Erick Escobar

I hold a Masters of Arts in Teaching from George Fox University in Newburg, Oregon as well as a Bachelors in Music for trumpet performance from Colorado State University. I have studied under Steven Marx from Sunderman Conservatory of Music, Dave Bamonte from Portland State University who is also assistant principal trumpet from Oregon Symphony and Dean Oaks from Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra and Flower City Brass. I have performed in various collegiate ensembles, orchestras and drum and bugle corps. I am an Alumni of Impulse Drum and Bugle Corps, 2006 World Champions as well as recipient of the 2006 “Corpsman of the year” award. I am also an Alumni of the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps, 2007. I have been honored to have performed in the official Rose Parade in Pasadena, California for seven consecutive years from 1999-2006.  My last performing position was 2^nd trumpet in Salem Philharmonia Orchestra in Salem, Oregon.

Not a single individual learns in the same way, each learner is in a different developmental stage in their lives. My curriculum and approach are tailored to the individual ways each student learns best. I am teaching students a foundation for which they can grow from, I am giving each one tools of how to be successful musicians. This looks like techniques in how to practice, organize, develop time management and how to apply these learned skills to the outside world.    

My go to practice technique is “copy cat.” I developed this technique during my own personal lessons with my trumpet professor. As a student I struggled to understand what was being asked of me but when my professor played it how he wanted it, I copied it exactly. I use this approach with all students because it helps develop their aural skill in trumpet. I have found that students are more successful when there is less verbal instruction and playing/copying is the more prominent component. 

Rock- AC/DC

60’- The Beatles

Salsa- Hector Lavoe

Jazz- Chet Baker

Classical- Mahler

"There is a world of difference between a Mahler eighth note and a normal eighth note." - Gustav Mahler

I started playing trumpet in the third grade. My parents bought my first trumpet from a JCPenney catalog which I still have. In high school I decided that my future needed to contain something involving music. That brought me to this path of teaching privately. Music is a gift that opens many doors.