CT Trumpet Lessons, Performing Artist, Badollet Ensemble

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  ...

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 lif...

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!

I have finally decided to work for myself exclusively at my home studio!  I will be accepting private students for hour lessons only.  Beginners will be on an evaluation level only as I want to focus on more advanced/driven students who want to take their playing to the highest level.  This doesn't mean you have to want to be a professional musician, just that you want to practice, take getting better seriously. I have the rare ability to communicate real concrete concepts that not only make your playing better, but empower you with the ability to know when things go wrong and how to correct them. Try a few lessons and see what you think. If you are a parent and don't know where to go to help your daughter or son find the right teacher, read my blog here.  Look at my teaching philosophy, my performance experience and testimonials. From the president of one of the best band programs in Massachusetts: "He is one of the most gifted communicators and teachers I hav...

http://longwharf.org/beautiful-room Very excited to be performing this premier of a new musical by New Yorker writer and author Adam Kopnik, that's sure to hit broadway in the near future! Worked daily preparing this show with two of the most important music creators in the business: Jonathan Tunick , orchestrator (Sondheim would use no other), and composer David Shire ! I even get billing on the website!  Running the Month of May!