Christmas Break Lessons

Hello,

I'm making myself available for lessons over the Christmas Break. If you would like to get your little ones out of the house for a little while, or if they need a break from Netflix and PS4, send them over!

Monday 12/23

9:00  Nate G

9:30  Logan S

10:00 Tim T

10:30 Noah M

11:00 Cole B

11:30 Jack B

Friday 12/27

9:00

9:30   Andrew F

10:00 Garret M

10:30 Ethan S

11:00 Alex S

11:30 Alex L

12:00 Justin C

12:30 Kristofer E

1:00   Nikel E

1:30   Eric F

2:00

2:30

Monday 12/30

9:00   Luke D

9:30   Jared T

10:00 Matt L

10:30 Sydney S

11:00 Andrew F

11:30 Eric F

12:00 Blake W

12:30 Garrett C

Tuesday 12/31

9:00

9:30   Graham A

10:00 Kristofer E

10:30 Nikel E

11:00 Ethan S

11:30 Jack B

I may have more availability as the break progresses, but this is what I'm able to commit to as of now. I will update this schedule here so you can see what's been taken.

As for payment, please only pay for each lesson. I'd like to get everyone's cycle re-started in January, and since we're caught up through last week, a new cycle right now would cause a big mess for me. Just a reminder, lessons are $17 each half-hour. 

Thank you!

Icicle Lessons

Hello! I'm going crazy being cooped up inside, and I'm sure you all are too! So, I've made secret arrangements to be at two campuses tomorrow for makeup lessons on Tuesday:

KHS

10:00 Jack B

10:30 Megan B

11:00 Matt L

11:30 Connor H

12:00 Anna M

12:30 Billingsley

KMS

1:30 Blake S

2:00 Alex S

2:30 Sydney S

3:00 Andrew F

3:30 Jingun K

4:00 Nick B
4:30 Mason W

Stay safe!

Turkey Week Lessons

Hello!

Even though we are on a long break from school, we won't be taking a break from getting ready for HS Region and the 6th grade concerts! I highly recommend you try to get a lesson this week if your child is in high school or 6th grade. My 7th and 8th graders can relax if you want, but I talked to a few of them about looking at possible solos for the next few weeks and being at KHS allows us to look at a bunch of different pieces that I am unable to bring to each middle school campus.

The weather is putting a dent in my intended schedule for this week; I was hoping to teach Monday and Tuesday, but I may be stuck out of town until Monday afternoon so I won't be able to teach that day after all. I am definitely teaching Tuesday and maybe some Wednesday morning before we head back out of town. So, here's what I have available.

Tuesday 11/26

9:30   Mason W
10:00 Megan B
10:30 Sydney S
11:00 Matt B
11:30 Noah M
12:00  Luke D
12:30 Jordan C
1:00   Blake S
1:30   Cole B
2:00   Nate G
2:30   Zach S
3:00   Justin C
3:30   Blake W
4:00   Tyler W
4:30   Cameron L

Wednesday 11/27

9:30   Matt L
10:00 Kristofer E
10:30 Nikel E
11:00 Mason W
11:30 Alex S
12:00 Anna M

So far that's all I'm able to commit to at this time. I will give priority scheduling to all KHS students, then 6th graders (to help prepare for the upcoming concert), and if there is room, to 8th graders followed by 7th graders. If you are interested in a slot, please email me your preferred time. I'm only able to offer 30-minute slots this week. If your child needs a ride, please let me know! I will ask another family if they would be willing to help with transportation. We can make it work!

I hope you all stay safe with the upcoming weather; if my plans change I will update here and send another email. Thank you!

Makeup/Extra Lessons Sunday 11/17

Hello!

I am teaching lessons at KHS Sunday 11/17 from 1-5pm. Due to KHS percussion placement auditions occurring Monday and Tuesday I'll be unable to teach my normal Monday and Tuesday lessons. So, take advantage of this opportunity if you'd like some last-minute help before auditions!

1:00
1:30  Ethan S
2:00  Kevin H
2:30  Jack B
3:00  Blake S
3:30  Nate G
4:00  Justin C
4:30  Blake W

Let me know three preferred slots and I'll try to work out a schedule that fits as many people as possible. There are more students than slots so make sure you're quick to respond! If I can't fit you in, you can still come up and work while I'm up there.

Thanks, and good luck!

