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Private Lessons

Private Lessons are one on one practice sessions between your child and a specialist on their instrument.  While each band director strives to supply each child with a high frequency of individualized feedback for improvement and growth, this is often a challenge due to the 150 students in the band and only 3 directors (50:1 ratio). As such, private instruction is a great way for students gain additional feedback on their performance and at a pace that is just right for them - Speed up or slow down!  Private Lessons are NOT REQUIRED, but highly encouraged! While students can certainly be very successful without private lessons, students that are engaged in private instruction tend to progress at faster rates and tend to earn spots at the top of their sections and in regional honor bands. 

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*Please Note - Private Lessons take place after-school hours.

Fee's and scheduling are set at the discretion of the private instructors.

Johnson City Schools Band Program - Preferred Private Instructor List

 

  • ETSU Community Music School 

    • Private lesson programs offered directly through the ETSU Department of Music

    • Lessons offered on the following instruments: Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Oboe, Bassoon, Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium, and Tuba

    • Students must apply to be admitted. Use the following link to apply: https://www.etsu.edu/cas/music/community-music-school/

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The following instructors provide lessons OUTSIDE of the ETSU Community Music School and have been specifically recruited to work with Johnson City Schools Band Students. The following individuals are all highly-qualified and would be great fits for any student!
 

Flute:

 

  • Mrs. Suzanne Grzych

    • Holds B.M. in Flute Performance from Eastern Illinois University

    • 423-946-3467

    • slgrzych@aol.com​​

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  • Ms. Kathy Stephenson 

    • 904-866-7844

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Oboe:

 

  • Ms. Kaylyn Shearer

    • Masters in Oboe Performance from Duquesne University

    • 412-953-0276​​

 

Clarinet:

 

  • Mrs. Sara Casey

    • B.M. in Instrumental Music Education from Stephen F. Austin State University

    • saracasey08@gmail.com​​

    • 903-220-8930

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  • Mrs. Melanie Prusha (Currently Not Taking New Students)

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  • Mr. Cory Seguin (Currently Not Taking New Students)

    • Holds a M.M. in Clarinet Performance from Austin Peay State University

    • 423-863-1083

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  • Mr. Chris Lockhart (Currently Not Taking New Students)

    • Holds B.M. in Music Education from ETSU

    • 423-361-5473

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Saxophone:

 

  • Mr. Brayden Gilliam

    • Holds B.M. in Music Education from ETSU​

    • 276-594-5752

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  • Mr. Chris Lockhart (Currently Not Taking New Students)

    • Holds B.M. in Music Education from ETSU

    • 423-361-5473

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  • Mr. David Lester

    • Holds B.M. in Music Education from ETSU

    • 423-863-3409

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  • Mrs. Stacia Howard

 

Bassoon:

 

  • Ms. Miranda Macias

    • Holds a M.M. in Bassoon Performance from the New England Conservatory

    • 214-534-6454​​

    • mirandamrm@gmail.com

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Trumpet:

 

  • Dr. Brett Long (Currently Not Taking New Students)

    • Holds D.M.A. in Trumpet Performance from the Eastman School of Music

    • 585-520-3380

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  • Mr. Chris McDonald

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  • Mr. McKinley Casasola

    • B.M. in Trumpet Performance from ETSU​

    • 423-732-4427

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  • Mr. Kelly Scollin

    • Holds Masters in Trumpet Performance from University of Denver​

    • 720-362-0343​​

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French Horn:

 

  • Ms. Elizabeth Simmons

    • Holds M.M. in French Horn Performance from the Eastman School of Music

    • 423-946-0153

    • ersimmons95@gmail.com​​​​

 

Trombone:

 

  • Ms. Em. Poff​

    • Holds Bachelors of Music and Masters in Education from ETSU

    • 276-393-1221

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  • Mr. Alex McMurray​

    • Holds B.M. in Music Education from ETSU

    • (423) 620-3016​​​​

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  • Mr. Aaron Hurley

    • Holds B.M. in Euphonium Performance from ETSU

    • 423-737-7248

 

Baritone/Euphonium:

 

  • Mr. Aaron Hurley

    • Holds B.M. in Euphonium Performance from ETSU

    • 423-737-7248

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  • Mr. Evan Edwards

    • Principal Tubist with Johnson City Symphony 

    • 423-367-9621

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Tuba:​

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  • Mr. Evan Edwards

    • Principal Tubist with Johnson City Symphony 

    • 423-367-9621

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  • Mr. Aaron Hurley

    • Holds B.M. in Euphonium Performance from ETSU

    • 423-737-7248

 

Percussion:

 

  • Dr. Diana Loomer (Not Currently Taking New Students)

    • Holds D.M.A. in Percussion Performance from the University of Texas at Austin; Adjunct Faculty at Appalachian State University

    • loomerdiana@gmail.com​​

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  • Mr. Michael Lester​

    • Holds Masters in Percussion Peformance from Baylor University​

    • 423-782-9441

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Jazz:

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  • Saxophone - Dr. Brian Rodesch

    • Holds D.M.A. in Saxophone Performance and Jazz Pedagogy from the University of Northern Colorado​

    • RODESCH@mail.etsu.edu

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  • Guitar - Mr. James West

    • Holds M.M. in Guitar Performance from Appalachian State University​

    • westjt@etsu.edu

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  • Bass - Mr. Jakeb Hardin

    • Commericial Music Performance Major at ETSU​

    • 423-833-8096

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  • Piano/Drumset - Dr. Jason DiCristofaro​​​

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