About
Hello, my name is Evan Abounassar and I have been a professional trumpet player for over ten years. I am a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music, where I recieved a full ride schlarship to study with Jon Faddis. Over the years, I have shared the stage with artists such as Wynton Marsalis, Sean Jones, Terence Blanchard, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic and have been fortunate enough to perform in venues such as the Jazz Gallery, Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola, Blue Whale and in large halls such as the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Madison Square Garden, and the White House.
I have studied with many of the world's best trumpeters, improvisers, and composers such as Jon Faddis, Kye Palmer, Walter Smith III, and Miguel Zenon and have been through multiple embouchure changes on the horn. The experience of rebuilding my trumpet chops on multiple occassions has helped me to identify a wide variety of technical tension points in students, while my experiences with diverse teachers has enabled me to appeal not only to trumpet players but to composers and improvisers of any instrument or focus point.
I am a practitioner of meditation, and have toured across the country, playing in many sensitive settings, with the prominent yogi, Sadhguru. As a result of this background (and similar to many great teachers), my approach to teaching involves much more than just technical exercises (which I do believe are vital and must be done early in one's career), and incorporates a wider perspective on the music, the instrument, and most importantly the person behind it.
I know the impact that my teachers had on me when I was developing as not only a trumpet player, but a musician and a human being. Every opportunity that came my way, starting from a young age, happened because of the potential that a teacher saw in me, and the trust they had in my abilities. It is a privilege to be that figure for people, whether they are 10 or 50, whether they play the trumpet or not.
I look forward to meeting you, discussing your goals, and seeing how I can help.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I always try to make students feel comfortable, and to provide an atmosphere where stepping out of one's musical comfort zone is a natural consequence. This, I believe, is the most crucial aspect of musical and artistic growth. After that is established, I like to assess the goals, and the percieved inadequacies, of the student. Many times, students will come to me for a specific purpose, and I like to get down to business immediately. Often times, however, we as musicians may not know exactly what we need and are looking for guidance on the next steps forward in our development. For those situations, I like students to simply play so that I can listen and identify some aspects that need more attention. The most valuable experiences I have had as a student have come from those scenarios where the sensitive ear of the teacher was able to guide me into a new level of musicianship I didn't know was possible.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I attended the Los Angeles County HS for the Arts, the Colburn School, Brubeck Institute of Jazz, and the Manhattan School of Music. I have studied privately with Jon Faddis, Walter Smith III, and Kye Palmer and played in ensembles led by Miguel Zenon, Kendrick Scott, and Dayna Stephens. Throughout high school, I was involved in a number of dynamic bands which were geared towards providing students with real world experience as touring artists. This included the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz All-Stars, the Grammy Big Band, and the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra
How did you get started teaching?
My first experience as a teacher was when my neighboor, who unfortunately had heard me practicing everyday for many years, asked me to teach his son how to play so that he could prepare to audition for the US Marine Band. After that, I started teaching high school students locally in Southern California.
What types of students have you worked with?
Aside from teaching privately throughout high school , I have travelled with bands such as the Thelonious Monk All Stars, playing for high school students and afterwards working with their ensembles. When I attended the Brubeck Institute, a quintet program on the University of the Pacific campus, we played a teaching role for the students of the university. I then finished my college studies in New York City, where I taught several high school and college students privately. I also give private lessons to groups of musicians who are looking for advice on how to take their band to the next level.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
I would go with a teacher who you cnnect with personally and who has done, or is doing, the things you want to do. The teachers we choose will decide alot about the course of our musical and personal development. Often times without us realizing it. I am so thankful, in hindsight, for the great teachers I have had because I know that not everyone has had those opportunities and I recognize that alot of it was because of the uniquely perceptive guidance of the teachers I had. Teachers are not only people who can help you at your current level, but are people whom you can share bonds with throughout your life and can open up many musical opportunities.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Think about the musician you are right now and imagine the musician you want to be in the future. The ability to identify the areas you want to work on is very important, but equally important is the ability to be open to completely new ways of approaching learning. Above all, come eager to learn!