Lessons on Monday 10/14 (Updated 9:00pm, 10/13)

Hello!

I'm teaching lessons Monday 10/14 to makeup lessons I missed in the past week and for students I'll miss due to the holiday. Additionally, if you think you may need extra help to prepare for District auditions next weekend you may want to take advantage of this opportunity. All lessons will be KHS. Here's what I have available:

9:00
9:30
10:00 Brooke B
10:30 Alex Lo.
11:00 Cameron S
11:30 Blake S
12:00 Connor H
12:30 Cole B
1:00   Jack B
2:00
2:30
3:00

Please email me your three preferred time slots and I'll do my best to honor your request. If you may need a ride to get to KHS for our lesson, let me know and I'll try to find a ride to help your child.

Thank you!

Lessons 8/12-8/16

Updated 8/12 10:00 pm

Hello!

This is a busy week for all percussionists in the KHS cluster. There's the KHS Summer Band still going on, ISMS percussionists will be participating in their band camp, and BCI students will be attending their beginner camp! I'm going to be available every day this week but locations will vary.

You'll notice many slots pre-filled; this is so I can see my KHS students that I've been unable to see the past two weeks. These students will simply be pulled out of sectionals.

My ISMS students have permission from the ISMS directors to have their lesson during the camp on Thursday. I'll let you know exactly when your lesson will be on Wednesday.

As always, please let me know your three preferred time slots so I can use my Jedi Scheduling Skills. Thank you!

Monday 8/12 (KHS)

9:00   KHS Pit

9:30   KHS Pit

10:00 KHS Pit

10:30 KHS Pit

11:00 KHS Pit

11:30 KHS Pit

12:00 KHS Battery

12:30 KHS Battery

2:00   BCI Beginner Camp

Tuesday 8/13 (K HIGH S) NEW!!!!!

9:00   Anna M

9:30   Megan B

10:00 Cameron C

10:30 Rheagan K 

11:00 Kristofer E

11:30 Nikel E

12:00 Andrew F

12:30 Carter B

2:00   BCI Beginner Camp

Wednesday 8/14 (KHS)

9:00   Bryce W

9:30   Bryce W

10:00 Nick A

10:30 Nick B

11:00 Jack B

11:30 Jack B

12:00 Clare S

12:30 Clare S

1:00   Jordan K

1:30   Jordan K

2:00   Luke D

2:30   Jared T

3:00   Jingun K

3:30   

Thursday 8/15 (ISMS)

9:00

9:30

10:00 

10:30 

11:00 

11:30

12:00 Cyrus A

12:30 Brooke B

1:00   Noah M

1:30   Cameron S

2:00   Morgan S

2:30   Garrett M

3:00   Logan S

3:30   Sydney S

Friday 8/16 (KHS)

9:00   Eric F

9:30   Matt B

10:00 

10:30 Alex S

11:00 Alex S

11:30

12:00

12:30

1:00   Garrett C

1:30

2:00

2:30

3:00

3:30

Lessons for 8/5-8/9

Updated 8/6 9:40pm

I hope everyone has had a great weekend! Lessons and camp were great this past week, and I'm excited to get started with another great week! I got a lot of good feedback about being at KMS during the band camp so I'll do that again this week. I'm also going to be at KHS two full days to help with crowding. My perfect plan would be to have all my KMS/BCI students meet on Tuesday so I can have as many ISMS/SKI and KHS students as possible the other days while I'm at KHS. I'll do my best to accommodate all requests so don't freak out if you're not a KMS'er and need a Tuesday lesson! All I ask of everyone is to send me your three preferred time slots so I can do my scheduling magic.

For my KHS students, I didn't get a chance to see most of you last week. I'll do whatever I can to get you this week. I've cleared it with Mr. Chapple to pull you out of sectionals in the morning so we can get some work in.

Lastly, all incoming 7th and 8th graders SHOULD have the All-Region Audition music. If you do not, please let me know so I can send you the three pieces. This is important to me every year but not for what you think...I don't care how awesome you get these pieces to sound! All I care about is you learning the music because it is a great vehicle to challenge you to improve your skills. The benefit of getting better is earning the right to play better parts in band, and that's what it's all about, right? This year's music is very accessible for even 7th graders to play, and if it looks challenging, don't worry! We have plenty of time to learn how to read, count and eventually play this new music.

