About
John has a B.A. in Performance from Lawrence University and has taught trumpet and brass privately for over two decades at several schools in New England and the New York area. Working with both children and adults, he currently teaches at the NY Jazz Workshop, Bronxville and at his private studio in Brooklyn. John has appeared as guest soloist/clinician at high schools and universities throughout the country, including Harvard, MIT, Wichita State, Lawrence and Virginia Commonwealth Universities. He has taught jazz improvisation at Interplay Jazz & Arts in Vermont, the Foxboro Music Program and Tufts University, as well as in Maine and Iowa. Along with his work as a brass coach for Brooklyn Youth Music Project (BYMP), John is a Teaching Artist with the Carnegie Hall Musical Connections Program.
Having studied at a conservatory of music, I believe in teaching fundamentals for a strong foundation, enabling students to play various styles of music including Western European music, Balkan Brass Bands, Latin and Jazz. It is my objective to instill students with the knowledge and inspiration to succeed in their creative pursuits. Of particular interest to me is exploring improvisation with students in a fun, challenging and creative environment. Creating music is ultimately an exploration of self-expression. It has always been my privilege to participate in the joy of helping students express their individuality through music.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Every student has his unique way of learning and I will always adapt my teaching to their individual needs. Some of the topics we cover are:
-specific exercises for improving endurance, range, mobility, various tonguing techniques and sound.
-intervallic studies, scales, modes, rhythmic exercises.
-exploration of various jazz and trumpet styles (swing, bebop, post-bop, free jazz, etc.).
-analysis and transcriptions of master trumpet solos.
-learning tunes using recordings, fake books and the Abersold series.
-creating melodic lines and phrases over chord changes.
-creating lines and phrases without chord changes.
-translating concepts and ideas into concise music expression.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
John has a B.A. in Performance from Lawrence University and has taught trumpet and brass privately for over two decades at several schools in New England and the New York area. Working with both children and adults, he currently teaches at the NY Jazz Workshop, Bronxville and at his private studio in Brooklyn. John has appeared as guest soloist/clinician at high schools and universities throughout the country, including Harvard, MIT, Wichita State, Lawrence and Virginia Commonwealth Universities. He has taught jazz improvisation at Interplay Jazz & Arts in Vermont, the Foxboro Music Program and Tufts University, as well as in Maine and Iowa. Along with his work as a brass coach for Brooklyn Youth Music Project (BYMP), John is a Teaching Artist with the Carnegie Hall Musical Connections Program.
What types of students have you worked with?
I teach young students and adults alike, who are interested in learning the fudamentals of trumpet playing, whether it be classical or jazz.