BRASS & WOODWIND LESSONS AT OCTOPUS
Saxophone, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, and flute lessons at Octopus Music School are taught using our proprietary OPUS curriculum (Octopus Poly-Instrumental Units of Study). OPUS consists of ten grade levels, each with a requisite assessment and certification. With consistent practice at recommended intervals, our carefully designed curriculum prepares students to quickly advance from day one by equipping them with the necessary tools and scaffolding to build a comprehensive understanding of the piano. In addition to learning note-reading, rhythm interpretation, and proper technique, students are exposed to theory, aural training, music appreciation, and collaborative courses with peers to help cultivate an immersive environment in which to thrive.
Lessons are still tailored to individuals' unique learning needs, and repertoire remains flexible so that students are able to learn music which interests them, however the core content and benchmarks have been standardized to ensure fast and steady progress for students of all ages and skill levels.
FRANK
Frank has been teaching private music lessons on clarinet and saxophone for nearly 30 years. He attended Binghamton University where he studied clarinet with Dr. Timothy Perry and saxophone with Albert Hamme. Prior to that, he studied with Caesar DiMauro, Barry Bilowitz and Laurence Laurenzano. At Binghamton, Frank performed with the university's Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble and Orchestra. Upon receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1992, Frank began teaching at various music schools on Staten Island. Since moving to Middletown, NJ, Frank has continued to teach clarinet and saxophone lessons to students of Middletown's elementary, middle and high schools. Frank’s students have participated in the NYSSMA Festival, All Shore Jazz Band, All Shore Symphonic Band, All Shore Intermediate Band, Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Youth Ensemble, Jazz Arts Academy, CJMEA Elementary Honors Band and the Pre-College Division Honors Music Program at Westminster Conservatory of Music.
Frank is currently the principal clarinetist in the Colts Neck Community Band and the founder and soprano/alto saxophonist of the Sunken City Saxophone Quartet. He feels that while learning an instrument takes a lot of time and practice, it should also be a fun and enjoyable experience!
PAUL
Paul began his music journey at nine years old where he started on trombone and fell in love with the instrument. He received a Bachelor of Music in trombone performance from University of California, Santa Barbara, where he studied with the legendary studio musician Bill Booth, and a Master of Music in Trombone Performance from University of Southern California, Thornton School of Music, where he studied with the bass trombonist of the LA opera, Terry Cravens. During his study in Southern California, he had many different freelance experiences, ranging from teaching students of all ages, playing classical, jazz, contemporary, and church music. His teaching philosophy is to teach the student to become a teacher for themselves. By helping students develop critical thinking skills, students would teach themselves everyday, in the practice room, in the classroom, and in life. He values composition and improvisation in early musical training for all genres.
THOMAS
Thomas is a conductor, trumpet player, and educator. Having completed a Master's degree in orchestral conducting at Rutgers University’s prestigious Mason Gross, some of his current positions include Music Director of Brook Orchestra, Assistant Conductor for Ravina Youth Orchestra, and Coordinator and Music Director for Princeton Charter School's Orchestra program. During his time at Rutgers, he studied with several conductors including Kynan Johns, Diane Wittry, Michael Adelson, and others. As a trumpet player, Thomas has found great success in his studies with Metropolitan Opera's David Krauss, and New York Philharmonic's Kenneth DeCarlo. As an undergraduate, he earned the honor of playing principal trumpet with the New York Youth Symphony in Carnegie Hall in their 2015-2016 season. His teaching style places a focus on ear training, scales, and duets, and his students have had much success as regional and all-state band and orchestra members.
DIANA
Diana began studying music at an early age at the Escuela Superior de Artes (EPA), leaning towards the saxophone. Years later, she had the opportunity to travel to France for two years to study music theory and saxophone at the Conservatoire National de Région, Poitiers. Returning to Colombia to study at the Débora Arango School of Arts, she finished the Professional Technique in Production for Internships Musicals and Technology in Instrumental Management and Execution. After, she obtained her Bachelor's degree in Music Education at the University of Antioquia dedicating herself to teaching at different institutions in the city of Medellin, such as the Academia from the National Adventist University of Colombia (UNAC), Yamaha Musical, Comfama, Sinfonica de Antioquia, among others. Her ability to play a wide variety of musical instruments helped her as the director of the Atempo Music School. In addition to her musical training, she has also dabbled in dance as a part of the Flamenco and Arab Dance group "La Jarana”.