Teaching
"Education must teach, reach, and vibrate the whole person rather than merely transfer knowledge."
- Stephen Nachmanovitch
My approach to teaching is holistic, meeting every musician where they are to build a foundation of clarity, efficiency, and artistic agency. By prioritizing technical precision and stylistic competency, I help students navigate any musical environment with confidence. Together, we focus on the transferable skills that support long-term growth and professional versatility well beyond the next performance.
Teaching Philosophy
I believe effective teaching provides musicians with a repeatable process for independent growth. My approach is centered on several core pillars:
Vocal-Based Tonality: I treat the saxophone as an extension of the voice. By connecting sound production to natural vocal resonance, we strip away artificial tension to develop a tone that is fluid, resonant, and personal.
Contextual Technique: We don’t practice scales in a vacuum. Technical development is always tied to real-world situational examples and tied directly to the repertoire to ensure that "work" in the practice room translates immediately to "art" on the stage.
Stylistic Literacy: Through an expansive repertoire, spanning contemporary commissions to historical standards, students learn to identify and execute the specific nuances of different genres. We treat style as a set of dialects, ensuring you are competent and hireable in any musical environment.
Active Engagement: Independence is built by "doing the thing." I encourage students to move beyond the classroom: through performances, collaborations, and community projects and applying the concepts we discuss in the studio to the actual landscape of a professional career.
Lesson Formats
I offer a variety of ways to work together, tailored to individual and group needs:
Private Lessons: Available in-person or virtually, depending on location and scheduling.
Ensemble Coaching: Intensive sessions for chamber music and saxophone sections.
Residencies & Masterclasses: Guest teaching and clinics for universities and institutions.
Who I Work With
I typically partner with dedicated musicians at various stages of their development:
University & Pre-professional Saxophonists navigating the transition to a professional career.
Advanced High School Students preparing for collegiate auditions and competitive study.
Adult Musicians seeking focused, high-level instruction and artistic refinement.
Chamber Ensembles & Saxophone Studios looking for specialized coaching or guest masterclasses.
Masterclasses & Residencies
I offer adaptable residencies for universities and secondary programs, focusing on the intersection of high-level mechanics and professional versatility.
Featured Formats:
Lectures & Presentations: Specialized sessions on the "how" of music-making, including performance athletics (optimizing training/recovery) and career development.
Technique Intensives: A deep dive into the physical mechanics of the saxophone, focusing on vocal-based tonality, ergonomic efficiency, and situational practice habits.
Performance Masterclasses: Working with soloists or ensembles on interpretation, stylistic "dialects," and the communication required for professional-level performance.
Chamber Music Coaching: Refining group cohesion and leadership, drawing on my experience with the Eastman Saxophone Project and Project Nova.
Availability
Availability for private lessons and coachings is limited. If you are interested in working together, please reach out to discuss your goals, fit, and logistics.