Applied Lessons

Nick has recently been appointed Adjunct Instructor of Saxophone and the University of Arkansas — Fort Smith. At UAFS, Nick teaches applied lessons as well as chamber music. He also maintains a private studio in the Arkansas River Valley area. His private lessons explore all aspects of not only the saxophone, but also music theory and history. Mr. Suosso’s lessons include pedagogy and the mechanics of saxophone playing, technical exercises, artistic interpretations of etudes and repertoire, along with listening assignments of great musicians of all backgrounds, music theory, and history of the saxophone in popular and classical music. He believes that it is important to not only teach music, but foster creative thinking, problem solving, and self reflection as a way to better interact with the world around us. These skills are transferrable to any discipline, and are an important aspect of growing as a musician and person.

Sectionals and Masterclasses

Mr. Suosso is available to run sectionals or present masterclasses in the Arkansas River Valley region. He has presented masterclasses throughout New England, Northern Colorado, and the River Valley. Small ensemble section instruction provides an invaluable place to discuss topics of balance, articulation, and blend to young musicians. With his background in various classroom settings and music education, Nick can work with young students from both woodwind and brass families to work on rhythm, articulation, balance, and group playing.

Saxophone masterclass topics include:

• A Guide to Fundamentals: a session dedicated to saxophone technique including embouchure, mouthpiece exercises, the overtone series, and tone production.

• Audition Prep: A guide to preparing for any audition from their fall band audition, All-State Band auditions, and college prep. Helpful tips to put their best foot forward, and expectations of excellence.

Institutions Nick has presented masterclasses or run sectionals include: the Northern Colorado Honor Band, Loveland and Mountain View High School in Loveland, CO, Poudre High School and Preston Middle School in Fort Collins, CO, the UMass Honor Band, Spaulding High School in Rochester, New Hampshire, and the New Hampshire Youth Band in Durham, New Hampshire.

Public School

Nick is certified in K-12 music education in Arkansas, Colorado, and New Hampshire with a Bachelors of Music Education from the University of New Hampshire. The arts are an essential subject at any institution. The skills we teach in music are not just playing the right notes at the right time; they are collaboration, problem solving, creative thinking, self reflection, discipline. These are tools that students carry with them for life. He firmly believes that music in our schools are vitally important to students’ development as thoughtful members of society.

Nick currently teaches music at County Line Elementary School in Branch, Arkansas. His classes center around creating and exploring music and how we can work together to create something new! Mr. Suosso’s students sing, dance, move, play instruments, and use technology in pursuit of creating and collaboration. Recently, Mr. Suosso has completed Music Will training for Modern Band and is excited to start incorporating those methods in his classroom through class ukulele!