Chris Thomas

The trumpet is one of the most versatile instruments out there. From becoming a rock solid band or orchestra musician, excelling as a classical soloist, prepping college or honor band audition material, jazz improvisation, lead and section playing in jazz band, needing help with you marching or pep band music, instrument cleaning and maintenance, or anything else trumpet related, I've got you covered.

To get you there, we'll work on making playing the trumpet easy, so that your tone is beautiful and you never have to stress about getting the notes to come out. Then we'll work on technique, so new music is within your wheelhouse. Lastly, I'll pile on all the music you can handle to help you meet your goals.

What else? I'll find you playing opportunities, help you research and navigate audition and other deadlines, and coach you on the leadership skills you'll need to help your ensembles excel. I love this stuff, and am honored to help my students discover the joys of playing the trumpet better and better.

When I was young, I assumed I would become an architect, but as college grew near, I started to think I might become a psychologist. After taking a few academic music classes as a freshmen in college, I was hooked, and in retrospect, I can see that life as a music teacher strangely is equal parts design and construction, and human interaction studies. I love dreaming up programs that best support students of all interest levels as much as I love helping students grow as young people, musicians, and community members.

Music is an AWESOME vehicle for self discovery. It's based as much in creativity as it is in discipline. You must tend to all your musical imperfections through rigorous practice, but you must perform while accepting every flaw. You've got to compete, but you have to be kind to those you compete with. In order to be original, you have to intensely study what has come before you. If you're quiet, music gives you a voice you can build confidence through, and if you're loud, it's good for you too. The contradictions are endless. I'm more fascinated and bewildered by it now than I was when I started studying it, and I can't fathom not spending my life sharing it with as many people as possible.

Wrapping up with my twelfth year teaching, I want to get deeper into teaching the joys of playing the trumpet. I am excited about this new venture, and I'm ready to get going!