Dexter Earl Ashley

[5.0 rating over 2 reviews from another lesson platform]

Dexter is a trumpet player of over 30 years, and has been tutoring trumpet students for approximately 3 years. 

He developed his skills playing the trumpet beginning in elementary school band and received private instruction during all of high school, and also in college. He continues to advance his skills until this present day. 

During high school, Dexter was a member of the Youngstown Honors band and Junior Military Band. Previously, he was part of a local church ensemble praise team called SPAN Ministries in Tallmadge, OH, playing as a lead trumpeter, for weekly services and occasional events for over 10 years (2009 - 2019). He also participated in performing for other church organizations and events through his career, such as Kent State University's Voices of Testimony gospel choir and Akron Gospel choir throughout college, and Church of the Four Winds Passover Event in 2011.

Currently, Dexter tutors and instructs students of various ages and backgrounds online as he travels abroad, whereas he previously taught lessons at his local church in person.

I like to use repetition and everyday tools, such as straws, to facilitate great trumpet playing, with pictures and examples. When demonstrating new exercises or techniques, I will play first, then allow my students to hear and replicate the sound and tonality he or she must acquire. 

Also, I give constructive feedback and modifications to help students avoid many mistakes, obstructions, and bad habits that can hinder long term growth and encourage good habits along the way. Primarily, we will work out of the Essential Elements book, but I will also provide customized sheet music exercises for the student based on what the focus is, like flexibility for example, for each student.

I primarily tutor beginner level trumpet students. These are students who have never played a trumpet before or have very little experience. This particular group I enjoy teaching because I am passionate about helping them learn foundational techniques, such as

-proper breathing and articulation technique,

-developing listening skills,

-embouchure formation and function,

-and sound production/tone development;

giving them the best start to become a great musician!  Also,  I am passionate about this group to help them avoid many of the mistakes I made early on while I was learning to play from bad advice! While I do enjoy teaching this group, it is not exclusive. If you are an intermediate player but want to review some fundamentals to refine your sound, I am here to help!