Introduction: I hold a MBA in music management from the William Paterson University of New Jersey and a BA in jazz studies from the University of Louisville, School of Music. I began teaching music directly out of high school with helping out at area marching band camps. I like to encourage my students to develop not only a competency for their instruments, but more importantly a lifelong passion and appreciation for the arts. I've found that each student has varying levels, needs and desires to their individual approach to learning. I emphasize and encourage my students to celebrate the small wins along their own personal journey in the music.