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Objective:
My goal is to create life-long learners, so you may always find time for practice and a place to perform great music.
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FAQ:
So, why take lessons with ME?!
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This is my 19th year of teaching as a fully-certified music educator (EC - 12)
with both a Bachelor's degree in Music Education (2005) from Rutgers,
the State University of New Jersey and a Master's degree in Music Education
from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA, 2010).
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With the saxophone as my principal instrument of over 33 years,
I have performed with various ensembles regionally.
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I am currently an active member of: Texas Music Educators Association,
NAfME (The National Association for Music Education),
and Kappa Delta Pi: International Honor Society in Education.
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In addition, I have invested more than 19,000 hours of practice with the saxophone alone!
"Okay, you're qualified Neil...but still, why take lessons with YOU?!"
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I strive to create life-long musicians...
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I provide weekly evaluations that involves quantitative analysis
(e.g., rubrics for various target areas for improvement) to show measurable progress
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Competitive rates
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I focus on the needs and interests of my students,
thereby representing all musical genres and including all cultures
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My lessons are structured into activities that incorporate various aspects of music appreciation:
Music theory, music history, music technology, performance practice, etc.
(making such lessons comprehensive)
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Advising with research to support that we are ALL musically inclined...
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Therefore, helping my students to learn about ALL the various career paths in music,
and that there is more to band, choir, and orchestra programs (post-high school)
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I provide my students with access to relevant research studies
(e.g., the truth on music and the brain--specifically,
its connections to participation in music programs
and what effect that has on standardized tests in core subjects)
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Thus, let's keep you and/or your child motivated!
Let's get people of ALL ages involved in music performance...
I have plenty of energy and enthusiasm to assure you and/or your child that
EVERYONE has the capacity to be outstanding musicians THROUGHOUT life!
What services do I offer? (Click to learn more...)
Who is this for?
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Students of ALL ages are welcome.
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Great for students in school who are not offered regular "sectionals"
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Home-schooled students
Which instruments do I provide instruction for?
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Saxophones: Soprano, Alto, & Tenor
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Flute
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Clarinet
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Trumpet
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Trombone
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Drums & Percussion
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Piano
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Violin
What days/hours am I available to teach?
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All! Please click HERE to view my availability schedule so we can reserve a day & time for you...
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I am available January through December...I am available weekdays & evenings, as well as on weekends!
However, I do reserve Sundays as either a make-up day, for recitals, and/or planning.
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Lessons can start as early as 8:00 a.m. and end as late as 7:00 PM.
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Depending on how often we meet, lessons are 30-minutes, 45-minutes, 1 hour, or 1½ hours.
Please note that I do NOT travel for 30-minute or 45-minute lessons
(unless there are at least two students taking lessons back-to-back such as siblings, etc.)
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We either meet weekly, twice a week, or once every other week (at least twice per month).
Consultations are scheduled as either quarterly (4 times per year) or semiannually (twice per year).
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Master classes and consultation sessions are two hours
(please view my rates below...)
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I am available on holidays, please contact me for a specific time.
Where are lessons held?
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I am located Exit 550 just off IH-10 West & Ralph Fair Road in the Leon Springs area...
(about 1 block from The Dominion and less than 5 minutes from The Rim / La Cantera)
My Private Music Studio
is my preferred location as I have all materials already set-up for such dedicated practice.
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If you prefer, we could meet at your home;
although my policy sheet that must be signed before any lessons are given states basic requirements for doing so.
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For a neutral location, we can meet
in the Fine Arts building at the UTSA main campus
(please read below for such rates), as there are individual practice rooms available.
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Also (for a neutral location), we can meet at your church...
Please view my rates for pricing...
Do I offer lessons online?
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I do teach online, via both Skype & Zoom.
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Both platforms work on any device (e.g., Mac/PC, Desktop/Laptop, iPhone/Android, iPad/Surface, etc.)
and are FREE to use. They are also safe and easy to use.
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To download, visit either the App Store or the Play Store, or download directly from their web site.
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Approx. 5 minutes before the scheduled lesson,
I will either text you or e-mail you a secure link to our online session.
Just click it, and Skype or Zoom will open and take you directly to me!
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All new material (sheet music) will be e-mailed to you in advance via .pdf
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Visit my Premier Performance site for audio files to accompany the music I give in the lessons!
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Fyi: My rate for online sessions is $5 less than my normal rate.
