L e s s o n s P h i l o s o p h y
Ryan has been teaching private lessons on trumpet since 2010 and in music theory since 2004. He has a low-pressure teaching style that strives to find students where they are and bring them to where they need to be. Using a combination of extensive trumpet study, brass pedagogy, 20 years of performance experience, and a unique empathic connection, Ryan is able to help students experience competence and confidence. Capitalizing on this confidence is key to building stepping stones to future success and musical achievement. A great lesson is where the student has learned how to be a better trumpet player, a better musician, and a better student in all walks of life, gaining abilities in self-awareness and critical thinking. Ryan uses an easy, progressive teaching method in order to strike a balance between progress and achievement, between working hard and enjoying making music.
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Ryan has had students at all levels, teaching beginning (as young as age 8), intermediate/advanced (6th-12th grade), college-aged, and adult students (amateur trumpeters and "comeback" players). His diverse set of musical experiences make him equally adept at teaching concert/symphonic band, jazz band (with improvisation), orchestral, and commercial styles of music.
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Private instruction in music theory, aural skills, composition, and basic piano & vocal techniques are also available. These lessons typically include multiple elements, in order to create a better understanding of the structure, form, vocabulary, and building blocks of music. They can be geared toward studying for AP Music Theory exams, college entrance (music major) placement tests, budding composers/arrangers, or the curious musician who wishes to have a deeper working knowledge of how to craft music in any genre. Elements of analysis, ear training, and written theory are typically included.
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All lessons are custom-tailored to the student's needs and desires.
Whether your student is preparing for a college audition, high school honor band, or just looking to improve in order to make playing trumpet more fun, Ryan can help them achieve that goal!
R a t e s / I n f o r m a t i o n
Ryan teaches primarily from his home studio in Denver, CO. Ryan can accommodate single or group lessons, including coaching chamber ensembles. Parents are welcome to sit in during the lesson (earplugs available!) or remain outside nearby, with your student visible at all times through the front window.
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Ryan also is the staff instructor at the Parlando School of the Arts in Boulder, CO. If you are interested in taking lessons in the Boulder area, please visit that site for more information.
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Regular (weekly) lessons are preferred, but monthly, biweekly, and single (occasional) lessons are also available.
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Rates
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Individual Trumpet Lessons:
60 minutes - $60
45 minutes - $45
30 minutes - $30
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Group Trumpet/Brass Lessons: (2-4 students)
75 minutes - $90
60 minutes - $75
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Individual Music Theory/Aural Skills Lessons:
60 minutes - $40
45 minutes - $30
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Cancellation/Rescheduling
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24 hours notice required for cancelled/postponed lesson (no penalty)
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Less than 24 hours (and more than 6 hours) notice of a cancelled/postponed lesson will result in a 50% charge for that lesson that was scheduled.
Less than 6 hours notice of a cancelled/postponed will result in lesson being paid in full with no reschedule permitted for that week.
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The cancellation/reschedule policy is reciprocated - I will give more than 24 hours notice to cancel or reschedule a lesson, at no cost. If less than 24 hours, I will charge that (or the next) lesson at 50% off the standard rate. Less than 6 hours notice will result in a free 30' lesson, at a future time and date (assuming a reschedule is possible that week).
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Every effort will be made to schedule makeup lessons for those that are cancelled or postponed; these are not guaranteed.
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Late Policy
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Students/parents who are less than 15 minutes late to a lesson will not be penalized. Any late-arrival lesson will conclude at the originally scheduled end time, unless there is available time to teach the entire lesson (at Mr. Spencer's discretion). Students/parents who are chronically late will be approached about the issue in order to find a better time. If this does not alleviate the issue and the lateness continues, students may be asked to discontinue lessons.
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Please make every effort to communicate in advance of any conflicts, traffic, or other issues. Text is quickest, and either email or texting/calling are acceptable forms of communication. Better communication means a lower chance of lesson penalties.
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Students more than 15 minutes late to a lesson will not be penalized at the first occurrence, but the lesson will conclude at the originally scheduled end time, with no going over.
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Payments
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Payments required upon completion of lesson, in full. Advance (e.g. monthly) payments are accepted. Payments can be made via check, cash, Venmo, or PayPal. If using the latter, please select the "Friends and Family" option. No extra charge will be assessed if lesson goes over time (this sometimes happens in order to finish teaching a concept or implementing the lesson's concepts in performance). Sliding scale available for dedicated, talented students who are committed to weekly lessons. This is entirely at Mr. Spencer's discretion.
Please feel free to contact Ryan at ryanspencermusic@gmail.com if you have any further questions or concerns.
Student Resources
Coming soon!