUCTING TECHNIQUES: If taking lessons on a wind instrument, I teach conducting patterns and techniques so the student learns how to follow a conductor and what it means to lead musicians visually without speaking. Musicians rely a fair amount on body language to communicate while playing together. I've also found that incorporating conducting makes lessons fun, and it improves the student's sense of rhythm and control. INCORPORATING MUSIC THEORY/EAR TRAINING: Music is more than just breathing and moving fingers up and down. Great musicians understand music and have good listening skills. Knowing how music works (music theory) actually helps students recognize patterns and learn music faster (or spend less time practicing). Ear training helps with intonation and playing music with others (you'll sound better and notice more detail in music!). I do activities that are age and ability appropriate; most young students love listening games with their instrument. INCORPORATING MUSIC COMPOSITION: For variety, I teach students how to use Sibelius (using my computer) to write music for their instrument. This encourages creativity, an awareness of how music works, and helps them learn technology. Plus, they get the pleasure of writing their own music and playing it! I print the music, and it looks like real published music! SHEET MUSIC: I love thrift shopping, and I collect lots of music for my students. Music can be expensive, so I try to save you the time and money if possible. I only get used music in good condition.