Thanks as always for allowing me to continue to teach your children every week; I hope they've noticed marked improvement and enjoyment this summer!

Tuesday 8/6 (KMS)

9:00   Cameron C
9:30   Connor H
10:00 Alex S
10:30 Keenan K
11:00 Carter B
11:30 Logan S
12:00 Nick A
12:30 Nick B
1:00   Kristofer E
1:30   Nikel E
2:00   Jared T
2:30   Andrew F
3:00   Jingun K
3:30   Luke D

Wednesday 8/7 (KHS)

9:00   Alex L
9:30   Cameron S
10:00 Morgan S
10:30 David J
11:00 Rheagan K
11:30 Rheagan K
12:00 Garrett M
12:30 Logan S
1:00   Noah M
1:30   Noah M
2:00   Cyrus A
2:30   Eric F
3:00   Bryce W
3:30

Friday 8/9 (KHS)

9:00
9:30  
10:00 Sydney S
10:30 Sydney S
11:00
11:30
12:00
12:30
1:00   Brooke B
1:30
2:00
2:30
3:00
3:30
4:00
4:30

Lessons for 7/29-8/2

Updated 7/29 10:00pm

I hope all the high schoolers are enjoying their last full weekend of freedom before drumline season starts up this week! Since drum camp is starting I'm doing a modified schedule for the coming week. I am also not scheduling anyone for tomorrow so I can stay home to help my under-the-weather wife (that's why I've been so late in posting this, along with the possibility of some appointments tomorrow to help her feel better). Also, I am teaching Tuesday at KMS to help out with families that have students attending the band camp that afternoon. I've communicated with Mr. Maus about doing lessons in conjunction with the camp and he is happy to have students in lessons at the same time. I hope this will help some of you in scheduling lessons this week.

Here's my schedule:

Tuesday July 30 (KMS)
9:30   Ethan S
10:00 Ethan S
10:30 Matt B
11:00 Nikel E
11:30 Kristofer E
12:00 Garrett C
12:30 Carter B
1:00   Nick A
1:30   Keenan K
2:00   Andrew F
2:30   Jingun K
3:00   Logan S
3:30   Cameron S
4:00   Shawn C

Wednesday July 31 KHS
12:10 Noah M
12:40 Cameron L
1:10   Connor H

Thursday August 1 KHS
12:30 Morgan S
1:00   Clare S
1:30   Clare S
2:00   Garrett M
2:30   Cameron C
3:00   Eric F
3:30   Hunter N

Friday August 2 KHS
12:00 Blake W
12:30 Bryce W
1:00   Bryce W
1:30   Colton H
2:00   David J
2:30   Dean O
3:00   Cyrus A
3:30   Gabe S

Lessons 7/22-7/26

4th draft, almost set! Updated 7/24, 12:25am

Hello from my hometown of San Antonio!

We made it safe and sound after a nice drive through a few rain showers, Austin traffic and a cool sight of a hawk diving to get dinner in the median of the highway. We have some BBQ, Tex-Mex and barbacoa to eat, family to see, and Sea World to visit for this week. (If you're not familiar with barbacoa, don't look it up, because, well, it's kind of gross; it's like the 9th Level of being a Texan.)

Since I'm out of town I won't be able to respond very quickly to emails until Tuesday. I'll update my schedule each night but will confirm with each of you by Tuesday night. Also, since I'm only doing two full days of lessons I may not have time for 60 minutes for everyone, so be prepared for 30 minute lessons this week if necessary.

Thursday July 25

9:00    Megan B
9:30    Garrett C
10:00  Matt B
10:30  Matt L
11:00  Bryce W
11:30  Logan S
12:00  Nate G
12:30  Noah M
1:00   Rheagan K
1:30   Rheagan K
2:00   Nick S
2:30   Gabe S
3:00   Jack B
3:30   Jingun K
4:00   Garrett M
4:30   Hunter N

Friday July 26

9:00   Shawn C
9:30   Colton H
10:00 Cameron C
10:30 Cole B

11:00 Carter B
11:30 Jared T
12:00 Blake W
12:30 Connor H
1:00   Nick B
1:30  
2:00   Cameron S
2:30   Andrew F
3:00   Alex L

Thanks for your patience this week!

