I am currently an instructor for the Music 119: Elements of Music course at Stony Brook University as part of my Teaching Assistantship. In this role, I facilitate instruction on topics including the rudiments of music (meter, tempo, rhythm, clefs), musical organization (scales, keys, intervals, chords, form), and style in classical music. This opportunity allows me to engage with students in foundational musical concepts and nurture their understanding of music theory and appreciation. I have also taught online, asynchronous Music 320: United States Popular Music during Summer Term 2026 and Music 308: History of Jazz during Summer Term 2025. I also teach undergraduate low brass (trombone, euphonium, tuba) lessons at Stony Brook University. These weekly, 1-hour long lessons are tailored for undergraduate music majors, music minors, and non-majors.
In addition to my academic teaching, I am a private lesson instructor; I teach woodwinds, piano, string, and brass instruments. I am passionate about working with students of all ages and skill levels, fostering their musical growth and helping them achieve their individual goals.
In the fall of 2022, I completed a student teaching experience at both the elementary and secondary levels. At the elementary level, I worked with fourth and fifth-grade orchestra and band students at Webster Hill Elementary School and Bugbee Elementary School (West Hartford, CT) under the guidance of Dr. Amanda Leon-Guerrero. At the secondary level, I taught fifth to eighth-grade band students at Martin Kellogg Middle School (Newington, CT) alongside Mr. Ken Bell. This immersive experience provided invaluable insight into the role of a music educator in a public-school setting. I helped young musicians ignite their passion for a lifelong love of music while teaching them valuable life lessons and skills along the way.
During the summer of 2022, I served as the Music, Movement, and Drama program instructor at a summer camp in Glastonbury, Connecticut. In this role, I worked with several groups of campers from grades K-5, enriching their experience with musical theater games and activities, as well as basic singing, dancing, and musicking. This role allowed me to foster creativity and collaboration among young learners in a fun and engaging environment.
My diverse teaching experiences have strengthened my ability to adapt to different educational settings and student needs. I am committed to inspiring a love for music and helping students discover their potential through a supportive and enriching learning experience.
In addition to my academic teaching, I am a private lesson instructor; I teach woodwinds, piano, string, and brass instruments. I am passionate about working with students of all ages and skill levels, fostering their musical growth and helping them achieve their individual goals.
In the fall of 2022, I completed a student teaching experience at both the elementary and secondary levels. At the elementary level, I worked with fourth and fifth-grade orchestra and band students at Webster Hill Elementary School and Bugbee Elementary School (West Hartford, CT) under the guidance of Dr. Amanda Leon-Guerrero. At the secondary level, I taught fifth to eighth-grade band students at Martin Kellogg Middle School (Newington, CT) alongside Mr. Ken Bell. This immersive experience provided invaluable insight into the role of a music educator in a public-school setting. I helped young musicians ignite their passion for a lifelong love of music while teaching them valuable life lessons and skills along the way.
During the summer of 2022, I served as the Music, Movement, and Drama program instructor at a summer camp in Glastonbury, Connecticut. In this role, I worked with several groups of campers from grades K-5, enriching their experience with musical theater games and activities, as well as basic singing, dancing, and musicking. This role allowed me to foster creativity and collaboration among young learners in a fun and engaging environment.
My diverse teaching experiences have strengthened my ability to adapt to different educational settings and student needs. I am committed to inspiring a love for music and helping students discover their potential through a supportive and enriching learning experience.
Teaching Testimonials
"JT was very effective at explaining material, clearly conveying class information to students, providing additional study resources, and accommodating for the needs of the class. If you are going to take MUS119, take it with JT." - Anonymous Music 119 Student
"JT is an incredible and very passionate lecturer. They are very engaging with their lecture content, making sure everybody understands the material before moving on. As a junior, if I could retake any course that I have taken at Stony Brook so far, it would most definitely be this course with JT." -Anonymous Music 119 Student
"During this student teaching placement, JT has consistently shown a high level of commitment to planning effective lessons that are appropriate for the students in beginning and second year instrumental lessons. JT's implementation of lessons and attention to students' musical needs continues to improve due to their constant reflection and self-assessment. JT's rapport with students allows for a safe learning environment." - Dr. Amanda Leon-Guerrero, Band and Orchestra Director Webster Hill Elementary School
"JT did an excellent job coming into this program mid-way through a semester, immediately learning the students, their needs, and overall routines. Their rapport with students was excellent throughout the 6 weeks. JT showed competence in front of the students but was also very humble and easy to work with." - Mr. Ken Bell, Band Director at Martin Kellogg Middle School
"JT is an incredible and very passionate lecturer. They are very engaging with their lecture content, making sure everybody understands the material before moving on. As a junior, if I could retake any course that I have taken at Stony Brook so far, it would most definitely be this course with JT." -Anonymous Music 119 Student
"During this student teaching placement, JT has consistently shown a high level of commitment to planning effective lessons that are appropriate for the students in beginning and second year instrumental lessons. JT's implementation of lessons and attention to students' musical needs continues to improve due to their constant reflection and self-assessment. JT's rapport with students allows for a safe learning environment." - Dr. Amanda Leon-Guerrero, Band and Orchestra Director Webster Hill Elementary School
"JT did an excellent job coming into this program mid-way through a semester, immediately learning the students, their needs, and overall routines. Their rapport with students was excellent throughout the 6 weeks. JT showed competence in front of the students but was also very humble and easy to work with." - Mr. Ken Bell, Band Director at Martin Kellogg Middle School
Sample Work
| Sample Band Music Curriculum |
| Integration Unit: Music and the Civil Rights Movement |
