Trombone Lessons in Plano. Amazing Teachers.

I enjoy nurturing musical creativity in my
students.

It is Rapturous for me when a student realizes
their own musicality by going past just
playing the notes on the page, to actively
expressing the Message (which could be a
Thought, Emotion, or a Scene) that is
inherent in the piece.

In a Low Brass lesson, I have the student play:
-A quick and effective warm-up with me.
-A quick review of their assigned
technical exercises.
-Their assigned Etude or Chart or Solo.
-A Duet with Me.

Technical aspects of Performance:
1. A mastery of ability to Sight Sing.
2. Clean Articulation.
3. A wide (and well-sounding) Range.
4. Moving between partials is Flexible.
5. A beautiful Tone.

I wish for my students to become more than
just good instrumentalists, I want for them
to always have fun with music. When a
student realizes that music can ultimately be
Emotional and Creative Outlet for them,
they will be Musicians for life!

I have been gigging, both classically and in jazz, in the greater DFW Metroplex for about 9 years. I attended high school close by, and I am the only two-time 6A All-State tenor trombonist in my city's history. I have completed two years at the University of North Texas, and have been teaching for approximately two years. I consistently double between tenor & bass trombone, having a great deal of experience in both instruments, in both classical and jazz settings. Outside of trombone, I also play trumpet/cornet, tuba, vocals, guitar, bass, and piano. I am an avid rock/metal listener, and compose my own music, mainly fusing metal and jazz. Because of this, I feel this makes me an extremely diverse instrumentalist. I have studied with such influential figures as Tony Baker (UNT, Dallas Opera Orchestra), Steve Menard (UNT, Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra), Dennis Bubert (UT Arlington, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra), and more.

I have been playing trombone, and more specifically, bass trombone, for over 20 years. I have studied trombone at New Mexico State University with Dr. Allan Kaplan, and at CalArts with James Miller of the LA Philharmonic. I have played, performed and recorded professionally with choirs, theater productions, jazz bands, marching and concert bands, symphony orchestras, small ensembles, and brass bands all over the world.

I work to make my lessons enjoyable AND engaging. I will spend time with you on fundamentals such as key and scale studies, tuning, functional harmony, breathing studies, arpeggios, mouthpiece studies, rhythm and counting exercises all the way into more difficult materials such as extending your range, melodic and improvisation skills, single- and double-valve studies, and even into extended techniques, such as multiphonics, split tones, circular breathing, quarter tonal methods and more.

I am a professional full time Trombonist. At the same time, teaching has always been a big part of who I am - I love teaching. My music career has taken me around the world and back but more than that it has given me a wonderful tool of self expression, and for that I am forever grateful. My band performs regularly in Opera houses as well as coffee houses... Other than the Trombone I do play the Trumpet as well, and I have over 8 years of Piano under my belt.

My teaching methodology focuses on the five major areas of trombone pedagogy in which a trombonists should develop strong foundations in order to become an exceptional player. These areas are 1) Breathing and Air Support, 2) Embouchure Control and Flexibilty, 3) Slide Precision and Timing, 4) Articulation and Phrasing, and 5) Intonation

Learn from a pro in a friendly, focused environment. Jazz, classical, blues, latin, salsa, funk or get ready for band and auditions. All great musicians have great ears and great time feel (groove). That along with a study of the fundamentals of trombone technique will get us started. Then we'll add the kind of songs that you like to play, and other great trombone literature.