Jon Blanck Woodwinds (Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone) - Tuesday60 Minutes

Saxophonist, keyboardist, composer/arranger, recording artist, and educator, Jon Blanck graduated from Western Connecticut State University with a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies. His career as a performer has spanned many genres, from recording jazz with artists like Peter Bernstein and the Verve Jazz Ensemble to funking it up on stage with Jen Durkin, P-Funk All Stars, Rico Lewis and  S.O.N.S. of Funk. From classical music with the New Haven Symphony Orchestra to pop and dance music with Charisma, Jon is always exploring a new genre of music.

 

Jon's arrangements have been played by artists and organizations such as the Apollo Theater, Joan Jett, Stevie Wonder, PBS, Joe Perry, Tye Tribbet, and Michael J. Fox. His arrangements have also appeared on networks such as ABC, NBC, PBS, ESPN2 and FOX.

 

Education has always been a passion for Jon. He has over 20 years of private and group instruction experience, teaching lessons in saxophone, piano, music theory and arranging, music technology, improvisation, and studio composition.  He has taught clinics and masterclasses in schools such as Western CT State University and K-12 schools across CT, MA, and NY.

 

As a recording artist, Jon has appeared on over 40 albums. The albums he has produced, recorded and composed/arranged with the Verve Jazz Ensemble have reached #1, #5, #6 and #8 on the jazz radio play charts for the USA.

 

 

TEACHING METHODOLOGY

 

Students learn how to play their instrument of choice through a balance of fun, creativity and hard work. Classical training is part but not all of the core curriculum and is used to teach sight reading sheet music and to develop technique. Jon encourages students to show him their favorite songs of any style so Jon and the student can learn to play them together. Learning is so much more fun and engaging when you learn the music you love. Jon's experience as an arranger is utilized to write custom arrangements of the students’ favorite songs at the students ability level. Every student is unique and lessons are customized to evolve along with the student’s growing and changing interests.

 

On the creative side of music education, students are first taught how to improvise. Making music up on the spot is a magical journey and one of Jon's favorite subjects to teach. Students learn how to express themselves through jazz, funk, blues and rock and roll using music theory to form their artistic choices. Once the students have found their flow with improvisation, they are encouraged to compose their own music. For most, this quickly becomes their favorite part of music lessons. 

 

Ear training and music theory are also a part of lessons. Students learn the skills needed to play music just by listening, without the help of sheet music, and how to write the music themselves. Music theory teaches what music is made of, how it works and helps greatly with composition and improvisation.

 

 

For those interested in a career in music and/or preparation for college, Jon suggests 60 minute lessons. Students are taken through rigorous training including classical repertoire, jazz improvisation (if applicable), technique, music theory and ear training covering college level material. Students are prepared for their music theory entrance exams and college auditions.