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John's parents enrolled him in group lessons for clarinet when he was in third grade. That started what has now become a lifelong love of music and musical instruments. John began playing the clarinet outside of lessons, forming a band with two friends who played drums and guitar; playing Pop songs of the 60’s, like ‘Windy’, at 4-H, Boy Scout and school assemblies - the clarinet carried the melodies, since "none of them could sing!" By High School John wanted to join the school band, but their clarinet section was pretty full. As it turned out, his father had an old saxophone tucked away in a closet that he had played as a teenager. |
John got it refurbished and taught himself the difference in fingering; saxophone vs. the clarinet, and he made the band! They were primarily a marching band, playing at basketball and football games, but also a concert band playing school assemblies and an orchestra for school musical productions. The highlight of that time was when the band got to march in the St. Patrick’s Day parade in NYC. Outside of school John joined an alternative rock band as part of their horn section doing cover songs and original music. During that time, John taught himself ‘Pick Up the Pieces’ by The Average White Band. He became more serious about playing saxophone and took lessons with a saxophonist who had played back in the day with the Glenn Miller orchestra.
During college John drifted away from playing instruments as work and family life became the focus of his time and attention. John's entire career was IT based, working for large and small companies. In his 40’s, as life settled down with a home and three daughters, John once again became interested in playing an instrument. He had opportunity to get a ‘free’ upright piano, which needed some work, and John learned to do the work himself. He taught himself piano and continued learning until his work required him to move to the West Coast, where he could not take the piano with him. One day, as John was shopping in Costco, he saw a Yamaha guitar kit hanging from the shelf and said, “I may not be able to fit a piano in the house, but I can certainly fit a guitar!”. That’s what rekindled his desire to play instruments again.
Over the past 20 years he has taken private guitar lessons from a variety of teachers. During that time, he learned both tablature (which allowed him to play the songs he loved right away) and musical notation. The highlight of John's formal guitar education was the time he took a Master Class with Doug Smith, the Grammy winning guitarist for his work on the album ‘Henry Mancini-Pink Guitar’.
In 2014, as his IT consulting work schedule allowed, he approached the owner of a string of local music shops and asked if she could use an instructor. She had John audition on several instruments and hired him. During that time he taught himself the flute after taking on a retired couple, one of whom wanted to learn clarinet, and the other wanted to use the flute they had bought their daughter many years ago. Since then, John has maintained a core group of students, going to online instruction during the pandemic. It was during that time, with his consulting work put on hold, that he decided he wanted to make teaching music a full time profession. John loves introducing the joy of making music to people, and the satisfaction it brings to see them accomplish their goals. The most rewarding experiences have been where young students going into middle school or high school are able to make their respective bands, with one even making 1st chair!
During college John drifted away from playing instruments as work and family life became the focus of his time and attention. John's entire career was IT based, working for large and small companies. In his 40’s, as life settled down with a home and three daughters, John once again became interested in playing an instrument. He had opportunity to get a ‘free’ upright piano, which needed some work, and John learned to do the work himself. He taught himself piano and continued learning until his work required him to move to the West Coast, where he could not take the piano with him. One day, as John was shopping in Costco, he saw a Yamaha guitar kit hanging from the shelf and said, “I may not be able to fit a piano in the house, but I can certainly fit a guitar!”. That’s what rekindled his desire to play instruments again.
Over the past 20 years he has taken private guitar lessons from a variety of teachers. During that time, he learned both tablature (which allowed him to play the songs he loved right away) and musical notation. The highlight of John's formal guitar education was the time he took a Master Class with Doug Smith, the Grammy winning guitarist for his work on the album ‘Henry Mancini-Pink Guitar’.
In 2014, as his IT consulting work schedule allowed, he approached the owner of a string of local music shops and asked if she could use an instructor. She had John audition on several instruments and hired him. During that time he taught himself the flute after taking on a retired couple, one of whom wanted to learn clarinet, and the other wanted to use the flute they had bought their daughter many years ago. Since then, John has maintained a core group of students, going to online instruction during the pandemic. It was during that time, with his consulting work put on hold, that he decided he wanted to make teaching music a full time profession. John loves introducing the joy of making music to people, and the satisfaction it brings to see them accomplish their goals. The most rewarding experiences have been where young students going into middle school or high school are able to make their respective bands, with one even making 1st chair!
John's Teaching Style:
"My philosophy of teaching music is to customize the musical experience to each student’s ability, aptitude and interests. I provide positive reinforcement and encouragement to progress toward their musical goals and objectives. I’m patient and focus on making music fun!
I utilize standard instructional material, such as the Rubank Method series of books for clarinet, flute and saxophone, or the Hal Leonard Guitar Method series that teach proper technique and build a solid technical foundation on guitar. I supplement that material with other sources that expand on music theory or other concepts we are working on. Most importantly, I provide the sheet music or tablature for the songs in the style, genre or artist they want to learn. Because, after all, it’s all about playing music!
I emphasize a practice routine that focuses on the concepts of Learn, Practice, Play. It consists of time for a warming up, working on technique, ear training, music knowledge, and building a repertoire of songs the student can play with friends anywhere!"
"My philosophy of teaching music is to customize the musical experience to each student’s ability, aptitude and interests. I provide positive reinforcement and encouragement to progress toward their musical goals and objectives. I’m patient and focus on making music fun!
I utilize standard instructional material, such as the Rubank Method series of books for clarinet, flute and saxophone, or the Hal Leonard Guitar Method series that teach proper technique and build a solid technical foundation on guitar. I supplement that material with other sources that expand on music theory or other concepts we are working on. Most importantly, I provide the sheet music or tablature for the songs in the style, genre or artist they want to learn. Because, after all, it’s all about playing music!
I emphasize a practice routine that focuses on the concepts of Learn, Practice, Play. It consists of time for a warming up, working on technique, ear training, music knowledge, and building a repertoire of songs the student can play with friends anywhere!"