in person or via Facetime or Skype

I truly enjoy working with students, all types – the beginner, the student looking to just improve to play in the school band, the high school or young adult looking to begin a career in music and the adult coming back to music after being away for a while. I have had students of all ages and skill levels, from the local area to those at the university to ones in other countries as far away as Australia, Brazil, China, Estonia, Russia, Scotland and many more exotic locations.

I began teaching saxophone and clarinet while in high school and have continued all these many years, almost fifty, so I have experience with a great many varied individuals whose goals are as different as one might expect. Whether studying traditional material, classical works, contemporary styles or jazz selections and improvisation, I believe a student, any student, must have a strong, secure understanding of basic saxophone technique with a special emphasis on sound and tone production.

Former students are professors of saxophone at schools throughout the United States and a number of foreign countries; touring and recording artists; concerto winners; elementary, middle and high school directors; private studio teachers; and folks who have ‘regular’ jobs and just love playing their saxophone.

In addition to my home studio teaching, I have been fortunate to have taught at a number of colleges and universities. Since 1987, I have been Professor of Music at the University of Louisville School of Music, Director of the Jamey Aebersold Jazz Studies Program and Professor of Saxophone. My teaching has also been recognized by a number of highly prestigious organizations: Fulbright Senior Specialist Program (twice, teaching in Estonia and the Republic of Georgia), National Endowment for the Arts Artist-in-Residence Program and the Kentucky Arts Council. I have also been a member of the internationally recognized Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshops since 1975.

Lessons are from thirty to sixty minutes in length and can be arranged at my home, the university or via Facetime or Skype. Fees are competitive, so please feel free to contact me for specifics at mike0tracy@gmail.com or via Facebook at Michael Tracy.

Feel free to review other articles, materials and exercises contained on this site. They are there for you to read, print and use. I hope you find them helpful and welcome any comments or feedback you might offer. Best of success on your musical endeavors.