For interested students/parents

Javier with studentsI have been active as an educator since 1991. I have taught at colleges, high schools, elementary schools, music camps, school assemblies, and have given group lessons and private lessons. Please also check out Lesson Plans where I periodically post my thoughts or lessons on various subjects. I teach the following areas of music:

General Music

I enjoy teaching general music to groups of young children, ages 4-6. These classes are a step up from typical music and movement classes for this age group, and they lay a great foundation for the student who will eventually study privately on a specific instrument. Through general music classes, students learn about the following areas of music:

  • drama/role-playing in music
  • visual art and music
  • architecture and direction in music
  • the orchestra
  • orchestration
  • how to listen
  • rhythm
  • patterns
  • percussion
  • piano/guitar/recorder/singing
  • composition
  • improvisation
  • basic note-reading
  • jazz/classical/blues styles

Beginning Instrumental Study

(saxophone/piano/flute/clarinet)

Javier with studentI believe that nearly all of us are drawn initially to music because it is full of so much joy and wonder. It is my passionate goal as an educator to help keep that sense of joy and wonder alive and well throughout each studentís time with me. I offer a holistic curriculum that incorporates not only the practical and traditional aspects of playing songs on the instrument, but also introduces music theory, composition, and improvisation. Most students work out of at least two books. One is a traditional method book in which the student learns already written songs. The other is a blank manuscript book where the student begins writing his or her own compositions. I am interested also in widening each studentís vision and imagination, as we learn about visual art, drama, and language in relation to music. I have developed an original method of teaching note-reading that drastically improves each studentís retention and understanding of the concept.

Lessons are usually 30 minutes. 60 minute lessons are also available.

Intermediate/Advanced Instrumental Study

(saxophone/piano)

This level of study assumes that, at the very minimum, the student has a basic knowledge of the instrument and can play relatively easy pieces without difficulty. Each student comes to me with certain strengths, and I am happy to help develop those strengths. I am even more interested in helping with any weaknesses the player might have. If the weakness is rhythm, let's tackle it. If you read well, but you want to loosen up a little and learn more about improvising, we'll start there. Same thing goes if you can play by ear and want to learn to read notation. Some players come to me wanting to learn a particular style, and I am happy to accommodate.

I recommend a 60 minute lesson for intermediate/advanced lessons. 30 minute lessons are also available.

Composition/Arranging/Improvisation/Theory Studies

These lessons assume some general knowledge of a particular instrument. Basic knowledge of the piano keyboard is recommended. Students generally approach me with a particular goal or area of study in mind. Some sample areas of study are listed below:

  • Jazz Composition (tune writing, longer forms, jazz band, songwriting)
  • Classical Composition (free, twelve-tone, neo-romantic, electronic)
  • Arranging (big band arranging, orchestration)
  • Improvisation (free, over jazz changes, blues)
  • Theory (classical, jazz)

I recommend a 60 minute lesson.