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I am currently enjoying my first year as Assitant Professor
and Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Nevada,
Reno. In addition to saxophone and improvisation, I teach
a survey course on various musical cultures from around
the world (MUS 321: Exploring World
Music) and oversees the department's small ensemble
program. Past courses include MUS 120: Survey of Jazz
and MUS 109: History of American Popular Song.
Prior to my time in Reno, I taught saxophone and improvisation
lessons to numerous students of all ages and levels.
For more on my approach to private lessons, click
here. I have also taught classes and done workshops
that address a number of different areas of focus, including:
solo performance on a monophonic instrument, basic principles
of jazz and improvisation, advanced improvisation (inside
and outside) of standard forms, Balkan folk music, etc.
In January, 2001, I joined Ralph
and Liz Alessi, and an incredible list of musicians from
New York's creative music scene, to help establish the
School for Improvisational
Music. It has been a grassroots labor of love that
has "changed everything" for me. Students come
from all over the world and bring with them an incredible
amount of creative energy and artistic vision. My role
in SIM has been that of saxophone instructor, assistant
director, clinician, ensemble coach, gofer and (now former)
web designer. For more info on SIM, including upcoming
events and workshops, click
here. I have also been invited to teach (three years
running now) at the International Meeting of Saxophonists
in Nova Gorica, Slovenia. For more details, click
here.
If you are interested in studying privately with me or
have any questions about the University of Nevada, Reno
Jazz Studies Program, please feel free to email me at:
pepstein@unr.edu
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Private
lessons
As a saxophone teacher, I focus first and foremost
on the basic skills needed to play the instrument: correct
embouchure and breath control, basic reading skills,
rhythmic concepts, basic harmony, etc. These concepts
are stressed through all levels of study, from beginners
to professionals. Other physical concepts like sound,
intonation, and aural skills are likewise dealt with
continually. In my approach to teaching, I tend to focus
on the following areas:
- economy and creativity in practicing
- developing a personal musical vocabulary and voice
- the importance of sound
- advanced rhythmic concepts
- clearing the mind, staying in the moment, honoring
the inner voice
I believe in balance and proportion. Discipline and
technique are stressed; so too are those things which
are often difficult to verbalize. I love trying
to find ways to talk about the elusive stuff. Perhaps
we can't teach creativity, but we may be able to speed
the journey.
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