Clynt Yerkes

Clynt Yerkes is an experienced trumpet player and teacher with a diverse background in jazz, classical, and commercial music who holds a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas.  He is experienced as a private teacher in both the classical and jazz idioms, as well as in a variety of world music and popular music genres.

As a teacher, Clynt attributes the success of his students in all styles to his own pursuit of a thorough knowledge of how brass players function stylistically in ensembles from orchestra to jazz band.  He is familiar with the solo and chamber music literature that junior high, high school, and college students will encounter in auditions or in preparing for competitions and recitals. His jazz and improvisation students are instructed with an emphasis on repertory, style by period, chord/scale relationships, and jazz harmony with an emphasis on vocabulary in the bebop idiom.  He believes that in either the jazz or classical styles, attention to repertory must be given with regard to time period and writing style of the composer.

I am of the belief that efficient use of air is the cure for the ails of almost any young brass player, but I also know how to handle many other special technical problems while generally employing the recognized methods for brass.

Clynt has prepared both high school and junior high school students to achieve at the highest levels -- whether it be in making the top ensemble at their respective school, taking regional auditions for drum corps or jazz ensembles, or earning recognition at chamber music and solo competitions.  He also makes learning fun for students of any level or experience.

Get Started with BML to set up a lesson with Clynt.