teaching philosophy
My goal is for students to become life-long lovers of music and help students find the love and passion for what they’re playing. The thing I always say to students is that “trombone should be fun.” If the goal of trombone playing is to have fun then we want to make it as easy as possible. Lessons place a strong focus on the fundamentals of playing (tone, playing in time, playing in tune) and an emphasis on musical interpretation (phrasing, style) informed by a discussion of musical components (scales, harmony, rhythm, meter). No two students are the same so the curriculum changes based on the needs and interests of the students. The other important area is learning how to practice effectively and efficiently. The last thing I want is a student who comes in after a week of practicing feeling like they couldn’t do anything to improve!
private lessons
I maintain a small private studio in West Hartford, CT. Student ages range from 9 years old to adults. Students from my studio have earned top placements in CMEA regionals and All-State, NEMFA, and many have gone on to study music at prestigious universities across the United States.
UConn
Students interested in studying at UConn should visit the links below to learn about our wide range of degree programs. Interested students can contact me directly to arrange a lesson or to plan a visit to UConn and shadow one of my students during class time. Trombone students at UConn participate in weekly lessons, performance class, and trombone ensemble.
Learn more about ensembles and auditions here.
music department resources
Wesleyan
I’ve been on faculty since 2020. If you are interested in applying to Wesleyan and would like to come have a trial lesson please contact me and we’ll set something up. This is a great opportunity to get to know one another and to learn more about the program.
If you are a current student you may request lessons. Please submit a POI request for lessons. Once submitted, I will follow up via email to discuss your background, experience, and availability.