About
Kyle Bellaire is a saxophonist and educator from Woodbine, Maryland. He received his bachelors and masters degrees in jazz performance from the world-renowned University of North Texas College of Music where he studied with saxophonist Brad Leali. During his studies he earned the lead alto saxophone position and was a featured soloist for the internationally acclaimed One O’Clock Lab Band under the direction of Alan Baylock.
Bellaire has performed with numerous notable musicians including Doc Severinson, Jimmy Heath, Christian McBride, Chris Potter, Marcus Miller, Rashawn Ross, Marshall Gilkes, Aubrey Ochoa, Frank Greene, Scott Belck, Corey Deadman, Cynthia Scott, Barbara Morrison, Stefon Harris, Brad Leali, Shelley Carrol, Tanya Darby, and Dan Haerle. As a soloist he has performed in several recording projects including the One O’Clock Lab Band’s Lab 2017 and Lab 2018, the Two O’Clock Lab Band’s Channel Two2016, and the UNT Latin Jazz Ensemble’s Little “D” Town 2015.
Bellaire was appointed teaching fellow for the University of North Texas jazz department and director of the Eight O’Clock Lab Band. As part of his fellowship he taught private jazz lessons to undergraduate students as well as a course on sight reading. Bellaire held the position of adjunct jazz saxophone professor at Dallas College in Dallas, Texas from 2019 to 2021. He regularly performs as a favored freelance musician and is a sought-after private lesson teacher and clinician in major cities including Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Philadelphia.
Highlights
Photos and videos
Reviews
Bates P.
Grayson L.
Isaac J.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
First, I ask my new students what their goals are and assess how much prior training they've had.
If they've had some prior training I'll have them play something of their choosing so that I can listen to their tone, breathing, articulation, rhythm, time, and I'll watch their embouchure and finger technique.
If the student has no prior training I will start with the basics of the saxophone itself including how to assemble, reeds, embouchure, and the notes/fingerings. I will also begin teaching the student how to read music.
To end every lesson my students get a lesson note emailed to them that has what they need to practice for the week written out as a practice routine.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Education
· University of North Texas
Master of Music: Jazz Saxophone Performance
Graduation: May 2018, GPA 3.6
· University of North Texas
Bachelor of Music: Jazz Saxophone Performance with 2 years classical saxophone
Graduation: August 2015, GPA: 3.4
· Adjunct Professor of Jazz Saxophone Dallas College
August 2019 – May 2021
· UNT Teaching Fellow
January 2017 – May 2018. Private saxophone lessons. Director of the 8 O’Clock Lab Band
· Private Lesson Teacher Alto/Tenor/Baritone Sax
Home studio (March 2020 – present), Allen ISD (June 2015 – August 2016), Northwest ISD (August 2017 – December 2019), Frisco ISD (June 2018 – June 2021), Carroll ISD (January 2019 – June 2021), Richardson ISD (August 2019 – June 2021)
· BVTLive!
August 2021 – present. Saxophones and Flute
· Intensity Cover Band
January 2019 – July 2021. Saxophones and Flute
· David Whiteman Cover Band
June 2016 – July 2021. Saxophones and Flute
· Performed with the UNT One O’Clock Lab Band at numerous concerts and venues such as the Monterey Jazz Festival, Blues Alley Jazz Club D.C., Bass Hall Ft. Worth, JEN Conference
· Performed alongside Jimmy Heath, Chris Potter, Marcus Miller, Doc Severinsen, Christian McBride, Frank Greene, Stefon Harris, Rashawn Ross, Marshall Gilkes, Scott Belck, Carey Deadman, Brad Leali, Cynthia Scott, Shelley Carroll, Tanya Darby, Jose Aponte
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
In-person lessons are taught in my home in Woodbine, MD.
30min - $40
45min - $60
60min - $75
Online lessons are taught over Zoom
30min - $40
45min - $60
60min - $75
How did you get started teaching?
I began teaching private music lessons after finishing my bachelor's degree at the University of North Texas. My first teaching positions were in the public school districts in the Dallas Ft. Worth Metroplex teaching all ages including elementary, middle, high school, and college.
I earned the position of Teaching Fellow for the University of North Texas in my master's degree and taught lessons to undergraduate students while continuing to teach in the public school districts in the DFW metroplex.
After completing my master's degree I was hired by Dallas College as Adjunct Professor of Jazz Saxophone and taught lessons to high school, college, and professional students.
What types of students have you worked with?
All skill levels and all age groups.