
THE BERRY BAND
established 1994
Private Lesson Program
Private lessons are a fantastic way to ensure your child’s success and enjoyment in band. Students who study privately progress so much more quickly due to the individualized and specialized instruction that the private teacher is able to provide. The most successful band programs can trace their success back to the fact that a large percentage of their students take private lessons on their instruments, and this is the sort of band program that Berry is are capable of having. Students in private lessons not only tend to advance at a faster rate but also achieve a higher level of performance and enjoyment from music. Many of the instructors can teach lessons during the school day at Berry to better accommodate the busy schedule of our students and families. Also, many of the instructors offer “Facetime/Zoom” video lessons to students established on their instrument. Beginner instruction is best in a face to face method until the proper habits are routine for our newest musicians.
Below is a list of recommended private teachers. The price for lessons will vary from teacher to teacher. Please make sure that if your child does study privately (with someone not on this list) it should be with someone who is proficient on the instrument that he/she is teaching.
RECOMMENDED PRIVATE LESSON INSTRUCTORS
FLUTE
Tammi Powell 205-533-3333 tammi@tapthebeat.com (teaches at Berry during school hours/private studio located in Hoover)
Barbara Harrington 205-266-6125 barbnsteve34@gmail.com (studio near Berry Middle School/teaches at Berry)
Brian Hodges 205-725-0510 woodwindhodges@gmail.com (SPHS/Berry instructor)
OBOE
Kelly Newport 205-424-8712 oboist.kn@gmail.com (teaches at Berry during school hours)
BASSOON
Alex Zdanis 858-735-0973 (studio at Gadsden Music)
Dwight Houston 205-527-4756 dwighthouston@hotmail.com (studio at Art’s Music)
CLARINET
Sandra Hill sjohill@bellsouth.net (teaches at Berry during school hours)
Brian Hodges 205-725-0510 woodwindhodges@gmail.com (SPHS/Berry instructor)
Denise Gainey 205-975-0558 clarinet@uab.edu (clarinet professor at UAB)
Tabitha Robinson tabitharobinson09@gmail.com
Cheryl O’Brien 205-4825037 cherylleeobrien@gmail.com
SAXOPHONE
Brian Hodges 205-725-0510 woodwindhodges@gmail.com (SPHS/Berry instructor)
Sandra Hill sjohill@bellsouth.net (teaches at Berry during school hours)
Gary Wheat 205-586-5078
Dwight Houston 205-527-4756 dwighthouston@hotmail.com (studio at Art’s Music)
TRUMPET
Linda Warburton 912-424-2395 bamabrass2@yahoo.com (teaches at Berry during school hours)
Kris Lindley klindley@hoover.k12.al.us (music teacher/specialist at RES)
Dr. Joseph Ardovino 205-665-6670 ardovinj@montevllo.edu (Director of Bands at the University of Montevallo)
Harry McAfee 205-516-3909 hmcafee@charter.net
FRENCH HORN
Cindy Chambless* 334-224-2039 cynthia.ellen.simpson@gmail.com (Berry sectional teacher)
Rebecca Hudson-Mooney 205-356-5006 hudson34676@gmail.com (studio near Berry Middle School)
Steve Harrington 205-980-5866 barbnsteve34@bellsouth.net (studio near Berry Middle School)
TROMBONE/EUPHONIUM/TUBA
Rowdy Giles* rowdeygiles@gmail.com (SPHS/Berry instructor)
Charlie Mercier 205-821-3906 merciercharlie15@gmail.com
Chad Fisher 205-229-1180 students@chadfishergroup.com
PERCUSSION
Brandon Beck info@bbeckpercussion.com www.bbeckpercussion.com