Houston, TX Trombone Lessons

urriculum based on students needs, wants and aspirations. We will focus on proper technique, theory, musicianship and sightreading to become a better all around musician. After a few months of lessons, you will have the proper fundamentals to grow as a musician and discover the art of music.

*** Studio Equipment ***
All necessities on site.

*** Specialties ***
I am well versed in many styles, I have played professionally and teach, ALL forms of Rock, Jazz, Blues, World (ethnic musics), Pop, Acoustic, Folk, and most other styles.

ist Jazz Festival, directing Jazz Ensembles I-II, Jazz Combo, Jazz Improvisation lessons, Jazz Pedagogy, online Jazz Appreciation, private saxophone lessons, saxophone quartets, private oboe lessons, and group guitar class.

Spaeth completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in saxophone performance at the University of Kansas in 2014, and his Master of Music Pedagogy and Performance from Oklahoma State University in 2011. He graduated from Harrah High School in 2002, earned his Bachelor of Music Education from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 2008, and was a 5th-12th grade Head Band Director at Fairview Public schools. He is currently a member of the North American Saxophone Alliance, the Jazz Education Network, Music Teachers National Association, National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors, and an Honorary Member of Tau Beta Sigma. He has held previous memberships with Kappa Kappa Psi, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Kappa Delta Pi, and the Oklahoma Bandmasters Association.

While at KU, Spaeth was also a graduate teaching assistant for the saxophone studio and jazz studies program. His responsibilities included Assistant Director of the KU Jazz Festival, directing Jazz Ensembles II-III, directing Jazz Combo III-VI, directing Saxophone Quartets II-III, teaching private saxophone lessons, assisting in saxophone studio class, and teaching the music education woodwind methods course. His Lecture Recital Document, A Performer’s Analysis of Selected Jazz Works for Saxophone Quartet, featured an interview with Bob Mintzer. Spaeth was a member of KU Jazz Ensemble I, KU Saxophone Quartet I, and KU's Helianthus New Music Ensemble. As a member of KU's Jazz Ensemble 1, Spaeth has performed with Dave Douglas, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Alex Sipiagin, Steve Owen, Gary Foster, Steve Houghton, Clint Ashlock, David von Kampen, Peter Epstein, Jeff Miley, James Miley, Roger Shew, and Brian Hamada, Brandon Draper, Rich Wheeler, Beau Bledsoe, Jeff Harshbarger, and Matt Otto. In July 2014, Spaeth went on a European tour with KU Jazz Ensemble I featuring Steve Leisring and Deborah Brown. Together, they performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, the Vienne Jazz Festival in France, and performed in several cities in Germany. Recordings by this band resulted in KU winning the DownBeat Student Award (Graduate College Large Jazz Ensemble Division) in 2015.

While at OSU, Spaeth was a GTA for the saxophone studio and music theory programs. His responsibilities included Music Theory I-IV tutoring and grading, sight-singing grading, piano labs, classical and jazz saxophone lessons, saxophone quartet coaching, saxophone studio Webmaster, and saxophone studio class. Spaeth was a member of the OSU Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble 1. He had a regularly performing jazz trio and played in OSU's X2End saxophone quartet. The X2End quartet performed locally at the 2011 Navy Band Saxophone Symposium in Washington D.C., at the 2011 NASA Region IV Conference, and has won the state and division rounds of the 2010-2011 MTNA Chamber Music Competition. The X2End quartet went on to win the 3rd place prize at the national final round of the MTNA Chamber Music Competition. They also were the Division II Chamber Ensemble winners at the 2011 Hubbard Music Competition where they were awarded the 2nd place prize in the overall finals. Spaeth's final degree paper at OSU was a study of composer/performer collaboration. He traveled to Texas, Michigan, and Ohio to interview saxophonists and composers including David Dees, Peter Fischer, John Sampen, Marilyn Shrude, Joe Lulloff, and Charles Ruggiero. He has presented his lecture at the 2011 Navy Band Saxophone Symposium, the 2011 NASA Region IV Conference, and the 2012 OSU Single Reed Summit. As a member of OSU's Jazz Ensemble 1, he has performed with Bob Sheppard, Conrad Herwig, Wayne Bergeron, and Andy Martin.

