I offer a fresh perspective on the role of the music teacher. I'm certainly here to help my students learn the fundamentals, but I believe in a why-first approach to lessons. If I can't clearly articulate the reason why we're doing something and the impact it will have on a student's progress or understanding, then we don't do it. Nothing is arbitrary, and every moment is useful. I try to make sense of things by observing the patterns and relationships at play in the world around me, and I often employ this approach in my curriculum. Whether we're discussing scales, chords, saxophone technique, vocal technique or songwriting—everything can be...

The son of two music teachers, I have been immersed in music, first violin, then piano, and finally trombone, since the age of 7. I fell in love with jazz, especially Dixieland, Louis Armstrong, Jack Teagarden, through Miles Davis, JJ Johnson and beyond, when I was a teenager, but ultimately my main focus has been on Classical music for most of my career. I attended Juilliard Pre-College, Manhattan School of Music and the Juilliard School, where I studied with the top trombonists in the classical orchestral field, and I now perform with some of the top orchestras in New York City, including the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, America...

Over 50 years Jazz Blues and Pop. Schooled and still Performing. Rythum Reading and Improv. Playing with others and Listening and learning. Being able to teach what I know makes me feel good.