Appleton Brass
Matt D.
Brass
Offering In-Person and Virtual Instruction
Matt teaches trumpet, (French) horn, trombone, baritone and tuba. He enjoys working with beginners through advanced students of all ages. Matt’s teaching style is flexible and he aims to accommodate students with what they need the most, whether it is learning to read music, preparing for solo and ensemble, strengthening tone, or anything the student may want to work on. Matt likes to improve students’ skills in a comfortable progression by using whichever music and materials will help the most and be interesting to the student.
Matt has been playing horn since he was in elementary school and currently performs with the Fox Valley Horn Choir and Appleton City Band as well other area ensembles. He has a degree in music education from UW Stevens Point and teaches band in the Appleton Area School District.
Dave S.
Low Brass
Offering In-Person and Virtual Instruction
In May of 1985, Dave Sawall received the big call to perform Bass Trombone with The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra under the direction of famed trombonist Buddy Morrow. He toured throughout the U.S., Canada, and Japan for 4 ½ years and in 1987 he had the opportunity to perform at the famous Palladium Ballroom in Hollywood with Mel Torme, Jack Jones, Maureen McGovern, and famed jazz drummer Buddy Rich on a live P.B.S. television special called “Sentimental Swing.” (A Tribute to Tommy Dorsey) This show was history making, because it was Buddy Rich’s last performance before he suffered a stroke days after and eventually died. After leaving the Tommy Dorsey Band Dave performed a 4-month tour on trombone with the Glenn Miller Orchestra.
Currently Dave is a top call trombonist at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in Appleton. He has performed for many New York touring Broadway shows including The Producers, Beauty and the Beast, Lion King, West Side Story, and Wicked. He has also performed for many celebrities including Bobby Vinton, Franki Valli, Kenny Rogers, Wayne Newton, Johnny Mathis, Marie Osmond, Manhattan Transfer, Frank Sinatra Jr, Don Rickles, Bob Newhart, The Temptations, The Four Tops, and Aretha Franklin to name a few. Even though Dave resides in Appleton he also performs in Milwaukee and Chicago as well. Dave has 30 years teaching experience as well and is happy to join the teaching staff at Heid Music.
Theresa G.
Brass
Offering In-Person and Virtual Instruction
Hi, I’m Theresa! I teach brass instruments such as trumpet for any age and experience level, and trombone and baritone for beginning students. I practice student centered teaching which means that your goals and passions are what we will work on. From classical to jazz to pop and rock, whatever you are interested in we can explore together. I am excited to help you continue to expand your passion for music and grow into the best brass player you can be!
I earned my bachelor’s degrees in Trumpet Performance, Music Education, and Spanish from Lawrence University. I have won Downbeat awards as part of Lawrence University’s Jazz Band and Jazz Ensemble for Best Collegiate Latin Jazz Band and Best Collegiate Jazz Ensemble. I have been section leader and principal player in many classical ensembles, performed in multiple chamber music groups, contemporary music, and folk and indie bands. I have participated in performance seminars like the Atlantic Brass Quintet Seminar, and Fresh Inc through the Fifth House Ensemble.
Teaching is a true passion of mine and I have been able to share my love of music with students of all ages. I have taught band and general music in the Fox Valley as well as private brass lessons in Iowa, where I am from originally. I have been a workshop leader for the Building For Kids summer camp providing instruction in music, I am a part of the Mile of Music Education Team, I have mentored students in the Oshkosh Youth Symphony, and I am the trumpet coach for the Fox Valley Symphony’s program Sinfonia
