Institutions
I serve on the faculties of the following schools:
Please contact me if you would like to set up a sample lesson.
Philosophy
My goal is for students to develop the ability to make thoughtful and convincing musical decisions, achieve technical fluency, understand the principles of reed-making, and develop an inner dialogue to assist with continued learning after formal training has ended.
Music is first and foremost about expression, which is not a simple matter of "feeling" the music, but a skill that must be learned and internalized. However, expression without technical discipline allows technical demands to dictate musical decisions. Neither technique nor expression can exist in a vacuum; therefore, to allow maximum musical freedom, I emphasize a strong basis in fundamentals coupled with a system of reed-making that is based on understanding simple cause-and-effect principles.
The component of inner dialogue is intimately connected with the development of musical, technical, and reed-making abilities. It is a delicate balance of recognizing and addressing weaknesses and increasing confidence, which is achieved by starting from a point of success:
- Slow, disciplined practice of short segments of music
- Being willing to make mistakes
- When mistakes do happen, learning to thoughtfully analyze their causes.
By taking these steps, one can address shortcomings and develop the confidence necessary to perform consistently at a high level.
Resources
Reed-Making Handout (William Short)
Long Tones (Benjamin Kamins)
Scales and Intervals (Benjamin Kamins)