Woodwind Performance, Improvisation, Jazz Composition, and Music Theory with Chris

A partir de 92 $ /h

Chris is a New York City-based multi-instrumentalist. A passionate composer and improviser, he has performed as a leader and sideman throughout New York, Boston, Colorado and abroad over the past 15 years. Chris attended the Manhattan School of Music (MM ‘25) and the New England Conservatory of Music (BM ‘23). He has taught privately and within public schools over the past eight years, and loves to help students cultivate their passion for music and instrumental performance. Students can choose to focus entirely on their instrument (saxophone, clarinet, and flute), or can specifically study improvisation, jazz composition, music theory, and ear training.

While primarily a jazz musician, Chris is trained in a wide variety of musics including classical, which he diligently studied on the clarinet; popular music and R&B; and world musics, including Brazilian (Choro/Bossa/Samba), Latin-American (Bomba/Timba/Rumba), and West-African styles (Agbekor/Gahu).

Some of Chris's many accomplishments include being recognized as a YoungArts Jazz Performance winner for four years in a row; performing abroad in Europe with the inaugural NYO Jazz Band, receiving a Community Performances and Partnerships Ensemble Fellowship at New England Conservatory, and also receiving the George Whitefield Chadwick Medal of musical and academic performance.

Chris emphasizes a teaching approach that prioritizes connecting with the student and engaging them in what they’re specifically interested in, while also covering the fundamentals essential to developing ones skills on their instrument or in their field of study. He offers lessons in person, primarily at students's personal residences, and also online via Zoom, Google Meet, or FaceTime (although in person is highly recommended).

Información adicional

Students must have access to their own instruments and have a practice space.

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Clases en el domicilio del estudiante :

Alrededor de Astoria, NY, Estados Unidos

Clase en el domicilio del profesor :

West h Street, New York, NY, USA

Conectado desde Estados Unidos

Acerca de mí

Chris was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. At a young age, Chris was exposed to music and the arts through his parents, who encouraged him to explore all creative outlets. After years of piano lessons and singing in choirs, it was listening to Coltrane and Sonny Rollins recordings that inspired Chris to pursue playing saxophone and jazz music.

At age 9, Chris began his studies on the clarinet, learning both classical and jazz styles, which naturally led him to the saxophone and later the flute. Chris began studying at the Denver School of the Arts in 2014, where he graduated in 2019. Additionally, he participated in the Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts for six years, a program to which he attests much of his musical growth. Through dedication and hard work, Chris received statewide and national musical acclaim early on—Colorado All State Jazz Band, the Telluride Jazz All Stars, National YoungArts awards, Downbeat Magazine Student Music Awards, the Vail Jazz Workshop, and NYO Jazz were just a few of his accomplishments in high school. In 2017, Chris began to work in music education at the private level and through outreach with Ashley Elementary School, which led him to foster a love for teaching. Chris began studying at the New England Conservatory of Music in 2019, where he graduated in 2023 with his Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Performance (Academic Honors, Phi Kappa Lambda Nominee, George Whitefield Chadwick Medal recipient). In May 2025, Chris graduated from the Manhattan School of Music with his Master of Music degree in Jazz Performance. Chris currently teaches saxophone, clarinet, flute, improvisation, composition, and music theory/ear training at all levels.

Chris has performed alongside and worked with many notable musicians, including Sean Jones, Dianne Reeves, Wycliffe Gordon, Paul Romaine, Shane Endsley, Greg Gisbert, Ethan Iverson, Dave Holland, Maria Schneider, Tim Hagans, John Benitez, and Luisito Quintero. Though Chris currently lives in New York City, he often performs throughout the Denver-Metro area with groups of his own and as a sideman. Chris is a founding member of Splifftet, a Denver-based collective that has been playing together for the past seven years; and Things of This Nature, a New-York based chordless quartet which formed at the Manhattan School of Music. At MSM, Chris studied with Mark Shim and Dayna Stephens. At the New England Conservatory of Music, Chris studied with a number of influential teachers: Frank Carlberg, Jason Moran, Joe Morris, Jerry Leake, Melissa Aldana, and Miguel Zenón, among many others. Chris is passionate about composing and exploring creative approaches to improvisation. When he is not busy with his musical career, Chris loves to spend time outside hiking, running, and skiing, and frequently participates in SGI-USA activities.

