• Undergrad:

  West Chester University of Pennsylvania

• Grad 1:

  Masters, Univ. of Nevada Reno

• Grad 2:

  Coursework, Harry Stover

• Tutors Out Of:

  Reno, NV

• Travel Radius:

  25 miles

• Tutoring Certifications:

  American history - composition (music) - ear training - European history - French - general music - music history - music theory - religion - sight singing - songwriting - theatre - trombone - trumpet - vocabulary - voice (music) - writing

• Tutor's Fee Per Hour:

  $36.00 * with a 10% discount after purchasing $360

I hold a Master's in Music Composition from UNR.

I make sure that a student fully understands a concept before moving on to the next level-education on any level is a process of layering on of levels of understanding. I do not believe in memorizing facts, testing and then forgetting. I feel that the best learning is that which becomes internalized and becomes part of a student's everyday life. Just as the student has the right to expect much from the teacher, so it is that I maintain the right to expect much from the student. To that end, I will introduce a concept from as many different approaches as needed until I am satisfied that the student has made the teaching his own.

I'm a Minister of Music for the Reno Church of Religious Science where I conduct the choir and write most of the music.

I played tuba/trombone & french horn professionally in all the Reno, Tahoe showrooms when they were at their peak. I backed such stars as Sammy Davis, Jr., Dean Martin, Jack Benny, Debbie Reynolds, Pearl Bailey, Louie Bellson, Doc Severenson, Donald O'Conner, Petula Clark, Shirley Bassey, George Burns, Robert Goulet, Tom Jones, Englebert Humperdink, Julie Andrews, Shirley McClain, & Linda Carter to name just a few.

When I teach voice, I do not teach styles. I work on good voice production, proper diction, proper placement and natural vocal mechanics to insure the singer doesn't burn out in a few years like so many of the present crop of performers. I help the student achieve an instrument, then they can develop a style. If they are with me long enough, I can also give them good microphone technique and how to develop stage presence.


I'm a published choral/instrumental composer.

I still sing professionally in selected area venues.

I produce vocal/instrumental CD's in my own digital studio

I have taught university level courses in Music History, Music Theory, Music Fundamentals, Sight Singing, Voice.

While singing Opera & Musical Comedy, I gained a strong background in French, Spanish, German, Italian and some Russian.

I have continued my studies specializing in World History, Metaphysics, Language and World Music.

I'm computer literate on both PC and Mac platforms and can teach Music using both writing and sequencing software.

I authored a workbook in Music Fundamentals.

I wrote Opera reviews for the Sparks Tribune for two seasons.

I was a classical music host for 3 years at KUNR-FM.

Email this tutor in Reno, NV!

• composition (music)

  Publications available on request

• ear training

  I can set up an interview with members of my choir.

• general music

  Taught certified general music at the Elementary level for 6 years

• music history

  taught Music History I, II, & III at college level for 15 years

• music theory

  Taught Music Theory I, II III, IV and advanced theory for 20 years.

• religion

  I am a licensed Minister of Religious Science acting as Minister of Music for the Reno Church of Religious Science, 501 W. First Street, Reno,NV 89503. Throughout my life I have studied the various cultures of the world and their varied approaches to man's place in the metaphysical world of the spirit. The curious thing is, that once one peels away the practices and ritual of the many observances, the more the same message comes through. Though I have pursued an individual choice for my personal path to enlightenment, I have great respect and admiration for the choices that others may make. I have enjoyed lively discussions with men and women of most of the world's great religions and found the differing views an intensely enriching experience. I approach the study of religion as a tutor from a metaphysical standpoint. I would not presume to espouse any single belief structure on anyone, nor will I negate anyone else's personal belief. I expect the same respect and intellectual freedom from my students.

• sight singing

  I teach sight singing on an ongoing basis to my choir. Interviews can be set up as needed.

• songwriting

  I'm a published songwriter/arranger. I taught songwriting for two years a TMCC.

• theatre

  I have extensive experience on the stage, in drama, musical comedy and opera. I played the role of Devil's Advocate in The Lark, The Judge in The Devil and Daniel Webster. I've played lead roles in Damn Yankees, West Side Story, Oklahoma, Carousel, The Sound of Music, Kismet, Fiddler on the Roof, Finian's Rainbow, and A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum. I've also sung lead roles in Il Trovatore, I Pagliacci, Carmen, La Boheme, The Medium, Gallantry, and Robin Hood. As I played those varied roles I paid attention to the attendant stagecraft, direction, lighting, sound and building of a character. I was never content to parrot the words and go through the motions. I needed to know the mechanics and motivations of my character and the various levels of interplay with the rest of the cast to better move the story along and have a greater impact on the audience. I once took the role of a mute in order to study with a marvelous drama coach who worked with the Philadelphia Lyric Opera. I learned to project emotion using body language, and facial expression which broadened the scope of my acting and singing in later years. All this led me to study the timing, movement, voice modulation, and delivery of the best of the best in theater, film, and musical performance to better hone my craft. In short, I learned how to learn. I've never stopped.

• trombone

  I have played trombone & tuba professionally for 30 years in all major showrooms in this area & played in the Warren Covington orchestra, Les & Larry Elgart Band, Stubby Pastor's Band, Johnnie Scat Davis Orchestra, The Reno Philharmonic, and the Fort Smith Symphony.

• trumpet

  I taught beginning trumpet for 5 years in the Douglas County Schools, & Clark County Schools.

• voice (music)

  I have taught selected students for the past 20 years. I can demonstrate my own ability developed on opera, musical comedy, and pop stages.