INSTRUMENTS TAUGHT ​ Professional Level - Bass Trombone, Trombone, Tuba (BBb & CC), Baritone & Euphonium ​ Advanced - Trumpet Intermediate - Electric Bass & Percussion ​ Beginner - Woodwinds (Alto Sax, Clarinet, Piccolo) I teach Classical & Jazz, plus Audio Recording as part of the practice routine.  I also teach Physical Therapy for Musicians. ​ Any Instrument: Jazz Focus (You must be proficiently skilled on your instrument first, though.)
2 LOCATIONS: IN-PERSON & ONLINE ​ My online students are mostly from the Southwestern Pennsylvania area (Pittsburgh, PA).  I also have online students in Ohio and Virginia.  Before the lockdown started, I taught In-Person lessons at a Music Store in Bridgeville, PA 15017 (which went out of business), and after that at my house in Canonsburg, PA  15317.  ​ Currently, I am teaching both Online & In-Person Music Lessons from our apartment in Pasadena, California  91107.
​Sunday: Closed​
Mon - Thu: 3-9pm EST / 12-6pm PDT
​​Fri - Sat: 3-6pm EST / 12-3pm PDT
Online & In-Person Music Lessons
Learn from the Comfort of Your Home
Come On, Over!
UPDATE: I now teach Online & In-Person Music Lessons from our apartment in Pasadena, California.
High-Quality Audio for Zoom Lessons
I have special settings for both Mac & PC (plus tablets & smartphones) that give you High-Quality Audio. Â Zoom (and all the other online video conference apps) are designed for talking. Â But, Zoom has some special settings specifically designed for musicians. Â After we set it up, one of my students told me, "You know, this is gonna sound weird. Â But, it sounds like you're actually here, playing Trombone sitting in the chair right next to me."
Why Choose Online Music Lessons?
MUSIC BOOT CAMP - LIKE A PERSONAL TRAINER FOR BAND The main thing I try to teach my students is how to go past perceived limitations, both in music and in life.  In music, there is immediate feedback.  So, it helps you to have faith in yourself for real-life situations that aren't so obvious if everything will be ok. ​ Private Lessons are tailor-made for just one student, you!  We focus first on the music you are learning in School Band Class.  But then, we branch off from there...  either learning an Advanced Solo for Competitions, how to do Jazz Improv, Composing, etc. ​ I worked for Royal Caribbean for 5 years as a Professional Trombone Player.  I gained a lot of knowledge and experience that most other teachers just don't have.  Plus, my students love my stories from performing music around the world (6 continents, including Antarctica). ​ Everything I teach my students is a balance of learning new skills and then also applying those skills to fun songs. ​ By the way, you can add a second instrument at no extra charge.  I was an Elementary Band Teacher for 4 years (Monessen, PA: 3rd-12th Grade EL, MS, HS Band Teacher & Marching Band Director).  For families with more than one student, I can teach a variety of lessons.  I have a Pennsylvania K-12 Music Teacher Certificate (Penn State University, Main Campus - Full Scholarship & Grad Assistant for the Marching "BLUE BAND") and I have a Bachelors Degree in Music Performance (Duquesne University-Partial Scholarship on the Bass Trombone for both Classical Music & Jazz).
Physical Therapy for Musicians
​​The other thing I teach is Physical Therapy for Musicians.  I had a near-death experience in March 2019.  I couldn't even play "Mary Had A Little Lamb."  But, I was able to relearn everything and got invited to audition with the San Diego Symphony 9 months later.  I use that experience to help my students to quickly play at their best.  You gotta take baby steps to reach your goals, both in music and in life.  Anything is possible, if you break it up into 500 tiny steps.  Each step is simple.  You just gotta keep going, and put in the time with faith that it really will be worth it in the long run.
Advanced Language Learning Skills Applied to Music
Over 100 years ago, there were 2 professional music educators that really did the research.  Carl Orff & Zoltan Kodály (both from Budapest, Hungary) found that students learn best when they hear the music first, before learning how to read it.  Also, I find it helps to get some muscle memory involved before reading music.  My students really love this approach.  It's much easier in the long run, and way more fun!  ​
Jazz Improv Lessons
​My approach to Jazz Improv lessons is the same as Kirk Hammett, Lead Guitar for Metallica.  He said, "Never play something complicated that the audience won't respond to.  Instead, figure out what you're already good at that the audience likes."  I teach improv with the main goal of giving an emotional gift to the audience, every time.  To do that, we start with simple concepts that anybody can do on day one.  Then, later we get more complicated as we add new concepts in Jazz.
Pro Music Secrets Revealed
There are some unique concepts to playing at your best that very few people are aware of.  ​ When you know what they are, you can dominate the competition.  But more importantly, you have the confidence that comes from notes that always sound great.  And the audience likes it, too. ​ I'm currently writing a book about this, with helpful feedback for my students, coming soon: "Music Secrets Revealed".
