"Hello there! My name is Michael R., and I am a trombonist/arranger/educator in the PA/NJ area. I love music and I love teaching even more. In 2015, I graduated from the University of the Arts with a degree in Jazz Performance and a minor in music education. I am currently in a master's program for Music Education at University of the Arts and I am loving it. As a musician, I've had the opportunity to play at the Sydney Opera House, Carnegie Hall, all throughout Italy, and I've toured the U.S a good amount, playing in New York City, Syracuse, Rochester, Burlington, Boston, Oswego, Delaware, Washington D.C, Los Angelos, etc.

My job is nothing more then to help students discover the beauty of music and how to acquire it for themselves. I always try to acknowledge to every student that even if they try their hardest and get stuck, its okay because it is more about the effort being put that you grow from rather than the actual performance or lesson. I like to set expectations for my students based on their individualized growth and development as musicians.

My experience as an educator is from just teaching private lessons and running jazz combos for the past 5 years. I have always felt that being a well trained musician is the most importatnt part about being a teacher. You need to be well versed at your craft to convey what you want to your students. This is the preparation all teachers should hold themselves to. Personally, I play regularly with groups such as: EBE Barcelona, Swift Technique, The Phonies, Whoaphat BrassBand, etc. I also perform with my own original jazz group in the Philadelphia/South Jersey area. I also write quite a bit which keeps me busy. I think teaching is what motivates me to do all this, so that I can be the best teacher I possibly can!

On a more personal note, I am not the most high energy teacher. I don't yell or get mad. I am calm and I really just try to accomplish as much as I can in a lesson. Sure, we can have fun but I have a lot to offer and sometimes it just feels like a" less...