Private Lessons - serving Provo and Utah County |
Studio Address:
896 W 2370 N Provo, UT |
Undergraduate TrainingCurtis Winters earned a Bachelors of Music degree in Music Education from Brigham Young University in 1999. During his undergraduate training Mr. Winters studied classical trombone under Dr. Dan Bachelder and jazz improvisation with Dr. Steve Call. He played in the Jazz Legacy Dixieland Band for 3 years, Synthesis (the top Jazz Big Band) for 2 years, and also taught several jazz combos. He toured Europe with Synthesis (under the direction of Dr. Ray Smith) in 1996, performing at the Montreux Jazz Festival and appearing as a soloist on the "Live at Montreux" album.
Mr. Winters also played trombone in the Cougar Marching Band for 4 years, and was Drum Major for an additional 2 years. He studied conducting with Dr. Clynn Barrus and Dr. David Blackinton, and was selected as student conductor of the BYU Symphonic Band. Graduate Work Mr. Winters returned to BYU in 2010 to earn a Master of Music in Music Education, graduating in December of 2012. In coursework with Dr. Rob Dunn he developed a far deeper understanding of how people learn the concepts and skills of music reading and performance. With Dr. Andrew Dabczynski he became more expert in the psychology of music, and Dr. Kirt Saville helped hone his conducting and ensemble teaching skills.
During his graduate studies, Mr. Winters received a prestigious Graduate Research Fellowship, which funded the creation of the Improv Pathways jazz improvisation method. Since that time he has gathered over 6,000 subscribers and 700,000 views on his ImprovPathways channel, and sold method books to thousands of people around the world. |
Professional Work
Mr. Winters taught Band & Orchestra at Orem Junior High for 25 years, helping their top bands and orchestras consistently quality for State Festivals. He accepted the Band Director position at Orem High School in 2023, and is working to build the size and quality of the Orem High Band program.
Creative Works
Mr. Winters has composed and arranged over a dozen songs for the Caleb Chapman Soundhouse, mostly for the Crescent Super Band. Some of these arrangements can be heard on YouTube and various online music platforms, like Someday At Christmas on AppleMusic.
Improv Pathways is a jazz improvisation method consisting of 18 lessons with 6 jazz tunes and 2 CD's that are packed with instructional and play-along tracks. Books can be purchased at www.improvpathways.com.
Mr. Winters also created a complete set of band and orchestra flashcards that help students learn their note names and fingerings on every instrument. StepWise Flashcards may be purchased at www.fingeringcharts.org.
Mr. Winters also created an iPad App and Online Platform for learning notes and fingerings - NinGenius Music (see www.ningenius.net). It is popular with junior high and high school band and orchestra directors all around the country.
Improv Pathways is a jazz improvisation method consisting of 18 lessons with 6 jazz tunes and 2 CD's that are packed with instructional and play-along tracks. Books can be purchased at www.improvpathways.com.
Mr. Winters also created a complete set of band and orchestra flashcards that help students learn their note names and fingerings on every instrument. StepWise Flashcards may be purchased at www.fingeringcharts.org.
Mr. Winters also created an iPad App and Online Platform for learning notes and fingerings - NinGenius Music (see www.ningenius.net). It is popular with junior high and high school band and orchestra directors all around the country.