Formación

Bachelor of Music: New England Conservatory of Music | Jazz Performance, Saxophone | May 2023
Master of Music: Manhattan School of Music | Jazz Performance, Saxophone | May 2025

Experiencia / Calificaciones

TEACHING EXPERIENCE (Over 8 years)
Private Lessons:
- Saxophone (alto, tenor, bari, soprano), clarinet, and flute (jazz and classical); improvisation, composition, and music theory/ear training. In person and via Zoom | September 2017 – present

NYO Jazz Saxophone Audition Adjudicator:
- Adjudicating high school auditions on alto, tenor, and baritone saxophone (including doubles) | January 2025 – present

Manhattan School of Music WHEELS Afterschool Outreach Program:
- Individual and group lessons separated by instrument (clarinet, alto saxophone) | December 2024 – March 2025

Carnegie Hall LinkUp Program – The Orchestra Swings:
- Outreach performances at Carnegie Hall for NYCPS | teaching fundamentals of jazz music | May – June 2024

Manhattan School of Music Community Impact (CCRCI) Performances:
- Spring 2024 | saxophone, clarinet, improvisation

Community Performance and Partnerships Fellowship Ensemble (NEC):
- Outreach-based performances at community centers and elementary/middle schools in the Boston area, aimed at connecting with the audience through music | January 2022 – May 2022

University of Montana Jazz Festival Masterclass:
- Masterclass on woodwind doubling presented via Zoom to the saxophone studio of University of Montana | 19 March 2021

NYO-U Mini-Masterclass:
- Ear Training for Improvisation | July 2018

Ashley Elementary School Afterschool Arts Outreach:
- Individual and group lessons separated by instrument (clarinet, flute, alto saxophone) | September 2017 – May 2019 | Denver, CO

Edad

Niños (7-12 años)

Adolescentes (13-17 años)

Adultos (18-64 años)

Tercera edad (65+ años)

Nivel del estudiante

Principiante

Intermedio

Avanzado

Duración

30 minutos

45 minutos

60 minutos

90 minutos

La clase se imparte en

inglés

Habilidades

Saxofón (saxófono)

Clarinete

Flauta

Disponibilidad en una semana típica.

(GMT -05:00)

Nueva York

En el domicilio del profesor y online

Clases en el domicilio del estudiante

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

00-04

04-08

08-12

12-16

16-20

20-24

Alberto

5.0

(1)

Hello! My name is Alberto. I am a clarinet player who graduated from Codarts University of the Arts (Rotterdam). I am specialized in Classical Music, though I can teach also Jazz in a beginner to intermediate level.

I have always had a deep interest in chamber music, teaching and improvisation and I would like to be able to show you this passion.
The focus of my lessons is to show the possibilities of music, adapting to the student needs, going from clarinet technique to theory, other styles of music such us Klezmer, Jazz, basic piano, as well as learning how to play the bass clarinet.
But the most important thing is to find a path for each student, so do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions and feel free to share your thoughts, I can adapt to your personal goals!

Marco

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(1)

Apprenez à jouer de la flûte japonaise. Le Shinobue avec Marco.
Sen Suisse du 13 janvier au 25 janvier.

Learn to play the Fue/Shinobue, or improve your sound, with Marco en Suisse
Learn to play the Shinobue/ Fue.
Book also available to learn with original songs and more.
Learn at different levels: Beginner, Intermediate and advanced. Learn to better your sound and to discover different techniques. All levels will benefit from the lessons.

Santi

5.0

(1)

Hello! I am a clarinetist who graduated from the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp. I offer private ONLINE lessons. For beginners, intermediate and advanced students. Experience teaching for the past 8 years, with children and adults, individual and group lessons. With professional projection or amateur.

If you want to go to a conservatory, I can also help you with my experience preparing for the auditions.

If you want to improve your skills as a musician and have fun with your instrument, this is probably the place for you. Do you want to prepare an audition, to be more flexible playing chamber music, or just having fun playing a jazz standard?

I would like to offer to share my knowledge and help you with any questions and concerns you may have about classical music and other styles.

Glenda

5.0

(1)

Clarinet classes, music reading classes.
I have more than 10 years of experience as a clarinet teacher with students from an early age and with no previous musical knowledge. I also give musical initiation classes to children from 4 years old, for them I like fun classes where they learn by playing, dancing and singing.

Garantía del Buen Profesor

Contactar con Chris