Category Archives: Flute

Joel Stevens

SAX, FLUTE, PIANO, GUITAR, UKULELE, BASS

Joel received his degree in saxophone performance from Portland State University. During his undergrad career, Joel studied with many instructors for several instruments including George Colligan, Kerry Politzer, Yoko Miyama, and Loretta Keizer for piano; Rob Scheps, John Gross, Gary Harris, David Evans, Clark Bondy, David Valdez, and John Nastos for saxophone; Dr. Sydney Carlson, Gary Harris, David Evans, and David Valdez for flute; and Neal Grandstaff, Jack Hopfinger, and Erik Crew for guitar.

Other professors of music taught Joel various music related disciplines such as theory, history, composition, arranging, ear training, aural skills, and repertoire studies. These professors include Lars Campbell, Charlie Grey, Charlie Doggett, Tom Wakeling, Kevin Deitz, Darrell Grant, Derrick Sims, Dave Mills, and Dave Fleschner.

Alongside his collegiate studies, Joel also received instruction from the Alan Jones Academy of Music. His tuition was waived by earning a scholarship for inscribing Jones’ music into music notation software.

Joel has his own musical group known as The Joel Stevens Quartet but he is not limited to performances with just these members. Joel has been a sideman for many groups spanning over various genres including Tristan Selzier’s Jazz Syndicate, Hot Tea Cold, Space Leach, DTW, The Neal Stadley Group, The Dan Hess Blues Band, and The Hank Will Quartet as well as many others.

Joel’s philosophy on music teaching reflects his own history. Joel started music late in comparison to his peers thus having to work very hard to overcome the time lost from the lack of practice before going into music school. Joel played some guitar and saxophone in high school; however, his abilities were extremely limited showing zero promise or skill until later in his college career. He strongly believes that if he can do it anyone can and that talent is nothing more than a pursued passion. Utilizing the variety of teaching methods Joel witnessed firsthand from his many music teachers, he can accurately assess the needs of almost any student, young or old, and put them on a path to success.

Jen Slowey

French Horn, Trumpet, Piano, Flute, Clarinet

Jen started her musical career at the age of 9, but couldn’t decide what to play, so just jumped right in to lessons on the french horn, flute and piano. Jen played in the high school jazz band, but they wouldn’t let her in as a French Hornist, so she also learned trumpet just to fit in. French Horn quickly became her passion, and she graduated from Ithaca College with a Bachelor’s degree in Music.

She spent several years living abroad and playing trumpet with a country bluegrass band in the French Alps, as well as playing horn with the local orchestra (which included 3 Swiss Alp Horns!). She relocated to Truckee in 2013 and has been teaching lessons here at Split Rock and playing with the Reno Pops Orchestra. She loves sharing her love of brass, and music in general with students and thinks the world is a better place with more cowbell.

Eric Johnson

Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, and Piano

Eric Johnson is an Oregon native who’s first instrument was guitar, playing in rock bands through high school before studying Jazz Saxophone at the university level. Eric has a bachelors in Jazz performance from the University of Oregon and a masters in Improvisation from the University of Nevada Reno. While studying with Peter Epstein and Adam Benjamin from Kneebody, Eric recorded an album of original compositions that is due for release in October.

Eric teaches Saxophone (Alto, Tenor, Bari, and Soprano), and a variety of stringed instruments inlcuding Guitar, Bass, and Ukelele. His main musical interest is Jazz and traditional Jamaican music, but enjoys a wide variety of styles including rock, folk, and pop music.