My Philosphies as a teacher:
Be self-reflective. I often begin lessons with questions like, "how is practice going? What are you working on? Any recent breakthroughs, challenges, successes, or failures?" If you've thought about these things, it can be very powerful for guiding our time together.
I will try to give you many options to understand or execute something. Not every technique or explanation will work for everyone, so I'll give you options to try. Whether it's something physical like range, articulation, or embourchure, or a concept like rhythms, improvisation, or theory, I usually have a few ways to explain something and hopefully one of them will click.
I will offer information as freely as possible, but it also helps if you ask questions. I've got a million stories and anecdotes that will apply to any number of situations or topics, but it also helps if you freely express your questions and interests. Lessons can go to really interesting places when we find good chemistry together.
Work on the stuff I ask you to work on. The first time we do an exercise, it may be slow and take a while to complete. But if you practice and learn it, we'll be able to do it much quicker the next time and we'll be able to move on to the next thing. If you don't learn it, we'll be stuck there for a while. If you don't think you *should* be working on a particularly exercise, we can talk about that, but I usually give you exercises and routines for a good reason.
I will guide you, but you have to do the work. If you just want me to guide you through a practice session, in the same way a personal trainer will work you out, I can do that. But if that's the only practice you do, things will move slowly. If you just want to hang out and talk about music, that's fine! They're your lessons and you can spend the time during and between however you like. Just remember that you get out of it what you put into it.
Private Lessons
I'm available for lessons on:
• trumpet & other brass instruments
• arranging & composition
• jazz & improvisation
• music theory
My musical interests are pretty broad so I'm happy to work with you on just about anything, even if you just want to talk about making YouTube videos.
Zoom lessons are ideal because there's no commute for either of us! And I’ve got a good camera and microphone setup so the experience is pretty natural. If you’re in the Greater Toronto Area, we may be able to meet in person for an additional travel surcharge.
To arrange a lesson, please follow this form...
Lesson Prices
$65USD / $90CAD per hour
Fees can be paid via PayPal or Interac e-transfer.
If you would like lessons, but are in a difficult financial situation, please send me a note. I would be willing to consider a sliding scale for a limited number of students.