The Black Tree School

Part of my role as a teacher is to function like a personal trainer would, training and coaching you to get in the best possible shape you can to become a more musical and creative person. I begin with diagnosis of your different skill sets, natural and unnatural strengths, rhythmic sensitivity, ear training, cognitive and neurological skills, creative intuition, motor coordination. These are the small tools that make up the larger and more complicated act of actually playing an instrument, playing with others, and successfully communicating something with music.

My own personal teaching style is based on a combination of all the things Ive gathered and learned from all my teachers, professors, mentors and heroes, the workshops Ive attended, clinics and research and readings Ive sought out and books Ive read. Ive taken the best of Classical, Jazz, Folk and Ethnic teaching traditions and approaches and integrated ideas from Western Philosophy, Zen Buddhism, Tai Chi, Boxing, The Artists Way, The Suzuki Method, Yoga, Martial Arts, Surfing and Visualization practices.