Teaching

University of the Arts Bremen

I am the Lecturer for Baroque Trombone at the University of the Arts Bremen, the premier conservatory in Germany for Early Music. Baroque trombone is offered as a primary instrument in every course of study offered at the Institute for Early Music and performance practice:

-Young Students
-Erasmus and visiting studies
-Bachelor of Music (Performance)
-Bachelor of Music (Education)
-Bachelor of Music (Elementary pedagogy)
-Master of Music (Performance)
-Master of Music (Education)
-Master of Music (Elementary pedagogy)
–Konzertexamen (soloist diploma)
-Continuing studies

The Institute for Early Music and performance practice offers an extremely comprehensive training in historically-informed performance taught by world-class faculty. Students in Baroque Trombone research and acquire a pervasive knowledge of the broad spectrum of literature for this instrument, with a particular focus on the rich repertoire of the 16th and 17th centuries, but also including both the earlier Renaissance and later Classical and Romantic musical literature. There is close collaboration with other classes in Early Music, especially with the Cornetto class, including in regular large projects and excursions to play with historical organs.

Over the course of their studies, students question their modern assumptions about equipment and musicality and arrive at a source-based approach to playing. Particular emphasis is placed on knowledge and mastery of the various ornamentation and improvisation styles. The study programme takes into account the diversity of today’s trombone scene and is suitable for both aspiring specialists and modern trombonists who want to acquire experience with historical instruments. The continuing studies programme is particularly suitable for working professional modern trombonists.

The application deadline for studies starting in October is 31 March, with auditions in early June.
The application deadline for studies starting in April is in early December, with auditions in February.
For the Konzertexamen and mid-year transfer students, application opens in November.
Continuing studies do not require auditions; the registration deadline is 15 September.

Workshops and masterclasses

I also regularly teach at workshops and give masterclasses. Notably, I teach baroque trombone at the Historic Brass Studio in Bremen as well as improvised polyphony together with Catherine Motuz at the MentiParti summer academy for historical improvisation in Basel, Switzerland. I have previously been on the faculty of the Madison Early Music Festival and the San Francisco Early Music Society’s Baroque Workshop. I also regularly give masterclasses and lectures at festivals and universities. I enjoy both working with baroque trombonists and introducing concepts of historically-informed performance to modern trombone students.

Private lessons

In addition to my teaching at the HfK Bremen and in organised workshops, I am available for private lessons and ensemble coaching (whether regular or occasional) in person in Switzerland and Northern Germany, and online.