Private Instruction
Though my main instrument is trumpet, I also teach beginning to intermediate level students on baritone horn, trombone and French horn. Working one on one with students over a period of months or years can be very rewarding. I have had many successful students, beginners of all ages through advanced adults. Some have performed with school groups, Youth Orchestras and honor groups. I’ve taught many adult students who enjoy performing with local community bands and orchestras. I have had several young students go on to start their own careers as professional musicians. References are gladly given upon request.

Students are given a weekly assignment based on individual needs and aspirations. I believe in a balanced approach to musical development. The basic skills of good tone production, solid technique and accurate music reading are only part of learning to play an instrument. I encourage students to listen critically and understand the complex process of musical growth. My goal is to help my students to perform with confidence and musical expression.

Specific skills we work on are tone production, tonging, range expansion, flexibility, scales and technical studies, music reading, interpretation of different musical genres, music theory, and improvisation. Advanced students work on orchestral excerpts, transposition, standard solo literature and audition preparation.

I encourage students to bring to their lessons any school music or other performance material with which they would like help.

Most importantly I want my students to enjoy making music.

Teaching Locations:
At my home studio space in Novato.

Via Zoom, on line lessons by appointment.

In student homes (see below)

Rates
Most students take lessons every week. Arrangements may be made for lessons every other week if space is available. I can give discounts to serious students based on financial need. There are also a limited number of scholarships available through several nonprofit organizations in Marin.

30 minute lessons (beginner) $40.00
45 minute lesson (intermediate) $60.00
60 minute lesson (advanced) $80.00

Travel to student’s home: add $25.00 per lesson

Cancellation Policy
Cancellation one or more weeks in advance: no charge
Cancellation with at least 48 hours notice: half normal lesson fee.
Less than 48 hours notice: regular lesson rate.
exceptions are made for sudden illness or emergency.

I am also available as a solo artist, to present clinics, conducting, coaching sessions and master classes.

For more information please contact me at mark@hearandnowaudio.com or call 415-596-1741

Experience
I retired from a twenty four year career as a full time music teacher in California in June of 2010. I was the Band Director at Hercules Middle/High school in Hercules, California until budget cuts to music in 2008. From 2010 to 2022 I taught 4th and 5th grade instrumental music part time in the Albany, CA public schools. I have also taught in public and private schools in San Francisco, Portola Valley, Antioch, West Contra Costa, and Marin. I have taught hundreds of students privately and thousands in group lessons in public and private schools throughout my career. I have also been a brass coach for the Marin and Napa Valley Symphony Youth Orchestras.