Emily Joy
About
I've been playing French horn for 28 years, professionally for 11 years, teaching for 14. I have played in orchestras, chamber ensembles, concert bands and mixed ensembles, holding a wide range of positions ranging from principal to 3rd chair. I currently work as a studio musician, recording professionally as well as (when there are live shows not during a pandemic) with a house band for a live show. I'm oddly proud to have my playing printed on a vinyl album. I play on a King Eroica and Conn 8-D with a customized mouthpiece, and have my own studio at home. I'm currently working on developing arrangements for horn to make videos for YouTube.
Current ensembles: Mortified Afterschool Orchestra (Los Angeles), associated bands for recording
Past ensembles: associated bands for recording, Washington Community Band, collegiate ensembles (orchestra, concert band, horn ensemble & brass ensemble), Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra master classes. I've also performed in the pit for productions of One Upon A Mattress, Oklahoma, Crazy For You, Fiddler on the Roof and Wizard of Oz.
My teaching style is very conversational. I start by working to understand their goals, what they wish to work on or improve upon, and tailor their lessons to focus on their goals however encourage well-rounded learning for them to succeed in any aspect of playing. I'm very relaxed in understanding schedules for practice, however I do expect practice during the week and will mark improvement during each lesson. If the student has no enthusiam for the horn, I lose enthusiam for teaching them. I keep engaged with how they are feeling while they play, as learning horn can be frustrating in the beginning. I have been there myself, and will work them through their frustration, find what motivates them and help guide them through their journey.
At the beginning, there will be 50/50 talking and playing, and as the student progresses it will shift to 25/75 talk/play. Either them playing their prepared pieces for me, or talking through anything they may be working on or causing them a hiccup. I find it extremely important to engage in conversation with students to understand their needs, their wants, their fears and hopes. And each lesson will come with ups and downs. I always keep the flexibility in mind as music is a just as flexible and emotional as we are.
BA - Music Performance from Indiana University of Pennsylvania
I teach using method and etude books to learn reading, technique, flexibility and accuracy. As the student progresses, additional method and etude books will be incorporated to expand their range and technique. With these books, I progress students through a pyramid, building a strong base through exercises where they will learn their keys, scales, arpeggios and articulations. From that base we would move to Etudes and eventually build through literature to solo playing, which will teach sight-reading and transposition.
I will start them off with a provided copy of Basic Exercises for Daily Practice as made by Forrest Standley. For beginners, Vol 1 of any of the following methods - Standard of Excellence Comprehensive Band Method, Tunes for French Horn Technic, Breeze-easy Method. For early intermediate, Vol 2 of any of the noted methods and for those interested in learning jazz: Standard of Excellence Jazz Ensemble Method. For intermediate players, Vols 2 of the above methods (jazz excluded), Advanced Method Vol 1, as well as Kopprasch 60 Studies I.
For the early intermediate to advanced intermediate student, we will discuss literature and solo work, as well as orchestral excerpts for them to work on in advancing in transposition.