Matt D. TakeLessons Instructor Music, Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute Gerald Ave, Granada Hills, CA

Hi! I'm a student at California State University Northridge majoring in Jazz Studies where I played in the amazing CSUN Jazz A Band my freshman year. When I was younger, I had the wonderful experience of playing with the SCSBOA High School and Junior High Jazz All Stars as well as the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo All State Festival Jazz Band. I was chosen to appear as a featured young artist at Steamers Jazz Club in Fullerton, and have played at Catalina's Bar and Grill, and the Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles. I have played with the Tom Kubis Monday Night Big Band and have performed with the Cerritos Community College Jazz Band as well. I've been able to perform and compete in many festivals including the Irvine Jazz Festival, the Reno Jazz Festival, and the Monterey Next Generation Festival. I have been fortunate enough to take lessons with amazing professionals such as Billy Frenzel, Bill Liston, Jay Mason, Kirsten Edkins, Rob Lockart, and Sal Lozano.

I believe that life is a balancing act. It's hard for kids now to balance school, homework, after school sports and music all into one life. (I know because I had too!) I have a balanced and versatile style of teaching. I am laid back for the most part, but can be more stern with students who I know aren't performing up to their abilities. I can teach all different styles including jazz, classical, blues, latin and other styles. My overall goal as a teacher is to give a student all the tools they need to improve. Once they have the tools, it is their responsibility to use them. A student can be as good as he or she wants to be. It is their responsibility to practice at home and it is my job as a teacher to give them the correct things to practice. I really love teaching. It keeps me honest as a player, and it allows me to give this beautiful gift of music to another person. The ultimate satisfaction as a teacher, for me, is not teaching a child prodigy who grows up to become a famous musician, it's seeing a child's appreciation and respect for music grow; because once you love music, you're hooked for life.

Jazz, Classical, Latin, Rock, Blues, Pop

Music, Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute