Private Lesson Information
Much of the individual success in the Adams Band program will be attributed to our private lesson program. Private lessons are one on one lessons offered before school, after school, and during band class once per week. Unlike tutoring, private lessons are not just for those who may be struggling. Private lessons are for every band student, and all are encouraged to enroll. Due to time and the number of students we are not able to give each student as much individual instruction as we would like. Private lesson instructors are able to meet with your student and design a program that meets their needs, allowing them to progress at their own rate of ability. Students who may be struggling will receive additional instruction to help improve, and intermediate to advanced ability players will receive additional instruction to further advance and remain challenged outside of class.
Our private lesson teachers are selected by the directors and have completed NISD required background checks. Private lesson staff are degreed educators and professional instrumentalists who work closely with the directors to help each student progress. Private lessons are $22 per lesson and are payable to the individual private teacher. Financial assistance may be available for families who qualify.
To enroll in private lessons, please click HERE.
Meet our Private Instruction Staff
Julie Convery, Flute
Julie Convery has performed and taught in the Dallas area for over 25 years. She completed a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance from Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX and a Masters of Music Education specializing in flute pedagogy from the University of North Texas. She has been a private instructor and clinician in many school districts, including Lewisville, DeSoto, Cedar Hill, and Northwest ISD. Her students routinely earn places in middle school and high school All-District, All-Region and All-State bands. Julie currently performs with the Allen Philharmonic Orchestra and the Rosewind Ensemble, and freelances throughout the Dallas area.
convery.julie@gmail.com
Ryan Estes, Oboe
Mr. Estes is second oboist with the Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra and currently performs regularly with the Texarkana andMarshall Symphonies. As an active freelance musician he performs with many different orchestras and other ensembles across the state of Texas. He is the current oboe professor at Texas Wesleyan and he maintains a small private studio in the Fort Worth area where his students have gone on to study at universities such as Oberlin, TCU, and SMU
Dr. Jorge Cruz, Bassoon
Dr. Jorge Cruz currently serves as Visiting Lecturer of Bassoon at the University of North Texas. Prior to this appointment, he served as Adjunct Professor of Bassoon at UNT, Richland College, and Chabot College.
Jorge is the principal bassoonist of the Texarkana Symphony Orchestra and second bassoonist/contrabassoonist of the Abilene Philharmonic. He also regularly performs with the Dallas Opera Orchestra and the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, Jorge’s serves as bassoonist/saxophonist with the Air National Guard Band of the Southwest, historically known as the 531st Air Force Band, a position he has held since 2001.
Jorge completed his Doctor of Musical Musical Arts degree from the University of North Texas in 2017. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from San Jose State University and a Master of Music degree from the University of North Texas. His primary teachers are Kathleen Reynolds, Jerry Dagg, and Cyrle Perry.
Grace Frarey, Clarinet/ Woodwinds
Originally from Rochester, New York Grace Frarey is an up-and-coming jazz musician and educator. She holds Bachelor’s Degrees in Applied Jazz Saxophone and Music Teaching and Learning from the Eastman School of Music. While studying with renowned woodwind specialist Charles Pillow Grace learned the nuances of the flute and clarinet. She is now based in Denton, Texas where she is the Assistant Program Director of the Institute for Creative Music. Using methods that she studied with Dr. Christopher Azzara Grace enjoys teaching and learning alongside all of her students.
gmfrarey@gmail.com
Tanner Deters, Saxophone
Tanner Deters is a DFW based jazz saxophonist and educator who draws on a multitude of musical influences to round out his artistry. Tanner brings over 10 years of saxophone experience to his performances and his students; as a performer he raps and plays saxophone, and as an educator he is passionate about guiding students to follow their own musical curiosities.During his time at the University of North Texas Tanner was a member of the Two O’Clock Lab Band. Outside of academia, he is the regular lead alto in Buddy’s Big Band, a big band performing monthly in Ft. Worth. He also plays saxophone and raps in the group Luna Sol, a Dallas based hip-hop/fusion group.Tanner has experience as a Saxophone Teaching Fellow at UNT, and he teaches jazz saxophone lessons at the beginner, the intermediate, and the collegiate level. In addition to lessons, Tanner also conducted and directed the Six O’Clock Lab Band, one of the 8 big bands at UNT. As a DFW area high school graduate, he has first-hand experience in the various TMEA activities that his students participate in, including the all-region/all-state and solo and ensemble processes.Tanner graduated from Southlake Carroll Senior High School in 2014. He proceeded to earn his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas in 2018. Tanner graduated with a Master of Music in Jazz Performance at the University of North Texas studying under Brad Leali in Spring 2020.