While at SWOSU, Spaeth performed as a member of the marching band, wind ensemble, Jazz Ensemble A, saxophone quartet, and his own jazz combo named Five-Seven. As a member of SWOSU's Jazz Ensemble A, he has performed with Dan Haerle, Bob Bowman, Jack Mouse, Fred Forney, Janice Borla, Eddie Daniels, Pamela York, Lynn Seaton, Carl Allen, Dr. Michael Cox, Tom Williams, Dr. Robert Chambers, Dave Hanson, Drori Mondlak, Delores Williams, Byron Stripling, Frank Wess, Kenny Drew Jr., Dennis Mackrel, Bill Watrous, Rich Eames, Jennifer Leitham, and Randy Drake.

Spaeth's primary saxophone instructors have been Vince Gnojek, Dr. Jeffrey Loeffert, Dr. Ann Bradfield, Dr. Keith Talley, and William Rodney Hull. He has had additional instruction in lessons and masterclasses from Gary Foster, Dr. Joseph Murphy, Dr. Michael Cox, Bob Sheppard, Johnny Salinas, Dr. Kimberly Goddard Loeffert, Dr. Geoffrey Deibel, Dr. Jonathan Nichol, Dr. Griffin Campbell, Dr. James Laughlin, and Dr. David Dees. Spaeth's jazz directors have included Dan Gailey, Bob McCurdy, Dr. Jonathan Martin, Dr. Keith Talley, and Dr. Terry Segress.

​Spaeth enjoys recording several instruments in his home studio and composing new music. His compositions that have been performed include his big band arrangement of Cat Battles by Joshua Redman, September in the Refrain (alto saxophone and electronics), Funk-o-matic (jazz combo), Smooth (jazz combo), and The Deadline Arrives at Dawn (alto saxophone and electronics). As an advocate of new music involving the saxophone, he has participated in a commissioning consortium for Alone Together by composer David MacDonald through Kick Starter. In 2013, Spaeth performed the premier of Cuento #3 by Nelson Ramirez Diaz. During summer of 2014, he recorded selections from Dr. John Walker's "The Alto Saxophone in the Attic," published by Carl Fischer. At the 10th Annual SDSU/Brookings Optimist Jazz Festival in 2015, Spaeth directed SDSU Jazz Ensemble I's premier of Dog, Tired by David von Kampen.

​Dr. Spaeth is a Conn-Selmer Endorsing Artist. He hosted the North American Saxophone Alliance Region 3 (ND, SD, NE, MN, IA) Conference at South Dakota State University on March 17-18, 2017. On Saturday, April 8, 2017, Spaeth performed Dreams in the Dusk by David Biedenbender with South Dakota State University's Wind Symphony, directed by Dr. Jacob Wallace. On Monday, February 6, 2017, Spaeth performed the premiere of Lhotse for alto saxophone and percussion by Steve Danyew with Dr. Aaron Ragsdale. In April 2017, Spaeth performed solo tenor saxophone and orchestral clarinet in Ethan Bortnick's national PBS Special called "Generations of Music," which featured special guest, Peter Yarrow, from Peter, Paul and Mary.

udy in college.
*RANDOM: I love to read, sing, and listen to music, I love cats, chocolate, and my family/friends. Pink is my favorite color, and Hanson is my favorite band!
*My most recent new student, after his second lesson, asked if he could take piano more than once a week because “it’s so fun!” 😊

***Philosophy***
—If you're going to make a mistake, make a loud one!

-My students know (I make sure of this) right off the bat that it's okay to make mistakes! My philosophy is: YOU make mistakes. Mistakes don't make YOU. We fix them together, and we learn together. Also: never apologize for making a mistake; that is why we’re working together and you’re practicing at home!

***Teaching Style***
-I'm definitely a fun-loving, outgoing person.
-My teaching style is tailored to each of my students;
-I try to think-outside-the-box as much as possible and utilize creativity.
-I talk as little as possible in lessons; my goal is for the student to play as much as possible. With beginners, I may have to talk a bit more.
-I often model for the student what they should do: example: middle c position on the piano.
-If seeing ME isn’t enough for my visual learners, I will utilize a video clip.
-For my tactile learners, sometimes I have to move their fingers into position myself.
-For my sound learners, I will play or sing a pitch, show them the slide position or fingering to that note, and have them try to match it by ear.
-I also question my students.
-I have many other techniques as well.
-I am VERY much pro Positive Reinforcement!