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I do NOT offer consultation sessions online,
nor do I recommend this type of meeting for the initial interview.
Am I vaccinated?
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As you can see from the image above, I received my 1st COVID-19 vaccination from Pfizer on February, 9th, 2021.
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I received my 2nd COVID-19 vaccination from Pfizer on Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021.
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Fyi: Since the pandemic in March 2020, I recommend wearing masks during lessons whenever possible.
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I have not traveled on vacation, as I have avoided large crowds
(including attending the annual TMEA convention online this year).
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As always, I thoroughly disinfect all surfaces between lessons:
(e.g., Pianos, door handles, railings, bathroom, refrigerator door, desks, music stands, etc.)
Consultation services:
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Perfect for musicians who are not 'beginners' but cannot commit to meeting for weekly lessons...
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For those looking more for a consultant than a weekly personal trainer/coach, I highly recommend these sessions!
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Consultation sessions are two (2) hours and can be scheduled quarterly or semi-annually.
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The sole purpose of these sessions is for me to diagnose what areas you are lacking (musically);
and to prescribe what repertoire (exercises, etc.) to include in your practice regiment in order to improve.
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This way, you can save $$ and time by not paying for & attending weekly practice sessions,
but instead receive expert-level consultation on how YOU can reach YOUR goals!
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I record you playing various exercises and etudes to assess your current level of performance, then:
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Using rubrics, I can objectively score your present level of instrumental performance,
and can therefore measure progress between sessions.
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Of course, topics included in such sessions are custom-tailored, but typically include:
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Suggestions for HOW to practice
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Advice on necessary materials to help you reach your target goals (e.g., mouthpiece brands & sizes, etc.)
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Recommendations on material (e.g., methods books) to add to your practice repertoire & where to buy
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Tips on maintenance & how to repair on your own
Music theory:
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Younger students especially often do not get the opportunity to take music theory classes,
so I often include music theory during lessons as I feel quite strongly that students benefit from any extra guided time to
focus solely on skills related to reading & understanding music from a structural, melodic, rhythmic, fugal, and
harmonic analysis.
Chamber sessions:
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I highly recommend combining the first/last half of your lesson to be reserved as a chamber session:
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An opportunity to gain much needed practice time with my other music students...
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These skills are not only necessary to build musicianship,
but also improve each student's sense of balance/blend, rhythm,
dynamics, articulation, intonation, improvisation, and more!
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Great for practicing for solo & ensemble festivals and to prepare for sight-reading contests!
Annual recitals?
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Yes! This is the time to see your child perform, especially with others.
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The goal is to attain performance techniques (build stage presence skills so as to reduce nervousness).
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This is the culminating experience of all weekly & monthly lessons!
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In the past, such students have performed at hospitals, town halls, local festivals, universities, malls,
and even as a "gathering party" at my home studio!
What to expect after lessons:
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I periodically record (using software programs) my students,
so as to ensure that there is measurable progress in a variety of specific target areas
(needed for improvement) that we agree on during our initial interview.
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Therefore, I will use such technology to assess such progress every six months
(e.g., tuning, scale performance, intonation, articulation, etc.)
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A detailed weekly evaluation is provided with rubrics so as to measure progress in a variety of musical areas where
skills are being taught and built.
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Students are given an assignment journal that indicates which repertoire to focus on and to log times and hours practiced.
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In addition, I request annual parent conferences to assess such progress and to officially address any additional concerns.
Master Classes:
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I am often requested by my teaching colleagues and other music professionals to serve as a clinician for a master class.
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Such sessions provide an in-depth analysis for a GROUP of students to ask questions,
see & hear demonstrations of masterpieces performed, discuss advanced techniques, etc.
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Master classes are typically at least two (2) hours.
Are YOU a university student studying music education?
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I also offer mentoring services:
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Similar to my lessons, these are designed to provide you with the skills of HOW to TEACH the same material I instruct to you, e.g.,
(most music ed. programs require such outside mentoring...)
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My comprehensive 'cadet' teaching program can work around your schedule to help you build the skills you need to teach!
Need instrumental repairs?
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I have been fixing both woodwind & brass instruments for students and faculty members for many years.
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Of course, I will need to inspect the instrument first in order to quote a reasonable price for repairs.
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If you are one of my students, PLEASE consult with me BEFORE taking your instrument to a repair shop or canceling a lesson!