Lessons 7/15-7/19

Updated 7/15, 11:10pm

I hope everyone has been having a great weekend! I'm available a bit more this week than last. This week will also be the first lesson in a new cycle for all but a handful of students. I will be able to do 60-minute lessons for almost everyone, although it may not be every week that I have room for that for every student. As always, my KHS students get priority for scheduling lessons, then everyone else. I'll provide more details in each response to schedule requests.

Lastly, I'd like to remind everyone about scheduling and pricing policies as we enter the second full cycle of lessons. There are times that I may be running behind for whatever reason, but we will do a full 30-minute lesson. If not, I'll let you know individually and give a credit for whatever missed time we've accumulated. If a student is late or absent from a lesson I am afraid I can't reschedule for that day if my schedule is full. I ask that if your child will be late or will miss a lesson, to please notify me by the night before so I can try to rearrange my schedule accordingly. I've made arrangements recently to come in early or on my scheduled off-days to do make-ups but it's starting to take a toll on me! I've worked out my weekly schedule with my family and if I change that to accommodate makeups more often our family time will suffer even more...So, I'm extending my hours this week for lessons but if we can't fit in a lesson, we'll have to try next week. Also, I've had many families ask about payment arrangements different than $68 or $120 per cycle. I'm happy to work with you on an individual basis! However, if your child will only miss a week in a cycle I ask that you still pay for four lessons in advance. This will help me plan our family budget for the coming month and ensure that my record-keeping is as streamlined as possible. 

Ok, that's it! As always, let me know if you have any questions or concerns and I'll do my best to answer!

Here's what I have for this coming week:

Monday 7/15

9:00

9:30   Matthew B

10:00 Clare S

10:30 Clare S

11:00 Alex L

11:30 Alex L

12:00 Zach S

12:30 Zach S

1:00   Bryce W

1:30   Bryce W

2:00   Keenan K

2:30   Jack B

3:00   Jack B

3:30   Kevin H

4:00   Andrew F

4:30   Andrew F

5:00   

Tuesday 7/16

9:00   Megan B

9:30   Connor H

10:00 Andrew K

10:30 Ethan S

11:00 Jared T

11:30 Garrett C

12:00 Garrett C

12:30

1:00   Hunter G

1:30   Cameron C

2:00   Nate G

2:30   Nate G

3:00   

3:30   Anna M

4:00   Shawn C

4:30   Mitch J

5:00   David J

Thursday 7/18

9:00   Morgan S

9:30   Nick S

10:00 Nikel E

10:30 Kristofer E

11:00 Colton H

11:30 Logan S

12:00 Logan S

12:30 Noah M

1:00   Noah M

1:30   Garrett M

2:00   Rheagan K

2:30   Rheagan K

3:00   Jingun K

(Hey! Go see the drum corps show in Denton tonight! I'll be there! If you can't get tickets, go anyway...it's a great learning opportunity to watch the best drumlines and front ensembles in the world warm up and do their thing!)

Friday 7/19

11:00 Eric F
11:30 Hunter N

12:00 Alex S

12:30 Alex S

1:00   Cameron L

1:30   Carter B

2:00   Cole B

2:30   Cole B

3:00   Blake W

3:30   Blake W

Lessons for 7/8-7/12

Updated 7/7/13 11:00pm

I hope everyone has had a great weekend along with a safe and enjoyable Independence Day holiday! Time to get back to some great improvement...

This week will begin a new lesson cycle for a lot of students. If you are unsure if this applies to you please ask. Some will not begin a new cycle until next week. We'll get squared away soon enough.

As always, please let me know what your three preferred slots are, and I'll do my best!

Monday July 8
9:00   Ethan S
9:30   Ethan S
10:00 Clare S
10:30 Garrett C
11:00 Jordan K
11:30 Jordan K
12:00 Jack B
12:30 Jack B
1:00   Zach S
1:30   Zach S
2:00   Sydney S
2:30   Sydney S
3:00   Cameron L

Tuesday July 9
9:00   Matt B
9:30   Garrett M
10:00 Andrew K
10:30 Andrew K
11:00 Jordan C
11:30 Matt L
12:00 Matt L
12:30 Nick A
1:00   Alex L
1:30   Bryce W
2:00   Megan B
2:30   Megan B
3:00   Anna M

3:30   Kevin H

Thursday July 11
2:00  Rheagan K
2:30  Rheagan K
3:00  Nicholas B
3:30  Alex S
4:00  Alex S
4:30  Nate G
5:00  Nate G
5:30  David J

Friday July 12
1:00  Brooke B
1:30  Cole B
2:00  Cole B
2:30  Carter B
3:00  Andrew F
3:30  Andrew F
4:00  Connor H

Lessons for week of 7/1

Updated 7/1 4:30pm, subject to change...

