Warren

Verified teacher profile

Hourly rate $50
Response Time 1h
Number of students 2

1^st lesson free!

Professional saxophonist with over 25 years experience instructing students of all ages, offers lessons on sax, flute, clarinet, piano, music theory, and arranging. Consider my company-Fordham Labs Mu

- Lancaster
- at his home
- at your home
- webcam

About the lesson

Personal Statement on Music Education
Warren Fordham

Many things about the field of music education motivate me, because being a music teacher/band director is very important to me. There are numerous reasons why music education is close to my heart. For instance, I believe performers, composers, and songwriters should share their craft. In my opinion, it is part of attaining complete musicianship. Of course, teaching skills are different than playing or composing skills, so my skill base is expanded by teaching. And by teaching, I can defend the art form by influencing a younger generation of musicians. For example, I would like to follow the footsteps of my high school director, Mr. Harvey.

Current research in cognitive science confirms that rich sensory input and a high level of active engagement result in broad, deep learning. Specific skills are effectively and consistently developed within the context of the rich learning environment I offer in my instrumental and digital music classes. These specific skills—the ability to perceive and create beauty, feel and express empathy, express strength of character, and display good humor and compassion—are nurtured mostly through the employment of fun improvisation exercises with accompaniments, strict adherence to music terminology, and ensemble precision.

By teaching music during the day, I assure myself involvement with conducting and the craft of music performance on a continuous basis. I can also gain the financial stability necessary to produce/finance my personal music products.

Aside from accomplishing my own goals as an educator, conductor, performer, composer, arranger, and independent producer; developing artistically conscience people is of great concern to me. We all have a natural instrument and we should learn to develop our ears by singing, whether for technical/artistic reasons or music appreciation. Everyone should sing! It is a glorious thing! I think that all children, starting from a young age, should be given the choice/opportunity to learn to play an instrument or sing in a vocal ensemble. This can help young people develop a strong sense of community by exploring the interrelationships between music and the larger culture, in a variety of time periods and subject areas. Overall, my goal is to awaken and encourage the natural musical interest in all of us and develop skills necessary for artistic appreciation and expression.

I absolutely love working with children of all ages. I have had very successful experiences working with kids age six through eighteen at summer recreation camps for seven summers, and completed two very successful years as an Instrumental Music Teacher for an Independent/Progressive School. I have taught private saxophone, flute and piano/theory lessons from ages ten to fifty, for twenty-five plus years. Most important, I have the necessary attribute of patience, an essential element of successful teaching.

Lastly, my philosophic outlook supports each student's aspirations for life, rather than distilling childhood into a competitive race to a specific college choice, vocation, or concert performance, for that matter. As the concert performances can be awesome, my mission is to guide and challenge my students so that they will emerge, through self-discovery, as sensitive, healthy, thoughtful, well-prepared citizens of the world community.

Thoughtfully,

Warren Fordham
Instrumental Music Teacher

subjects

Music Reading
Music Theory
Flute
+2

Saxophone

Clarinet

languages

English

levels

All Levels

About Warren

Education

California State University Northridge School of Arts, Media, and Communication
Completion of Music Education Subject Matter Program (December 2003)
Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts
Bachelor of Music Performance, Jazz Studies-Saxophones (May 1997)

Professional Experience

Substitute Teacher, Palmdale School District, 5/2015- 1/24/2017
As a classroom facilitator, I have supervised, mentored, and guided students through challenging subject matter in many subjects. A high percentage of students’ grades were raised. I also completed four long-term assignments.

Band Director, Christ Missionary Bible Church, September 2008 – present
I have been very successful at building a great Gospel music program at CMBC. We perform many Spirituals, old-time Gospel, as well as Contemporary styles. The congregation is very satisfied.

Instrumental Music Teacher/Mathematics Tutor, Laity Institute of the Arts, June 2009 – Oct. 2009
Mentored students and taught private piano and saxophone lessons. Students also developed a greater understanding of basic Math concepts.

Substitute Teacher, Los Angeles Unified School District, May 2007- June 2009
As a classroom facilitator, I have supervised, mentored, and guided students through challenging subject matter in several subjects. A high percentage of students’ grades were raised. I also completed three long-term assignments.

Vocal Music Teacher, October 2006 – January 2007
I greatly motivated and inspired these students, by teaching basic music theory, music appreciation, and Blues improvisation. They also learned a repertoire of songs and performed various performances.

Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA), Los Angeles, CA
Taught basic music theory, music appreciation and Blues improvisation techniques to first through fifth graders
Provided students with a repertoire of songs
Conducted various vocal performances

Middle School Instrumental and Digital Music Teacher, September 2004 – June 2006
I established a greater understanding of the art of music amongst students, parents, and colleagues by planning, rehearsing, and conducting all ensemble performances. I also introduced an electronic music class named Digital Music.

