Andrew Giska
About
Hello and welcome to my studio!
As a music educator, I facilitate a safe, welcoming environment for students to learn and attain their goals. With over 10 years of teaching experience, your lessons will be uniquely designed to suit your goals and ambitions. Whether you are brand new, played for a few years, or coming back to after some time off. You will grow your creative capabilities by exploring music that challenges you to become a better musician. I incorporate music that you want to play while still going over the fundamentals of your instrument, all so you can gain the most out of lessons and have fun! All this being said, I'm glad you have decided to take lessons and look forward to helping you create great music!
By the way, if you are interested in checking out my youtube channel, I have cool videos of me playing instruments. Right now, I only have trumpet but be on the lookout for more instruments in the future!
https://www.youtube.com/@andrewgiska4986
Teaching Style
My goal is to engage students while having fun. I use visual imagery with musical vocabulary to enhance student learning. As an example, students learning complex rhythms at a young age can be intimidating. I use fruit syllables to help students feel the rhythmic patterns and then apply to their instrument.
For more advanced students, this I teach similarly but with more age appropriate examples. Jumping up to higher notes seems to be a more difficult topic for brass players, so I use the idea of bouncing off the bottom note to reach the top much like you bounce on a trampoline to get higher in the air.
Regardless of your age or instrument, I will find what helps you the most in order to help play your best.
Curriculum
My lesson plans are designed for new and returning musicians. Whether you are starting out at a young age or want to get back into playing your instrument after years off, you will develop the skills needed to play your instrument and have fun creating great music! We will learn tuning, range, endurance, rhythm, but most importantly keep your playing in healthy condition (no-one wants to hurt after playing music!). I promise fun while making progress.
My students learn songs they have always wanted while learning how to sound great.
- Proper breathing
- Playing 'bigger' without playing louder
- Articulation styles
- Range development (Low and High notes)
- Personal interpretation
- Instrument maintenance routines
- Live performance tips
- Lead/Jazz/Big Band music
- Classical solo/Concert Band/Wind ensemble repertoire
- Simple-to-Complex Rhythms
- Soloing over chords/modes
- Flexibility
All my students learn:
- Sight reading
- Music Theory
- Ear training
A sample fingering chart is one of many detailed files I have created to help beginner students learn their instrument. Take a look!
Credentials & Affiliations
Towson University - Bachelors in Music Education (2023)
National Association for Music Education (NAFME)
Maryland Music Educators Association (MMEA)
Temple University - Music Minor, Concentration in Jazz Performance (2017)