Teaching Studio

Nathan has had many years of experience teaching saxophone and clarinet to students of all abilities from beginner to tertiary levels. As an educator, Nathan strives to teach students a diverse range of musical styles whilst encouraging technical improvements and guiding maturity of musicality.  Currently based in Sydney, Australia, Nathan runs teaching studios at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music - Open Academy, Saxophone Academy of Sydney and a private studio in the Inner-West, Henshaw Sax Studio.

 Nathan is available for lessons at these studios as well as one-off lessons to assist students with auditions, HSC and AMEB preparations. 

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Teaching Philosophy

"As an educator, I have had many years of experience teaching and conducting students in various settings and demographics (primary, secondary, tertiary and beyond). I feel that my experience working within such varied contexts equips me with the necessary skills to help enhance any music program. In particular, my experiences working as an educator at a variety of schools and institutions have provided me with the necessary experience and skills to be an effective teacher, conductor and educator.

This experience has helped me develop a unique understanding of the needs of music students to not merely "play the notes" but to engage with a conceptual understanding of the music they perform. This level of engagement allows students to explore nuanced stylistic interpretations with a degree of freedom, while being led by someone who is cognisant of their needs as learners.

I am a patient and dedicated tutor, but with high expectations of my students. I work hard to develop each student’s abilities to their highest level, while maintaining an open and warm setting in order to create the best environment for student development and retention. I often go above and beyond my role in order to enhance the student experience, organising and creating new platforms for performances, workshops, and social development. The success of this holistic approach has been proven in regular invitations to guest lecture at a number of events, most recently in regional NSW. 

I feel comfortable with teaching a wide variety of musical genres. My major teaching philosophy is to help students of all ages develop a holistic approach to music – through appreciation and developing an understanding of various musical genres. Being trained as a both a classical and jazz saxophonist, I found this all-encompassing appreciation to be of great benefit to my own musical experiences and teaching. I’ve also been engaged as a panel member/adjudicator for various audition panels, technical exams (Sydney Conservatorium), scholarships (Central Coast Conservatorium) and eisteddfodau (Narrabri, Toowoomba)."  

Nathan's educational profile also includes experience in running:

  • Masterclasses, concert practices, clinics and workshops in on various topics: performance, chamber music, AMEB/exam preparation, musicology, improvisation and ensemble skills.
  • Conducting: opportunity to conduct various ensembles (concert bands, orchestras, saxophone ensembles, saxophone quartets, stage bands) ranging from tertiary, secondary and primary school aged students.
  • Clinician and tutor: teach/coach at various summer schools, masterclasses and weekend intensives.