Hello everyone,

Another great week of lessons is in the books and we had a great time. Keep working on our projects and exercises so we can continue improving and getting ready for next year!

Next week is the annual KISD campus shutdown. We'll still be able to get in the building but air conditioning may not be on while we're in there. If that's the case I'll have fans on us to make things comfortable. Think of it as Pre-Modern-Era-Appreciation-Week. I'll only be teaching 1.5 days, and because of that I'll bump down to 30-minute lessons for everyone unless I have room. Also, please remember I'm giving priority to KHS students first, so not everyone will be able to get a lesson this week.

Tuesday 7/2

9:00   Matthew B
9:30   Ethan S
10:00 Garrett C
10:30 Jordan C
11:00 Cole B
11:30 Carter B
12:00 Eric F
12:30 Alex S
1:00   Keenan K
1:30   Garrett M
2:00   Gabe S
2:30   Noah M
3:00   Bryce W
3:30   Jingun K
4:00   Jared T
4:30   David J

Wednesday 7/3

9:00   Matt L
9:30   Nicholas B
10:00 Cameron S (T/W bf 12)
10:30 Hunter N
11:00 Colton H
11:30 Cameron L

Email me if you're interested in a time slot and I'll do my best to accommodate! Have a great weekend!

Lessons 6/24-6/27 (Updated 2:30 pm 6/24)

Thanks to everyone for another great week of lessons! We got a lot of music and exercises copied, set goals, worked on plans to improve, and even had a little fun. Here's to another great week ahead!

I'm adding a few new students this week so my schedule is getting tighter by the week. It is possible that I may have to change some of my current 60-minute students down to 30-minutes if I don't have enough space for everyone. My priority will always be KHS students, followed by everyone else. We'll work these situations out on a case-by-case basis. 

Here's what I have available for the upcoming week:

Monday June 24

9:00   Bryce W

9:30   Bryce W

10:00 Clare S

10:30 Clare S

11:00 Hunter N

11:30 Hunter N

12:00 Brooke B

12:30 Cameron L

1:00   Jingun K

1:30   Jingun K

2:00   Garrett C

2:30   Garrett C

3:00   Gabe S

3:30   Jacob J

Tuesday June 25

9:00   Ethan S

9:30   Ethan S

10:00 Nick A

10:30 Kristofer E

11:00 Nikel E

11:30 Cole B

12:00 Cole B

12:30 Carter B

1:00   Hunter G

1:30   Connor H

2:00   Zach S

2:30   Zach S

3:00   Matt L

3:30   Alex L

Wednesday June 26

9:00   Shawn C

9:30   Matt L

10:00 Nick S

10:30 Cameron S

11:00 Jared T

11:30 Jared T

12:00 Garrett M

12:30 Trey B

1:00   Eric F

1:30   Jack B

2:00   Jack B

2:30   Noah M

3:00   Noah M

3:30   Andrew F

Thursday June 27

11:00 Andrew F

11:30 Rheagan K

12:00 Rheagan K

12:30 Logan S

1:00   Colton H

1:30   Dean O

2:00   Morgan S

2:30   Keenan K

3:00   Anna M

3:30   Jordan K

Please email me with your three preferred slots and length, and I'll do my best! Thank you!

New Thursday slots!

(Updated 10:45am 6/19)

I've got a lot of people who are unable to find times for lessons this week so I'll make myself available for Thursday! Just email me what you prefer and I'll try to get you there.