*** Lesson Details ***
-I am NOT a rigid teacher; I am pretty relaxed.
-Although I am relaxed, I AM very adamant about practicing between lessons - no matter what type of instrument you/your child may be learning. It is the only way to improve. :)
-We will ALWAYS begin with a warm-up, we may/may not move into rhythm exercises, possible ear training, music theory, and the music.
-The list of all that I teach is on my page, but I teach all wind instruments (woodwind/brass), piano, and voice. I also teach acting techniques and improvisation skills.
-I am VERY flexible where scheduling is concerned.

***Student Responsibilities:***
-Daily practice is strongly recommended. It is important and necessary for steady progress.
-For piano lessons, students should have neat, clean, trimmed nails at every lesson.
-Students should bring water to voice lessons.
-Reed players should ensure they have working/non-cracked reeds.
-Brass players should ensure all valves/slides are oiled/greased.
-Students must be prepared for each lesson.
-Always have a pencil (not a pen).

***Parents’ Responsibilities:***
-Parents should remain until their child’s lesson is complete.
-Parents should regularly check and support the student’s practice routine.

*** Studio Equipment ***
-One Yamaha keyboard w/pedal; space for parents to sit and observe lessons.
-Music stand
-Square chairs to sit on

IMPORTANT NOTE: My home, where my studio is located, is inhabited by four very sweet cats. Keep this in mind when you plan to sign up for lessons. :)

I so look forward to hearing from you!!

oul, R&B, reggae, latin, rock, pop, metal, etc.

Another major focus in lessons is helping each student develop their own "voice" in their playing. This is the most rewarding part of being a musician, as learning how to develop your playing to channel your own mental, physical and emotional feelings and ideas leads to great self discovery, self confidence and awareness. It is also a great stress reliever and can be very therapeutic!

Lessons with Jonathan are highly engaging and educational, but they are also fun! Jonathan creates a lesson plan unique to each student's needs and skills to ensure maximum results and progression inside of a comfortable and fun atmosphere! All the educational material means nothing if you aren't finding the enjoyment and fun in the lesson to actually practice and learn the material outside of it! Jonathan approaches lessons with a professional and laid-back demeanor looking to keep a smile and interest on the student's face from the beginning of the lesson to the end!

Studio Gear:
TC Electronic BG250 12' Combo Amp
Fender USA Modified Jazz Bass
(Above 2 items are also used for travel lessons)

Acoustic 15' Combo Bass Amp
Ernie Ball Sterling 5 string Bass

Korg Krome 61 Keyboard
Behringer 12' speaker

through our marching and concert band program. I also ran after school lessons in which many students made our region honor band.

June 2015 - Present
I am currently the head director at Trinity Junior High in Fort Smith. I run a 7-9 band program that includes both marching and concert band seasons. Our student involvement is quite high as our band program serves about 50% of our total student population.

--Ear Training (any instrument, beginning to advanced)

--Arranging/Composition (any instrument, beginning to advanced

--Songwriting (any instrument, beginning to advanced)

--Piano lessons (beginning to intermediate)

*Since I charge the same rate for each of these subjects, many of my students request to split the lesson time into 2 or more subjects

If you have any questions about my specific lesson plans for a particular subject, please don't be afraid to shoot me an email!

Happy practicin'!

beginners. Once the student has demonstrated a strong understanding of the fundamentals of brass playing, I will begin introducing them to different solos, scales, and other repertoire in the hopes that they may want to perform in competition or recital.

For more advanced players, I try to find out what the student's specific goals are, and work with them to best achieve said goals. I have a plethora of etudes, solos, and other material to keep them interested in building up their abilities. Few things are as rewarding for me than being able to witness one of my students thrive in the performing arts! Therefore, it is important that my students have as much fun as possible and can feel accomplished achieving firm, yet reachable, personal goals. Acknowledging accomplishments helps students feel valued and like their efforts are worth something - fostering a readiness to learn more. I want to do whatever I can to help my students achieve greatness - however they may see fit. By trying to find out what inspires my students, I can successfully engineer my instruction to their wants and needs.