Skip to main content

Trumpet Teaching Studio in the Boston Area

I created this blog to advertise my availability as a trumpet instructor.

Accepting students of all ages in the greater Boston area.

I have a Graduate Diploma in Trumpet Performance with Distinction from the New England Conservatory of Music, Tanglewood Fellowship, Doctorate and Masters work in Performance and Pedagogy, and a Bachelors of Music Education. I have performed with many top orchestras around the country including the Boston, Baltimore, and Key West symphonies; the Bohsoi and Royal Ballet Orchestras; as well as many regional orchestras in the Boston area.

I teach the concepts of process orientation, keeping the mind off of product focus which is reactionary. Keeping the mind focused on the process of sound production with specific steps allows the mind to stay in the present tense and out of the judgement process.

My studio is avaiable for all levels, but also welcomes students who are preparing for competitions and auditions (college entrance, district and state level competitions, etc...) for short term lessons and coaching. I am also available for brass quintet/ensemble coaching and conducting. I studied wind ensemble conducting with Frank Battisti at the New England Conservatory of Music.

I look forward to assisting you with your musical advancement.

My former teachers are Charles Schlueter, Timothy Morrison, Vincent Penzerelli, Leon Rapier, and James Bursen.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

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!

In the Heights

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 relaxation, than just us...