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LESSONS |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are lessons and how long do they last?
Lessons are $20/30-minute session. I will do hour lessons when appropriate for an additional fee.
Where is your studio?
I have a studio in my home in Traverse City located close to the Grand Traverse Mall. This is a great location as it is centralized between all the Traverse City Area Schools. It is also close to one of the largest shopping areas in the region which is convenient for those who don't regularly come to this area.
What ages and ability level do you teach?
I teach lessons to students of any age from beginner to adult. You're never too old to learn to play an instrument!
Who should take private lessons?
People seek private lessons for a variety of reasons including but not limited to:
I am a trained multi-instrumentalist including my time as a certified K-12 teacher and band director. While trumpet is my primary instrument, I also teach and perform on all brass instruments and therefore teach all brass instruments. I also teach jazz improvisation to all instruments. I have a Master of Music from Indiana University in Jazz Studies and have extensive jazz pedagogy experience including being an adjudicator for the Michigan School Band & Orchestra Association.
Why should I take lessons with you?
There are different types of private teachers available with varying education and performance experiences and abilities. Some of the things that make me different are:
Yes, you can! Online lessons are available. There are many reasons this can be a great choice:
What equipment do I need for an online lesson?
On top of the normal items, the following make for the best experience:
I accept the following forms of payment:
Lessons are $20/30-minute session. I will do hour lessons when appropriate for an additional fee.
Where is your studio?
I have a studio in my home in Traverse City located close to the Grand Traverse Mall. This is a great location as it is centralized between all the Traverse City Area Schools. It is also close to one of the largest shopping areas in the region which is convenient for those who don't regularly come to this area.
What ages and ability level do you teach?
I teach lessons to students of any age from beginner to adult. You're never too old to learn to play an instrument!
Who should take private lessons?
People seek private lessons for a variety of reasons including but not limited to:
- Needing extra one-on-one attention
- Looking for more of a challenge
- A desire to improve certain aspects of their playing (range, sound quality, articulation, style, etc.)
- Preparing for an audition (military ensemble, chair challenge, college music degree, college marching band, etc.)
- Someone who has taken time away from the horn and wants to get up and running with the best foundation
- Beginners! Yes, I do teach beginners and am happy to do so. I work with many band programs around the country and have regularly taught the beginning trumpet class at Immaculate Conception Elementary here in Traverse City since moving here in 2014. It's so nice to get proper habits built in from the beginning so they don't have to be changed later!
I am a trained multi-instrumentalist including my time as a certified K-12 teacher and band director. While trumpet is my primary instrument, I also teach and perform on all brass instruments and therefore teach all brass instruments. I also teach jazz improvisation to all instruments. I have a Master of Music from Indiana University in Jazz Studies and have extensive jazz pedagogy experience including being an adjudicator for the Michigan School Band & Orchestra Association.
Why should I take lessons with you?
There are different types of private teachers available with varying education and performance experiences and abilities. Some of the things that make me different are:
- I have degrees in BOTH music education and performance. There are many great players in the world but not all of them possess the ability to effectively teach what they know due to only being trained as a player. I have been trained to be both a player and an educator. I really enjoy the opportunity to work individually with students to help them create a plan for success!
- A large number of my students have been successful in music during and after high school. Many of my current and former students have been first-chair players in their bands, regular members in honor band & orchestra organizations, and were accepted to and graduated from top collegiate undergraduate and graduate programs.
- I teach my students to be more than musicians. I realize not everyone I teach will go on to play in a major symphony orchestra or be a famous recording artist. Some people just enjoy playing music for fun! I try to relate the things we do in music to other aspects of life - discipline, problem solving, skill acquisition, work ethic, etc. These things will help them be a better person, a more successful person, and give them the competitive edge they need to be a top choice for a university admissions board or a future employer. People who study music, even as a hobby, are regularly recognized as better candidates for competitive program admissions such as graduate school for medicine, health professions, engineering, and more!
Yes, you can! Online lessons are available. There are many reasons this can be a great choice:
- Schedule Conflicts/Flexibility
- School Breaks including Summer Vacation
- Make-up Lessons
- No Travel Issues
What equipment do I need for an online lesson?
On top of the normal items, the following make for the best experience:
- A phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer
- Solid internet connection. A device that can be hardwired vs wifi generally works better and is more stable
- Either a built-in or external webcam like the Logitech C920, Logitech Brio, or LogiPro 4K.
- A microphone. Most devices with a camera built in also have a microphone. However, for the best sound quality an external microphone such as a Apogee MiC Plus USB or iRig Studio USB microphone will give the best results. Both of these devices have the flexibility to connect to a phone, tablet, or computer.
- Headphones
- Emailed exercises from me or music that you can scan or take a picture of to send to me so we both have a copy to work from.
I accept the following forms of payment:
- Cash
- Check
- PayPal (Friends & Family/Gift Option)
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"Josh is one of the best & musical lead trumpet players I have ever had in my band!"
~ Dr. David N. Baker Distinguished Professor of Music (Jazz Studies); Chair Emeritus, Department of Jazz Studies Indiana University Jacobs School of Music Former Director, Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra |
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"Thank you so much for playing. You were really adored and musically appreciated by all of us. I hope you’ll consider more gigs with our band in the future!"
~ Leslie Haskin Events Director & Vocalist High Impact Productions - Swing Shift |
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