While I spent the first 20 years of my life immersed in left-brain style classical music, I’ve spent the last 20 years performing in improvisational blues, funk, world music and jazz fusion. I am very comfortable with teaching both beginners as well as more advanced students and will create a program of learning that will be specialized to the kind of music that you wish to learn. Reading, theory, ear-training, technique, and improvisation are all part of the package. All ages welcome.
Exactly the teacher I was looking for!”
Don Weaver (September 24, 2009)
I had not played saxophone for over 30 years when I started looking for a teacher to help me develop my tone and improvisational skills. I feel lucky to have found Tracy. Within the first minutes, she spotted something about my embouchure that my earlier teachers had either missed or not bothered to mention and the improvement in my sound was immediate. Over the course of the summer, Tracy presented a series of approaches to improvisation in ways that were easy to understand and made lots of sense. I think she’s intuitive about and sensitive to the learning styles of her students and a very fine teacher. I would unreservedly recommend her to anyone.
“Tracy’s really great!”
Hattie Vogel (May 18, 2009)
My two boys (9 and 11) really like Tracy. One plays the clarinet, the other a saxophone. As a parent, it is important to me that they want to go to their lessons and learn more. They have made great progress and I credit Tracy with making this happen. She is enthusiastic and fun. We love her!
“Tracy rocks!”
Michelle Bates (April 12, 2009)
Seeing other good reviews for Tracy, I went to her from the start – as in, “How do you put this thing together?” She’s a fantastic teacher, covering all the bases: technique, tone, rhythm, music theory, even in a variety of music genres (little by little introducing obscure things like the Phrygian mode, etc, etc…). Also, she’s very responsive to where I’m at, and what I’m interested in learning. Super fun!
“She’s simply the best!”
Donald Sprague (December 30, 2008)
For most of my life I’ve been a “legit” trumpet player, playing in bands and orchestras. Last year, at the age of 63, I retired my trumpets in favor of the more mellow clarinet/sax (my condo neighbors were very thankful). As a believer in private lessons I went searching for a teacher and eventually began studying with Tracy. At my age I’ve had a good many private music teachers, including a principal for a big city symphony. While they all contributed to my music education, Tracy is easily the best private music teacher with whom I’ve worked. While a portion of each lesson is spent on technique, she spends an equal amount of time on music/jazz theory. She has caused me to listen and play music in completely different way. Over the years I’d forgotten that music, while always requiring dedication and work, should be fun. Tracy has rekindled my joy for playing; I’ll be forever grateful.
“Tracy’s the best!”
John Weeks (September 5, 2008)
Tracy has been the sax teacher of our daughter Roz Weeks – 13 this month – for the last 2+ years – both soprano sax, her original instrument, and baritone, which he school band teacher wanted her to play. My spouse Jeana and I have continuously been struck by how engaged and excited Roz has been – learning a lot and enjoying her time with Tracy very much. Tracy’s rich experience as a player infuses the teaching. The vision of the temple always seems to be in the room – Roz is never just laying bricks without know what she is building. Meantime, Tracy has Roz working her building blocks of scales and composition while also setting her up with CDs so that she can come home and “play with the guys.” We couldn’t have asked for more. It’s been a great experience for Roz.
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