Thursday 6/20
9:30   Nick S
10:00 Andrew F
10:30
11:00 Matt B
11:30 
12:00 Rheagan K
12:30 Rheagan K
1:00
1:30
2:00   Kevin H
2:30   Kevin H
3:00   Jingun K
3:30

Friday 6/21
9:00   David J
9:30   Carter B
10:00 Cole B
10:30 Cole B
11:00 Jake B
11:30 Jack B
12:00 Jack B
1:00   Eric F
1:30   Connor H
2:00   Megan B
2:30   Megan B

Saturday 6/22
10:00 Keenan K
10:30 Zach S
11:00 Zach S
11:30 Nate G
12:00 Nate G
12:30 Mallorie G
1:00   Sydney S
1:30   Sydney S
2:00   Garrett M
2:30

Lessons for 6/17-6/22: Way Different! (Updated)

<Updated 8:40pm Sunday 6/16>

What a great first week! I had a blast working with everyone and meeting a lot of great parents. I know a lot of you are just now getting back from a first week trip so this will be the first week we can meet. Remember I'm a single dad for the week until Friday, so my availability is drastically different. I need to be finished early Tuesday so I can get my daughter ready for dance class, so wish me luck! Another change is that I will teach Friday and Saturday to help make up for missing Wednesday and Thursday. As always, my priority for scheduling is high school>>>middle school>>>everyone else. Please email me with your three preferred slots and I'll do my best to accommodate. Thanks!

Monday 6/17
9:00   Bryce W
9:30   Bryce W
10:00 Clare S
10:30 Clare S
11:00 Shawn C
11:30 Shawn C
12:00 Blake W
12:30 Blake W
1:00   Garrett C
1:30   Garrett C
2:00   Brooke B
2:30   Graham A
3:00   Matt L
3:30   Matt L
4:00   Alex L

Tuesday 6/18
9:00   Cameron L
9:30   Ethan S
10:00 Ethan S
10:30 Andrew F
11:00 Jordan C
11:30 Anna M
12:00 Trey B
12:30
1:00
1:30
2:00   Noah M
2:30   Noah M
3:00   Jingun K

Friday 6/21
9:00   David J
9:30   Carter B
10:00 Cole B
10:30 Cole B
11:00 Jake B
11:30 Jack B
12:00 Jack B
1:00   Eric F
1:30   Connor H
2:00   Megan B
2:30   Megan B

Saturday 6/22
10:00 Keenan K
10:30 Zach S
11:00 Zach S
11:30 Nate G
12:00 Nate G
12:30 Mallorie G
1:00   Sydney S
1:30   Sydney S
2:00
2:30

Summer 2013 Lessons! We start Monday June 10...(UPDATED)

<Updated 12:00am Wednesday 6/12>

Wow, this year went by fast, huh? I've gotten a ton of lesson forms in and in the middle of getting ready for my daughter's 2nd birthday party and the end of school, I'm trying to get a schedule out for lessons.

Lessons will begin Monday June 10 at KHS. My schedule for June is kind of wonky because of a few trips and a camp my wife will be working for a whole week, but I will do my best to see everyone each week you're in town.

You will see below my available slots for the week of June 10. Let me know your three preferred slots that are listed as open and I will do my best to accommodate requests. I will prioritize all requests in the following order:
1. HS students who took lessons with me this past year
2. MS students who took lessons with me this past year
3. HS students
4. Everyone else
This priority sequence will allow me to fill my schedule with as many students as possible while still being able to accommodate most requests. Also, due to the large number of students this summer, I will not be able to do 45-minute lessons, only 30- or 60-minute lessons. If there are more 60-minute lesson requests than I have slots, I will keep my HS students at 60-minutes and then follow the priority list for the rest.

The cost for lessons is $17/30-minute lesson, $30 for a 60-minute lesson and $30 for two 30-minute lessons a week. To simplify my budgeting this year I ask that four lessons be paid in advance no matter the length of time of our lesson. If you will be taking one 30-minute lesson a week, four lessons in advance is $68. Four 60-minute lessons is $120. Students taking two 30-minute lessons a week will also pay $120 for four weeks' worth of lessons. Lastly, families that have more than one child in lessons with me will pay the 60-minute lessons rate for a total of $120 each cycle.

Please email your requests to cristian.alcocer AT gmail.com as soon as you can. I will update this page this weekend as time allows (my daughter's birthday party is this weekend and we have a lot of activities planned!).

