“Elizabeth’s pleasant, low-key personality, her considerable vocal and instrumental talents, combined with her deep knowledge of music, are matched by her ability to connect with young people and to present materials in a clear and easily understood manner. I have found Ms. Dotson-Westphalen to be not only personable, but also professional and reliable. She has delighted in sharing her passion for jazz with young students and has contributed immeasurably to the success of our residency program.”
- Dedi Firestone, Director, Arts Education, Kupferberg Center for the Performing Arts, Queens College, NYC
PHILOSOPHY
I believe that everyone can be musical, and that music is a powerful tool for building confidence and developing imagination for all of life’s situations!
I focus on the emotional aspects of musicality – storytelling, conversations, and expression. Just as important as playing the right notes is playing them at the right volume, with the right feeling, and with awareness of the other musicians around you. I believe in listening, in singing, and in eye contact. I believe in body movement, and in silence within music. I believe in the instructive power of fun and teamwork, and achieve both through a combination of technical and expressive instruction.
CUSTOMIZE YOUR PACKAGE
- Workshops for musicians
- Group lessons
- Individual coaching
- Guest performer with your band
- Concert of my music
- Lectures/workshops for non-musicians
Appropriate presentations for elementary, middle, and high schools, colleges, community centers, libraries…. or a fun alternative to Powerpoint-filled speeches at your next conference! I’m based in NYC, but travel frequently. Let’s talk about what you’re looking for!
TOPICS
FOR MUSICIANS
- Having a conversation: how to improvise
- Learning the blues: telling a story
- Ensemble playing: repertoire development and refinement
- Sectional playing: technique and blend (specializing in brass, choirs)
- Put it in your body: singing and dancing
- Why practicing isn’t enough: practical music business tips for making a living
- Individual coaching in singing, brass playing, improvising, and performance
FOR MUSICIANS AND NON-MUSICIANS
- How to listen to music
- Jazz history in 4 songs
FOR NON-MUSICIANS
- Anyone can sing the blues!
- What does it mean to improvise? Or… how to have more fun at your job!
- Performance coaching for upcoming events (speeches, presentations, etc.)
BIO
Elizabeth Dotson-Westphalen is a dedicated teacher, committed to helping students gain greater confidence in their lives through music. Since 2005, she has taught students from age 5 to age 60, both individually and in groups as large as 800 rowdy high school students. She is a clinician with the Kupferberg Center in Queens, regularly leading workshops in inner city high schools. She has been an instructor with the Multicultural Music Group’s after-school middle school program in the Bronx, and with MUSICWORKS at Fundacion Brass Band del Ecuador in Quito. She has lived in Brooklyn, NY, since 2000, and has consulted for Fortune 500 companies with Leadership Technologies while simultaneously developing a rich career as a freelance vocalist and trombonist, traveling the world with such acts as Michael Bolton, St. Vincent, and Matt Wilson. She is originally from Vermont, and is the Director of the Vermont Governor’s Institute on the Arts, an intensive summer program for over 100 interested high school students in a range of artistic disciplines. She holds a BA in Psychology from Harvard University, and an MA in Jazz Vocal Performance from Queens College. She is an endorsing artist for Getzen 3508R Custom trombones, and wears sequins as much as possible!
TESTIMONIALS
- “Some of my female students were so impressed by her leadership and her performance on the trombone, that they asked if they could switch their instruments to the trombone.” – G. O. Akindeinde, NYC High School Band Director
- “…an Artist and Teacher of the highest Quality…knowledgeable, helpful and easy to talk with.” – Chris Dickson, NYC High School Band Director
- “…a warm, humorous, and patient teacher.” – Laura Vladimirova, Private Student
- “Elizabeth did a great job working with Woodstock Middle School’s beginner trombonists, many of whom were still trying to decide if the trombone was a ‘cool’ enough instrument choice. After hearing Elizabeth play, they needed no more convincing!” – Michael Zsoldos, University of Vermont affiliate artist
- “She is very good at breaking complicated songs into smaller manageable segments, and then putting it all together in the end. She also pays a lot of attention to the expression and the message of each song that we work on. This made a huge difference in my approach to learning new songs.” – Prashant Kumar, Private Student
- “Besides being a wonderful trombone player, she is a master teacher and ultimate professional. It is always a treat for my students and me to be able to work with her.” – Walter K. Birkhold, NYC High School Music Coordinator
- “Elizabeth’s natural rapport with my students was instant and warm, and she was able to keep every single student in the packed room completely engaged. Her visit to our class was one of the highlights of the year, no question!” – Jane Mauchly, San Francisco Private Elementary School ClassroomTeacher
- “Elizabeth Dotson-Westphalen has conducted several clinics with my Jazz Ensemble. She is an excellent musician, and her positive and friendly manner allows her to quickly develop a rapport with my students. Elizabeth identifies specific things that can make the students better as individual players and as an ensemble. She demonstrates proper technique and style, and then works effectively with the band to get results. My students always look forward to a clinic with Elizabeth because they know it will be fun and productive.” – Peter Lustig, NYC High School Band Director
CONTACT
