Laura Jeanne Metze-Roberts
About
I started playing trumpet and piano in Kindergarten, I have played trumpet for over 46 years and have been in various groups in Elem, Jr. High and HS. I played trumpet from when I was a Kindergartener. I was self taught. I was first chair, in Amarillo High School band, and did solo and ensemble competitions earning a one in rating many times. I also was a part of Amarillo Schools Region bands and orchestras, and made it to area. My Senior year, I moved to Plano, and became a part I also marched 4 years on Band 1 side of the trumpet rank at Texas Tech University. I can play super high notes, I have found a trick to playing using full tone, I can teach you, what I have learned and you can apply it to your playing. I earned the Best Pledge award in Mu Phi Epsilon, 2007. With all of this being said I would love to teach your student. If you don't practice for a while,(especially when you are a beginner) You lose what has already been built up. I will slowly increase your range and learning music theory of playing the instrument. I have been teaching students of all ages from beginners, intermediate, and advanced for 25 years plus. I have completed 23 years of service in elementary music education in the school system. Recently I retired and started teaching trumpet online. I presently am teaching 10 trumpet students. I graduated from Texas Tech Univ. in 1990, with a BA in Music Education (all level certified) and began teaching in Whitney, Texas for the first 12 years, then moved to Kentucky, where I pursued my Masters of Divinity. Meeting my husband. We moved back to Texas, where I served as a pastor for a year and a half, and went back into teaching following this. Since Covid, (2021) I have retired from public education and now work fulltime out of my house teaching online, trumpet, ESL, tutoring English and playing piano. I am also a songwriter where I have always had a studio where I have recorded many of my own written songs. My students will concur they like my writing. You can check me out on youtube.com, IHCmusic1, and any digital platform for listening to music. There are also videos on youtube demonstrating my wide range, and ability on the trumpet.
My husband and I recently got back from a trip to Holland Michigan, where we were part of the street performer line up. It was a lot of fun sharing my music through trumpet, guitar and vocal on the streets. I look forward to meeting and teaching you. My life has been a blessing and I look forward to meeting and teaching you as you become a little musician, or just play for fun with no major goals in front of you.
Teaching Style
I began teaching private lessons on the piano in Whitney, Texas. in the early 90's. In the recent years since Covid, I now have a trumpet studio online. I have taught students from the early ages of 8 years old to late 60's. I have taught many levels of trumpet from basic beginner to advanced. My students have been regular education to special needs. I have found success in all areas. I have taught trumpet for a while and recently decided teaching online is the way to go. I teach all genre's of music including classical and Jazz. I have seen each of my students grow in their ability to play. From their beginning notes, to their ability to play higher than before. Everyday that I meet with a student is a reward for me. I get to see their improvement week by week. I see growth when they apply what they have been given to learn through practice and natural ability. This is the key to playing the trumpet. The trumpet is an instrument where you have to shape and build the embouchure. I have much experience in this. I am able to help you with exercises to help you increase your range, and flexibility. and read music. Music is fun. Come be a part of my studio, you won't be disappointed. My students say I am nice and easy to get along with. I love to encourage and build up the player. I have one student who has tried out for the San Diego Youth Orchestra, he is a hard worker, and practices each week. I am so very proud of his accomplishments he is in the 6th grade. I have another student who loves to play from brassified.com, a 5th grader. He has learned how to play "Peaches". Another one of my students is an adult she is a missionary and uses her contemporary Christian songs on her mission trips to Israel. I also taught a student how to play the Bugle songs on the trumpet. she had never played a brass instrument before, but she earned her scouts badge with 6 months of playing. I was amazed at her progression in learning and playing the bugle. I have a few students who are home schooled and can meet with me early in the day, and even at the later evening. I am very flexible. You don't have to have a lesson weekly because I know how busy life can be. Teaching online through Zoom, is a convenient way for me to teach and for my students to learn and it has been a reward for me and my students. I hope you will join me for some lessons so you can grow in your ability to play this beautiful instrument.
Curriculum
I use Essential Band Elements (Beginner method book)
I also use 8notes.com, brassified, songbird.com and others
I use my chromatic chart that I made, called slurring endurance- This is used for my students daily warm ups.
Some of my students just want to practice their music for band class which is ok with me.
Trumpet: For beginning students who are children we begin with the basics. Learning how to blow, to buzz on the mouthpiece, getting a sound is key. Setting the embouchure I will listen to each student and adjust as needed. My students will play long tones on their mouthpieces and sirens blowing fast and slow increasing their range going up and down. They will be given simple exercises that will help them build their range and flexibility moving in a chromatic scale up and down. My students will learn how to read the notes, and music rhythms, counting by 1234 etc, scales, proper tonguing, and anything else that is related to playing the trumpet. I use 8 notes.com for the music because it is free. If a student has music they need help with, we can use your music. Bands all over the world use Essential Elements. Some of my students prefer to use the method books like this. Some of my students like to use youtube to learn to read music as a video game. It's a fun way to play. (brassified.com) You have a choice of what kind of songs you'd like to play. I had one student once who only wanted to play Patriotic Tunes, so that is what we played. He can play the Star Spangled Banner really well. I prefer the old way of teaching from the use of Simple 3 note songs, progressing note by note. Hot cross buns, then to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, I believe in playing songs that are familiar and progressing to more advanced material after you have been playing for a while and your ear is trained to hear the notes before you play. As a kindergartener playing trumpet in the mid 70's, I now get to share my love for this instrument to others, won't you come learn.
PIANO: I began teaching piano private lessons to a few of my students in Whitney, where they grew in their ability to play, beginning students always seem to do well, when they apply what they have been given to learn. Practice is important to learn the piano. I use the Faber series books, because they use a more classical style approach. I will teach whatever style you would like to pursue. It can include music theory, using chords and scales. The Faber series however does not introduce scales, or key signatures right off. They take it for granted, so I have to side teach using my own curriculum to make up for what is missing. I like the Faber series, because it uses familiar classical tunes and modern styles.
Credentials & Affiliations
BA in MUSIC EDUCATION- Lifetime Certificate, Texas Tech University 1990
All level music pk-12
Masters of Divinity- Asbury Theological Seminary 2007
1996-Clinician at Texas Music Educators Convention, San Antonio, Texas 1996- Clinician by invitation, to an International Character Education Convention Works Published- Your Character Counts, play and songs Works Published- Tarleton State Univ. Educators magazine, my article, Your Character Counts. Works Published-Asbury Theological Seminary- Abide-2003-2004, Trumpet teacher, Jazz Band outstanding soloist, 1983, Area , Region Bands, Jr High, Highschool Band, Amarillo High School, Crockett Jr. High- Amarillo Sandie Band, Texas Marching Band, Trumpet Rank- Band one.