Blakely C. TakeLessons Instructor Trumpet, music, Classical, Sight reading, music theory, organizational skills, ear training,... Fairfax, VA

Since she was a child, Blakely has been performing and studying the trumpet knowing that she wanted to pursue music as a career. In May of 2006, she completed her Master’s Degree in trumpet performance at the Eastman School of Music, where she studied with James Thompson. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Trumpet Performance and Music Education from Florida State University, where she studied with Bryan Goff. As part of her education degree, she served as a student teacher at Mandarin High School in Jacksonville, Florida where she acted as an assistant band director.

Blakely has tallied performances on some of the world’s most prestigious stages and festivals. Some of her most notable performances include her Carnegie Hall debut with the Eastman Wind Ensemble under the direction of Mark Scatterday in February of 2005. She has also appeared at the Kennedy Center and has performed under notable conductors including, Leonard Slatkin and Frederick Fennel. Festivals include Boston University's Tanglewood Institute and the Lake Placid Institute where she studied with world-renowned trumpet players such as Mark Gould, Ed Carroll, Tom Stevens and John Wallace.

A native of Vienna, Virginia, she has relocated back to the Washington, D.C. area where she is currently free-lancing, and teaching privately.

In addition to her trumpet career, she is an experienced teacher. Blakely has held private tutor positions at schools that serve the elementary, middle school and high school level.

With the huge variety of activities children are asked to do these days, it is difficult to cultivate a real interest in one extra-curricular activity. Often, teachers simply have too many students in their class to provide the customized one-on-one instruction that creates an enthusiastic student. By finding out what the students goals are for their study, I try to create an environment where the student feels like they are moving towards goals that appeal to them while I provide a structure that makes progress and improvement possible. By gaining a certain amount of mastery over the instrument they will get much more out of the time they play during school and typically enjoy the experience much more.

Having obtained a music education degree and studied with renowned performers and teachers, I have the knowledge of different teaching and playing styles.

Lessons have a laid back atmosphere and are very enjoyable and motivational.  The format of lessons usually consists of a warm-up, music theory and assignment review.  It is hard to be specific regarding details of each lesson because every student is different and has a different learning style, but rhythm, intonation, tone production and music theory play an important role. Students are expected to practice regularly.  The duration and frequency of practice depends on his/her advancement level and will be discussed in the lessons.  My students often have a high seat in their band, and due to our concentrated efforts, find that they are more advanced than other students in their ensemble.

I specialize in classical trumpet playing. I use various method books and vary the lessons depending on the students learning style.

Trumpet, music, Classical, Sight reading, music theory, organizational skills, ear training, performance techniques, intonation, embrocure, articulation, tone quality