Hi, I'm Shawn! I grew up in Tennessee, and am currently in Houston, TX studying French Horn Performance at Rice University. Thanks to modern technology, I'm available for online lessons wherever you live. I've been studying horn for over a decade, and have performed with internationally renowned ensembles. I regularly teach beginner students, high-schoolers, adult learners, and coach audition success using performance psychology and effective preparation techniques. Above all, I want my students to enjoy the process and love the music. I look forward to teaching you! -- Professional Bio: Shawn Z. is a professional horn player and student at Rice University, where he studies with world-renowned pedagogue and Principal Horn of the Houston Symphony, William VerMeulen. Previously, he was a Myra Jackson Blair Honor Scholar at Vanderbilt University’s Blair Academy, where he studied with Leslie Norton, Principal Horn of the Nashville Symphony. While attending the Interlochen Arts Academy, he studied with Corbin Wagner, former hornist in the Detroit Symphony. Shawn has performed with the Houston Symphony, and he made his concerto debut appearing with the “President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band as the winner of its solo competition. In 2017, he performed at Lincoln Center as a member of the Interlochen Arts Academy’s New York Philharmonic Residency. He has collaborated with eminent conductors including Marin Alsop, Ruth Reinhardt, James Ross, Giancarlo Guerrero, Bramwell Tovey, Ken-David Masur, and Sir Antonio Pappano. He is a National YoungArts Foundation winner, prizewinner of the Nashville Symphony Concerto Competition, Curb Youth Symphony Competition, and the Southeast Horn Workshop Solo Competition. He has been a Fellow at the National Orchestral Institute and Sarasota Music Festival, and has performed multiple times with the National Youth Orchestra in Carnegie Hall and on international tour. He has also spent three summers studying with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra as a student at the Tanglewood Institute. He is a regular collaborator performer with the Just for U Music Program (JUMP!), the Shepherd School of Music's musical outreach program that curates and performs educational programs for underserved middle-schoolers in Houston. As the founder of the Hanszen Family Chamber Music Festival at Rice University, he received a grant from the Sviatoslav Richter Fund for Music Outreach to help bring high quality chamber music directly to the student population.
Teaches all skill levels
Teaching since 2016
Bachelor of Music in Horn Performance
Teaches ages 5+
Has background check
As a retired beginner (coming back to the horn after many decades), I was initially a bit anxious about taking lessons from Shawn, as I worried his typical students were not at my particular stage of development, but this worry was immediately put to rest. Looking on the roster of horn teachers, most seem to either not play horn at a high level (teaching twenty+ other subjects), or don’t take the effort to present themselves and their teaching, so I was drawn to Shawn’s profile. I am always given undivided attention for our weekly lessons. He understands my goals and is patient while I un-rust old chops. I find there to be a satisfactory balance of musical and technical instruction that helps me enjoy the process. I highly recommend Shawn as a horn teacher.
Lessons have been very effective and focused. Shawn offered many insightful, intuitive tips on technical fundamentals and musical expression, and how to make the learning process more efficient and enjoyable.
I had a couple lessons with Shawn in order to prep for college auditions, and not only were his musical tips and technical solutions effective, but he's also knowledgable about different college horn programs. If you're a pre-college hornist looking for insider tips on continuing your education at a higher level, I highly recommend Shawn!