Wylie, TX Clarinet Lessons

The student should have his/her own instrument, so they can practice regularly.

*** Specialties ***
Gospel, Classical, Pop, Inspirational, Sacred, Wedding, etcetera

et any books that we play through (but I'll give you time to get them, so don't worry.) Any books that we use will be easy to find and won't cost a whole lot of money.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I will always bring my instrument with me when I attend a lesson, so I expect my students to do the same when they come to my studio. Also, make sure you have any books and music that we will be playing out of. I always have a copy of anything that we are playing, so I expect the student to have a copy as well.

*** Specialties ***
Trumpet
Clarinet
Alto Saxophone
Piano

nterest the student.

Guitar: I've found that guitar method books are nearly as diverse as the guitarists that play them! That being said, I typically start with the Essential Elements for guitar for a solid introduction to music reading and a touch of theory.

Depending on the style of play the guitarist is interested in I move on from there. Mel Bays Classical method is always a solid choice as is the Christopher Parkening Guitar method. I also have a few tab oriented books and some rock/blues oriented books.

For clarinet and oboe students I like to compliment what their band/orchestra director is using when possible. I also love the Klose method for clarinet. The Rubank is also a tried and true book I use. I've had a lot of success with these books.

Of course the best method books are for naught without adequate practice time! When theory and technique work get too dry it's always fun to throw in some fun selections to compliment the "work."

Voice students are a bit different in that I don't use a specific method to instruct. I have many books that I draw from when teaching voice due to the unique nature of the individual. Depending on the style of music, from classical to jazz/pop, I have music that will teach proper breath support, vowel placement and tone.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Home studio: converted dining room with 3 guitars, young percussion instruments, upright piano and f/w keyboard. Seating available for parents.
Music ministry at First Christian Church in Terrell. Access to choir room with upright piano. Seating available for parents.

*** Specialties ***
Degree in all-level music education with specialty in voice.

and New Jersey and has taught at the secondary level in both states. In addition to both instrumental and choral ensembles at Penn State, Thomas was a student leader in the Penn State Blue Band and a member of the brass section of the Cadets of Bergen County Drum and Bugle Corps in 1993 and 1994. He served as an Associate Director of the Warren Junior Military Band of Youngstown, Ohio from 1995 to 2005. He also served as a visual staff member for the renowned North Penn Marching Knights of Lansdale, PA for one season in 2004.

He is a current adjudicator with Drum Corps International and Cavalcade of Bands. He is a member of MENC, PMEA, NJMEA, ASCAP, CASA, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and the National Band Association. He appeared in the Marquis Who's Who Among American Educators in 2004 and 2005, an honor rarely bestowed upon teachers, as students who appear in the Who's Who Among American High School Students must nominate them. He currently is a music teacher at the Center for Performing and Fine Arts of the PA Leadership Charter School in West Chester, PA and resides in Downingtown, PA with his wife and two sons.

Thomas will happily work with students on the autism spectrum or students with ADD.

*** Lesson Details ***
My lessons are tailored to the needs and interests of each student. If a student is involved in school music ensembles, we will work with their lesson books from school in addition to material outside of the books, including SmartMusic, Noteflight, and teacher-created materials. We will focus on building proper tone production and individual technique - something that often is difficult to learn in a large ensemble setting.

I am capable of starting a beginner student on any band instrument including percussion, any classical string instrument (violin, viola, cello, string bass), and piano. I can begin a student on drum set and work with them through their first method book, but I would then recommend they find a specialized drum set teacher after a period of six to twelve months.

For advanced students, I work from selected conservatory etude books on developing advanced skills and can work with students on audition pieces for honors bands/orchestras or college auditions.

My lessons are a half-hour once a week, with the option of working for 45 minutes or 60 minutes.

*** Specialties ***
music, band, orchestra, flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, violin, viola, cello, string bass, piano, Percussion
classical, jazz improvisation

thrive on structure and goals, and I have developed a unique approach to practicing that gets results. I teach all ages and skill levels to play saxophone, clarinet, and flute. I cover many styles, from concert band, to jazz, blues, soul, and R&B, theory, tone, articulation, and more. I am experienced with preschoolers to middle school-age children, high school and college ages, nervous adult beginners, and special needs students.

I recommend the following lesson structure:
• First-time beginners: one 30-minute lesson per week
• Older beginners to intermediate students: one 45 minute lesson per week
• Advanced students: 60 minutes once each week

My approach to lessons is to support a competition-free environment where every level of player can feel comfortable, have fun, and make fast and steady progress. Students are also encouraged to participate in all-ages jam sessions, and at our recitals.

I work from my home studio on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Centrally located in La Mesa, my studio is just a few minutes east of Qualcomm Stadium. Plenty of free parking, and parents are encouraged to sit in during lessons.

On Thursdays, I'm in my La Jolla studio on Girard at La Jolla Music.

My own teaching experience includes private post-secondary, SDSU’s College of Extended Studies, and I’ve facilitated and run woodwind master classes at Grossmont and Valhalla High Schools.

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.

ng time spent on faculty at Mount Holyoke College and the Eaglebrook School. I also have experience working as a guest clinician at schools and festivals around Colorado including the Top of the Nation Honor Band, hosted at Adams State University.

As a performer, I am active around Colorado. I am currently a member of the Lone Tree Symphony, but have also performed with the Colorado Wind Ensemble, Denver Pops Orchestra, Lakewood Symphony Orchestra, San Juan Symphony, Steamboat Springs Symphony. Additionally, I occasionally flex my doubling skills and have performed in musical theater productions in Evergreen, Colorado as well as Easthampton, Massachusetts.

My personal passion is classical music but I firmly believe that great technique is essential to any and every style and it can be achieved through many different styles of music. I look forward to meeting you and helping you to become a better musician!