The Calhoun School, New York, NY
Planned, rehearsed, and conducted all ensemble performances
Introduced, reviewed, and consolidated beginning skills for the development of effective, creative musicians
Facilitated understanding of musical practice within historical and cultural contexts
Introduced musical concepts as a science (overtone series, natural laws of acoustics, instrument mechanisms, etc.)
Introduced basic concepts of music technology, composition, music theory, arranging, and orchestration
Incorporated specially designed music practice software and improvisation exercises
Introduced different music composition and performance styles including Rock, R&B, Folk, Classical, and Jazz
Taught private lessons on saxophone and flute
Collaborated with colleagues across departments to coordinate and integrate curriculum
Provided support and guidance to students and developed and maintained parent/teacher relationships
Composed semester reports and hosted parent/teacher conferences and weekly student advisory sessions

Private Lesson Instructor, February 1995 - Present
Teach musical concepts on woodwinds, brass, percussion, strings, guitar, and piano to individuals/groups of all ages
Educate students on musical concepts, theory, and composers Day Camp Teacher, June 2004 - September 2004
Moshulu Montefiore Community Center Day Camp, Bronx, NY
Taught reading to first and second grade students and supervised, mentored, and tracked progress
Helped students identify specific learning goals and provided positive reinforcement

Academic Tutor, January 2003 - Present
Tutor elementary school students in English language arts, reading, and mathematics
Supervise, mentor, and guide students through challenging subject matter

Music Director, January 2002 - April 2002
Celebrity Cruises International, Century cruise ship, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Music Director, June 2001 - July 2001
Renaissance Cruises, R8 cruise ship, Dover, England
Promoted from orchestra musician to musical director on both the Century and R8 cruise ships
Planned, rehearsed, and executed all orchestral performances, supervised band members, developed and improved the music program to include a variety of styles and original music arrangements

Orchestra Musician, April 2002- April 2003
Celebrity Cruises International, Constellation cruise ship, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Orchestra Musician, August 2001 – December 2001
Celebrity Cruises International, Century cruise ship, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Orchestra Musician, March 2001 - June 2001
Renaissance Cruises, R8 cruise ship, Dover, England
Performed back-up music for Broadway show performers and headliner artists
Performed Jazz dance sets throughout the vessels
Assistant Director, Studio Jazz Orchestra/Teacher’s Assistant, September 1999 - May 2000
California State University Northridge, Northridge, CA
Worked as assistant to Professor Gary Pratt, Associate Professor of Music
Completed jazz library weekly inspection and inventory reports
Conducted bi-weekly ensemble and sectional rehearsals and graduation

Teacher’s Assistant, August 1993 - May 1994
Virginia Commonwealth University Jazz Department, Richmond, VA
Worked as assistant to Professor Douglas Richards, Jazz Department Head
Submitted weekly inspection reports of jazz library, reporting equipment damage and materials needed

Performing Musician, October 1989 - Present
Performed Top 40, Rock, Folk, Dixieland, R&B, Funk, Swing, Salsa, Afro-Cuban, Afro-Beat, Reggae, Ska, Jazz, and Irish Jig music with several major bands including: Mirage, Kings of Swing, Baby Huey and the Babysitters, Jack Diamond Band, Marty MacAvitt Band, Renaissance Big Band, The Continentals, The Kevin Reynolds Band, Mystic Biscuits, Agents of Good Roots, The Good Guys, Ban Caribe Latin Band, Tropical Punch Band of Los Angeles, Karen Hernandez Trio of Los Angeles, Wonderland Orchestra; Founded Matrix Band and Show Jazz Quartet

Camp Counselor, June 1988 - August 1994
Hopewell Community Center, Hopewell, VA
Worked with children ages 6 through 18 for seven consecutive summers planning and organizing recreational and educational activities for campers

Awards & Accomplishments

Chris Calloway’s Hi-De-Ho Orchestra saxophonist (January-March 2001)
Haddon Elementary School Career Day lecturer (June 1999)
California State University Northridge Jazz A Band saxophonist, Shanghai International Jazz Festival (March 1999)
National Dean’s List, CSU Northridge (3.85), 1998-1999
Wrangler commercial jingle baritone saxophonist, In Your Ears Studios, Richmond, VA (May 1997)
Notre Dame Jazz Festival Solo Performance Awards (three) recipient (April 1997)
Midway Elementary School Career Day lecturer (May 1994)
Studied improvisation and Jazz Orchestra performance under Jazz pianist Ellis Marsalis (August 1986-May 1989)
Virginia State University Solo Ensemble Contest-alto saxophone instrumental division first place winner (March 1986)
Virginia State University Solo Ensemble Contest-Overall winner, 4-year Scholarship given (March 1986)
All-district, all-regional lead alto saxophonist, Dinwiddie Senior High School (Tri-city area) 1986
Student Conductor Award recipient, Dinwiddie High School (March 1986)
AP Physics Honors-105 point class grade average for two consecutive years (12 college credits earned) Dinwiddie Senior High School, 1986

Professional saxophonist with over 25 years experience instructing students of all ages, offers lessons on sax, flute, clarinet, piano, music theory, and arranging. Consider my company-Fordham Labs Mu

About the lesson

subjects

languages

levels

About Warren

Rates

packages

webcam

free lessons

Video

Other tutors in Music Reading

Tomás

Swan

Antoine

Stanislas

Joseph

Luisa

Gabe

Johnny

Alice

Alecia

Charlie

Sierra

Nikita

Zachary

Gauri

Andrea

Noheli

Charlene

Jose

Ernie

Professional saxophonist with over 25 years experience instructing students of all ages, offers lessons on sax, flute, clarinet, piano, music theory, and arranging. Consider my company-Fordham Labs Mu

About the lesson

subjects

languages

levels

About Warren

Rates

packages

webcam

free lessons

Video

Other tutors in Music Reading

Tomás

Swan

Antoine

Stanislas

Joseph

Luisa

Gabe

Johnny

Alice

Alecia

Charlie

Sierra

Nikita

Zachary

Gauri

Andrea

Noheli

Charlene

Jose

Ernie

Share

Report this posting