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
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ETSU Community Music School
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Private lesson programs offered directly through the ETSU Department of Music
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Lessons offered on the following instruments: Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Oboe, Bassoon, Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium, and Tuba
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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:
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Mrs. Suzanne Grzych
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Holds B.M. in Flute Performance from Eastern Illinois University
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423-946-3467
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Ms. Heidi Ehle
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Trained in Suzuki Method/First Lesson is Free!
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423-440-1179
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Dr. Roya Farzaneh
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Holds a D.M.A. in Flute Performance from the University of South Carolina
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Oboe:
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Ms. Kaylyn Shearer
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412-953-0276​​
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Clarinet:
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Mrs. Sara Casey
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B.M. in Instrumental Music Education from Stephen F. Austin State University
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saracasey08@gmail.com​​
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903-220-8930
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Mrs. Melanie Prusha (Currently Not Taking New Students)
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Former Band Director at Dobyns-Bennett High School
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423-306-1967
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Mr. Cory Seguin (Currently Not Taking New Students)
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Holds a M.M. in Clarinet Performance from Austin Peay State University
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423-863-1083
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Mr. Chris Lockhart
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Holds B.M. in Music Education from ETSU
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423-361-5473
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Ms. Riley Keene​
Saxophone:
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Mr. Chris Lockhart
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Holds B.M. in Music Education from ETSU
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423-361-5473
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Mr. David Lester
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Holds B.M. in Music Education from ETSU
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423-863-3409
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Mrs. Stacia Howard
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Holds B.M. in Music Education from UT - Knoxvville​
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423-817-0488
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Bassoon:
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Ms. Miranda Macias
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Holds a M.M. in Bassoon Performance from the New England Conservatory
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214-534-6454​​
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Trumpet:
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Dr. Brett Long
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Holds D.M.A. in Trumpet Performance from the Eastman School of Music
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585-520-3380
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Mr. Chris McDonald
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Holds Bachelors of Music degree from Carson-Newman University​
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Mr. Doug Shaffer
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Holds M.M. in Jazz Performance from Temple University​
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Mr. Kelly Scollin
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Holds Masters in Trumpet Performance from University of Denver​
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720-362-0343​​
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Mr. Al Doty
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Holds B.M. in Music Education from ETSU
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423-335-4037
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Ms. Avery Polk​
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polkae@mail.etsu.edu​​
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French Horn:
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Ms. Elizabeth Simmons
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Holds M.M. in French Horn Performance from the Eastman School of Music
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423-946-0153
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ersimmons95@gmail.com​​​​
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Trombone:
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Ms. Em. Poff​
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Holds Bachelors of Music and Masters in Education from ETSU
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276-393-1221
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Mr. Alex McMurray​
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Holds B.M. in Music Education from ETSU
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(423) 620-3016​​​​
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Mr. Aaron Hurley
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Holds B.M. in Euphonium Performance from ETSU
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423-737-7248
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Baritone/Euphonium:
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Mr. Aaron Hurley
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Holds B.M. in Euphonium Performance from ETSU
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423-737-7248
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Mr. Evan Edwards
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Principal Tubist with Johnson City Symphony
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Mr. Damien Kincheloe​
Tuba:​
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Mr. Evan Edwards
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Principal Tubist with Johnson City Symphony
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Mr. Charlie Stroud​
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Mr. Aaron Hurley
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Holds B.M. in Euphonium Performance from ETSU
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423-737-7248
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Percussion:
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Dr. Diana Loomer
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Holds D.M.A. in Percussion Performance from the University of Texas at Austin; Adjunct Faculty at Appalachian State University
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loomerdiana@gmail.com​​
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Jazz:
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Saxophone - Dr. Brian Rodesch
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Holds D.M.A. in Saxophone Performance and Jazz Pedagogy from the University of Northern Colorado​
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Trumpet and Trombone - Mr. Doug Shaffer
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Holds M.M. in Jazz Performance from Temple University​
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Guitar - Mr. James West
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Holds M.M. in Guitar Performance from Appalachian State University​
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Bass - Mr. Jakeb Hardin
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Commericial Music Performance Major at ETSU​
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423-833-8096
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Piano/Drumset - Dr. Jason DiCristofaro​​​
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Holds D.M.A. in Jazz Performance from Boston University​
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