Darin Northam, Trumpet
Darin Northam has a Bachelor’s of Music degree in Music Education from the University of North Texas in Denton. He has been performing and teaching for over 20 years. Darin currently teaches trumpet and brass for Northwest ISD, Lake Country Christian School and Bethesda Christian School, and has helped multiple students achieve positions in District, Region and State bands.
Lester Rushin, Percussion
Lester Rushin is a percussionist and music educator from Colleyville, TX. He completed his bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Texas Christian University where he studied with Dr. Brian West, Joey Carter and Jeffrey Hodge. During his time at TCU, he has performed with the internationally recognized TCU Percussion Orchestra, Percussion Ensembles, TCU symphonic band, string orchestra, marching band and both steel band ensembles.
Lester was a member of Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps front ensemble in 2018 and a cast member for finalist group Vigilantly Indoor Percussion on Xylophone/glockenspiel in 2022. He is an experienced teacher who has taught numerous high schools around the entire DFW metroplex.
He currently works as a front ensemble technician for Arlington Heights high school. Lester is excited to have this opportunity to work in Northwest ISD.
Lesterrushin@gmail.com
Jack Courtright, Trombone
Originally from Burnsville, MN, trombonist Jack Courtright holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music and the University of North Texas. Jack has been the winner of the International Trombone Festival’s JJ Johnson and Carl Fontana competitions, the American Trombone Workshop’s National Solo Jazz Trombone Competition, and the UNT/BAC International Jazz Trombone Competition. Under Jack’s direction, UNT’s trombone ensemble, the U-Tubes were the winners of the 2021 Kai Winding International Jazz Trombone Ensemble Competition. An avid composer and arranger, Jack’s works for big band and trombone ensemble are performed by high school, collegiate and professional groups across the U.S.
jackson.courtright@gmail.com
Ron Von Dreau, Low Brass
Ron currently holds a Bachelors degree in Music Performance from Eastman School Of Music where he was a member of the Eastman Wind Ensemble. He holds a Masters Degree in Performance from University of Colorado, Boulder. While attending CU Ron was a member of the University’s Wind Ensemble which was honored with a performance at the 1995 WASBE Convention in Hamamatsu, Japan. Principle instructors include Patrick Sheridan, J. Samuel Pilafian, Michael Allen, Cherry Beauregard, Donald Hary, and Donald Stanley.
In the past, Ron has held positions in Centennial Orchestra, Boulder Philharmonic, and several Brass Quintets throughout the US. Most notably, Ron was a founding member of the Newcastle Brass Quintet, which was a featured artist on the University of North Texas Wind Symphony’s recording Convergence. After relocating to Texas in the summer of 1998, Ron became a sought-after clinician, adjudicator, and instructor of low brass. He maintained a private lesson studio in several school districts including Lewisville ISD, Duncanville ISD, Denton ISD and Argyle ISD. In 2002, he became Adjunct Instructor of Tuba and Euphonium at Oklahoma City University’s Wanda L. Bass School of Music. During his time at OCU, Ron taught applied tuba and euphonium, coached several brass quintets, conducted the OCU Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble, and taught the university’s brass methods class. Ron was also the adjunct instructor of tuba at Southern Nazarene University from 2003-2006. Ron has spent summers instructing programs throughout the U.S. including Western State University’s Chamber Music Institute in Colorado, Rappahannock Summer Music Camp in Fredericksburg, Virginia, Encore Music Camp of Pennsylvania and OCU’s Summer Brass Camp.
ronvond@aol.com
Taylor Davis, Percussion
Percussionist Taylor Davis serves as Adjunct Professor of Percussion at Texas Woman’s University and principal timpanist of the Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra. He previously served as the Assistant Percussion Director at Flower Mound HS from 2019 to 2023. His private students have been accepted to institutions such as the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, the University of Michigan, Baylor University, and more. His students also see success in a variety of musical situations, from winning the Great Plains International Marimba Competition to placing in the TMEA All-State Bands and Orchestras. Taylor completed his Master of Music in Percussion Performance at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, Maryland, with renowned teacher Robert van Sice. He completed his undergraduate studies with Todd Meehan and Ivan Trevino at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, graduating with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education. He serves on the Percussive Arts Society Education Committee and is a proud endorser of Black Swamp Percussion, Vic Firth, and Zildjian Cymbals.
ztmdavis1@gmail.com