CT Trumpet Lessons, Performing Artist, Badollet Ensemble

Just finished a 4 week run with 8-9 shows a week of In the Heights at Westport Country Playhouse.  This show was a blow, especially since I had to jump into the fray at the last minute with one rehearsal before the 1st show started.  This is what freelancing is all about and why it is more challenging and less stable than a full time teaching or orchestral job.  Freelancers are on the frontlines being challenged with every job they play, new people to perform at their best with for each job. This show was a great run with a stellar cast and top notch musicians.  I had not played the show before and being more a classical and commercial player than jazz this was a challenge.  Feet to the flames! In the Heights Westport Country Playhouse Video Promo Clip

Teaching Philosophy I believe that the trumpet holds a unique set of challenges. Teaching a student that deep inhalation is the most important setup for a good beginning coupled with a mastery of tongue position, aids in overcoming these challenges. The art of diligent work on  process,  integrated with a Zen philosophy of letting go empowers my students to optimize their abilities. My teaching is designed to teach students how the mechanics of air flow and tongue position work together. Once understood and practiced with set drills, I implement a psychological method of re-training subconscious cues that are counterintuitive to produce optimum ease of play. For example, the "sense of sight" will lead the player to assume low notes require blowing down with less air, thus creating instability and tightness in the back of the throat, when in reality it is quite the opposite. Blowing up lowers the middle of the tongue which places the tongue more appropriately, with rela

Having a blast performing in an amazing production of Man of La Mancha at the Westport Country Playhouse in Westport, CT.  To be in the hallowed halls where many of the greatest actors performed is quite the thrill. Pictures line the walls with the founders, Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward.  Their performance picture of Ancestral Voices with Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins, and Matthew Broderick. A who's who of generations of theatre performers. A night of Sondheim with Patti LuPone, Barbara Cook, and Kristin Chenoweth. This is a special production as the musicians are on both sides of the balcony as part of the show giving the audience the thrill of what we do up close.  Then there's the all star cast of great ethnic diversity. Lead- Philip Hernandez as Don Quixote who you may know from many TV series over the years. Philip Hernandez IMDB Philip's performance every rehearsal and every performance is amazing and moving. Gisela Adisa   http://iamgisela.com  as Aldonza i

Life in the pit I spend many, many hours in pits performing shows.  While what you see in the seats of a show is quite different and exciting, most musicians get barely a glimpse of what's happening on stage, if at all.  Here is a video of me in cramped quarters playing a demanding show, Newsies, which is a terrific show to play with temps that are not ideal.  You barely take the horn off your face, as you can see in the video, going from loud, rhythmic playing to soft delicate entrances.  The quality of the recording isn't great as it's from my phone, as you can see, but it gives you an idea of what goes on in a pit.  Enjoy!

We trumpet players, and brass players for that matter, spend so much time focusing on perfecting our brass playing and listening, that we sometimes forget how sublime music unrelated to brass can be.  This is not a criticism, but a reminder.  Find your music passion outside the box! I will share my personal passion for Chopin, Jacqueline du Pre, and Beethoven Piano Sonatas.  Every musician, especially brass players, should be intimate with Chopin and Beethoven piano works.  Why????  Have you ever tried to find and play the melody line of a Chopin or Beethoven piano work?  You will learn so much about expression within a ever moving tempo.  It's friggin hard!!  We learn to be playful with rhythm and expression through Charlier Etudes, my favorite for teaching this ability in trumpet lessons.  But, to go further outside the box, begin by listening to Chopin Ballades and Beethoven Piano Sonatas, a lot.  Chopin devoted his entire short life to writing only for the piano.  He knew his

Do you have an upcoming audition for college entrance, regional, state or other auditions? I can help you improve your audition. One of the best things you can do as a musician is to play for others.  Add playing for professionals who have tons of experience with auditions, and knowledge of what it takes to succeed and perform at your finest, and you have a recipe for success! I have auditioned for every major orchestra in the US (and some abroad as well) and have advanced to finals.  Plus, I have coached students and listened to colleagues countless times.   I also have a unique approach to playing.  The combination of my extensive experience and unique approach allows me to, first, determine whether you have an issue, or whether your issue is just "in your head;" second, to "see" an issue (if you have one) that you are unable to solve by yourself because it is invisible to you; and finally, to provide you with steps that will concretely solve the issue. If

I currently have openings on Saturday!  If you are in the area and can make it to New Haven (Morris Cove) you have an opportunity to study with a teacher who can set you on the path of not only becoming a better player, but one that understands how and why things go wrong and how to fix them, I have space for you!