EDUCATION

LET’S TALK ABOUT MARIMBA

LESSONS: One-on-one marimba lessons

Wanna talk improv, marimba, and creativity? Wanna try something new on a generally boxed-in instrument? Take a lesson with me in person or over zoom and we will talk all things marimba and beyond, plus we can take a look at music you are working on, or set up some new practice routines.

MASTERCLASS & CLINIC: “Improvisation & the marimba”

Improvisation is a generally skipped-over conversation for most music students. Whether you have a group of middle or high school band students, or a studio of percussion majors, this one-off masterclass presents the educational and artistic benefits of musical improvisation to your class. We’ll also peek at why the art of improvisation has been lost on the modern marimba, despite its origins. I’ll give your students their first steps to exploring improvisation on the marimba using the tools they already have. This class specifically focuses on the marimba as an improvising & accompanying member of an ensemble.

Questions addressed are: How should we voice chords on the marimba? How do we manage 4 mallets? How can improvisation help me become a better musician? How do you get started?

Participants will leave with ready-to-implement exercises to help them get starting with incorporating more improvisation into their musical routine and artistic path.

I will also perform some of my compositions, all of which incorporate improvisation.

GUEST ARTIST/COMPOSER

Have your students work alongside a performing/recording artist and composer by programming my compositions on their next recital. My library includes works for solo marimbist, marimba/vibes duo, and marimba concerto with percussion ensemble. You students can either perform alongside with me, or I can workshop my pieces in rehearsals with them. Working directly with the artist and/or composer gives your students a firsthand look into the life of a working musician/composer, and opens up valuable conversations about artistic paths, life after school, music industry, practice habits, and more.

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

Invite me into your students educational program for an extended period for regular lessons, masterclasses, and performances. Let’s change the way they think about their creativity.