Here's what I have available for the first week of lessons:

Monday June 10
9:00   Bryce W
9:30   Bryce W
10:00 Clare S
10:30 Clare S
11:00 Sydney S
11:30 Sydney S
12:00 Zach S
12:30 Zach S
1:00
1:30  Cameron S
2:00  Brooke B
2:30  Graham A
3:00  Jack B
3:30  Jack B
4:00  Jingun K
4:30  Rheagan K

Tuesday June 11
9:00  Ethan S
9:30  Ethan S
10:00 Garrett C
10:30 Garrett C
11:00 Alex L
11:30 Alex L
12:00
12:30 Keenan K
1:00   Nate G
1:30   Nate G
2:00
2:30
3:00

Wednesday June 12
10:00 Matt L
10:30 Matt L
11:00 Jared T
11:30 Jared T
12:00 Jordan C
12:30 Cameron L
1:00   Connor H
1:30
2:00
2:30
3:00
3:30
4:00
4:30 Mallory G
5:00
5:30  David J
6:00
6:30

Thursday June 13
9:00
9:30
10:00
10:30 Colton H
11:00 Keenan K
11:30 Matt B
12:00
12:30
1:00  Morgan S
1:30  Morgan S
2:00
2:30
3:00 Jingun K

Thank you!

Going to San Antonio for vacation? Read this!

I get a lot of questions from my lesson families about my hometown of San Antonio around Spring Break and Summer. I figured I'd just copy from an email I sent out recently and let everyone in on this native San Antonian's view:

Mi Tierra is a San Antonio landmark and tourist favorite. It's the only place that's popular downtown that I'll agree to go to when with out of town friends/family. They have an authentic panaderia which is a Mexican bakery. It's kind of overpriced but the food is really good. Just don't go after 10pm or so because then the clientele gets...different.

You'll have the second best burger you've ever had at Chris Madrid's, located on the near-northside. It's in the middle of an older neighborhood and looks like a dive but it's fantastic. I always get the Macho Cheddar Cheesy and add pico de gallo. They also have great nachos. Another San Antonio favorite is Chester's, with multiple locations along the north side. I've yet to find fries that rival this place.

Try La Fogata, which is a pretty decent Tex-Mex place not too far from Chris Madrid's. I recommend it to anyone who hasn't gotten a good taste of Tex-Mex outside of the Riverwalk. I don't personally prefer it over my local favorites, but my wife really liked it and so do many of my friends from out of town.

You must go to Rosario's, our favorite Mexican place. It's not traditional Tex-Mex but has become a San Antonio landmark in less than ten years. We had our rehearsal dinner there and my sister did too! I always get whatever's on special, my wife gets the enchiladas, and you can't go wrong with their fish tacos or anything on the menu, really.

Two Bros. BBQ near the airport is the best in town. Bonus: there's a good Mexican place next door! Anthony Bourdain eats at Two Bros every time he's in town. The brisket is top-notch.

I also can't let anyone visit San Antonio without making them get some ice cream at Amy's Ice Cream in the Quarry. It's great, even though the workers there could also work at Freebird's.

And lastly is my favorite restaurant in San Antonio, just for sentimental childhood memories: Alamo Cafe. I love the chicken fried steak but my wife loves the Mexican food there. Everyone goes crazy for the tortillas. You can't go wrong here. There are two locations, and this one north of the airport is the newest one.

One last tip: From DFW to San Antonio can take quite a while by car. Avoid some headaches by taking the new Toll SH130 around the east side of Austin. The toll road is 85mph for almost 80 miles. It dumps you out near Seguin just east of San Antonio but it saves you a ridiculous amount of time and frustration just by avoiding Austin. (This road will also take you to my all-time favorite BBQ heaven, Lockhart, TX. Go to Kreuz Market for the best sausage you'll ever have. Brisket, while not the best in the state, can be face-punchingly incredible. Black's, Smitty's, Kreuz, Chisholm Trail...you can't go wrong.)

Ok I'm done. Feel free to email or text me with any questions you may have about my wonderful hometown of San Antonio. Have a great Spring Break!

Spring Break Lessons!

Hello everyone,

l hope everyone's ready for a week of awesome family time; my family is already whiling away a weekend in east Texas.

If you're in town this Spring Break I'll be available for lessons on TUESDAY and THURSDAY at Keller HS from 9am to 4pm. Hopefully for many of your children we can take advantage of this week to get caught up from a few missed lessons due to UIL Contest, early-release and school holidays. (Apologies if you're receiving this and you won't be in town this week.) I've told many of my middle school students that this week would be a great week to select a solo for contest coming up next month. They're excited about this!

If you'd like to seize this opportunity for lessons, please respond with your three preferred day/time slots and I'll do my best to accomodate everyone's wishes.

Thank you for continuing lessons, and thank you for allowing your children to learn to love this wonderful gift of music!