What if my child is unsure of what instrument he/she wants to play?
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During our initial interview, I'd prefer for us to meet at my home studio for an instrumental "petting zoo"
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Don't laugh! This is actually very common among beginners in many public schools around the country,
where each instrument is on a different table and 1st chair (advanced level) students demonstrate their instrument.
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I have many instruments and would we more than willing to allow for questions about woodwind vs. brass instruments, or strings, piano, etc.
What materials/supplies will my child need?
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Please contact me as each type of service or instrument requires separate items.
How do we get started?
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Please contact me to schedule an initial interview (this is NOT an audition--it is a meet & greet opportunity).
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I have a policy sheet to go over at that time so that there are never any surprises when it comes to appointments,
cancellations, pricing, location agreements, etc.
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At that point we can begin reserving a designated day and time for lessons.
How will I contact you?
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I prefer to send all reminders, updates/notifications, bills & receipts, and all other correspondence via e-mail.
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If you prefer, I have receipts that can be mailed out to your address;
However, last-minute notices need to be given over the phone!
Do parents sit-in during lessons?
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YES!
Please bring no more than one other additional child,
and please keep interruptions including criticism to a minimum.
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I strongly encourage frequent (not constant!) supervision at your home while your child practices,
not only to monitor such practice does take place but also as a means of support and extrinsic motivation.
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If you do not wish to stay during lessons,
then I usually recommend local coffee shops, shopping, etc.
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Remember that our annual conference is the best time to assess, evaluate, ask questions, etc.
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Also keep in mind that I provide monthly correspondence via e-mail
and you are always welcome to contact me via phone (call or text).
Fees: What do I charge?
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I happen to be an independent contractor through:
These "broker-sites" add their fee to my rate.
Therefore, taking lessons with me directly saves you considerable amounts of money!
(As much as 40% if you are considering coming to me directly from TakeLessons!)
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Registration & Materials Fee:
$40 annually per student
This covers the cost of the student's binder,
which houses all sheet music played during lessons.
While I am mostly covering my expense of toner with this fee,
You are saving money and time by not having to find and purchase various methods books and other material...
I provide valuable reference material for your instrument,
All warm-up exercises are created by me personally,
Excerpts from various methods books (depending on the student's level),
and TONS of arrangements by me of suitable repertoire (e.g., songs, etudes, etc.)
Depending on the instrument, it also covers:
Minor, on-the-spot repairs,
Valve oil, Reeds, Cork grease, etc.
and EVERY student is given a practice log (so they know what to work on before I see them again).
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I ask only $40 per hour of instruction for lessons at my home studio.
This means 30-minute lessons are $20 each, 45-minute lessons are $30 each,
and 90-minute lessons are offered at a reduced rate of $55 per session.
FREE beverages! (e.g., Bottled water, sodas, juice, etc.)
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I ask just $50 per hour of instruction if I travel to your home,
and I do not travel for 30-minute or 45-minute lessons unless there are at least two (2) back-to-back.
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$55 per hour of instruction if we meet in the Fine Arts Building of UTSA's main campus (Summers only).
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Skype & Zoom:
$5 off my studio rate (as you have to print out material)
$35 per hour of instruction, $25 for a 45-minute session, and $15 for a 30-minute session.
A 90-minute lesson will be charged $50.
All new music will be e-mailed to you in advance via .pdf
Check out my Premier Performance site for listening files to practice along with at home!
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Consultation & Master-classes: No registration fee required. $100 per session.
* Returning students: $75 per session!
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Referral program: $50.00 to YOU for EACH qualified referral!
(Note: This applies only to students who take weekly lessons with me.
New students must be signed-on for at least one month.)
How do I handle bills & forms of payments?
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I send invoices out (via e-mail) at the beginning of the month.
Attached in the e-mail will be a .pdf of your actual invoice.
As per my policy sheet, lessons are billed monthly and paid in-advance.
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I accept:
Check or Cash
If you wish to pay via credit card, I accept all 4 major credit cards via Square, Inc.
Visa, MasterCard, Discover, & American Express.
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You can either pay me in-person, or you can receive a separate e-mail linking you to Square processing.
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Please note that as per my policy sheet, late fees are $10/month
and you are responsible for reimbursing me for any bounced check fees!
Click HERE to Sign-up/Log-in to your FREE e-mail at Neil's Site!
