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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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  • Dr. Roya Farzaneh 

    • Holds a D.M.A. in Flute Performance from the University of South Carolina

    • farzaneh@etsu.edu

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Oboe:

 

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Clarinet:

 

  • Mrs. Melanie Prusha

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  • Mr. Cory Seguin

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

    • 423-863-1083

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  • Mr. Chris Lockhart

    • Holds B.M. in Music Education from ETSU

    • 423-361-5473

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Saxophone:

 

  • Mr. David Lester

    • Holds B.M. in Music Education from ETSU/President of Music Doctors Inc.

    • 423-863-3409

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  • Mr. Chris Lockhart

    • Holds B.M. in Music Education from ETSU

    • 423-361-5473

 

Bassoon:

 

  • Ms. Rosalind Buda

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

    • 319-594-1864

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Trumpet:

 

  • Dr. Brett Long *Currently at capacity and not accepting 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. Sloan Hill

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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

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  • Dr. Elliott Stranger

    • Holds a D.M.A. in Horn Performance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro

    • 630-430-3755​

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  • Mr. Jackson Whedbee​​​

    • 865-724-3981

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  • Ms. Sarah Stacy​​

    • 276-591-7046

 

Trombone:

 

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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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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

    • 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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