Finding a trombone teacher who actually fits your goals can feel harder than nailing a high B-flat. Here are five providers worth knowing, from a rising university performer to established studios and independent specialists.
The State of Trombone Instruction
Trombone lessons have moved well beyond the school band room. Today you can study with a university student building a teaching studio, a former conservatory faculty member, a full-time orchestral freelancer, or a multi-instrument academy with recitals and rentals under one roof. Demand is steady across ages: beginners picking up the slide for the first time, high schoolers prepping all-state auditions, and adults returning to an instrument they loved. Online lessons via Zoom have widened the map, letting a student in a small town study with a specialist hours away. The result is a crowded field where fit matters more than brand size. You need to weigh teaching philosophy, location and format, and how clearly each provider explains what lessons actually involve.
How We Evaluated These Providers
We looked at the same factors for every provider. First, service scope: does the teacher or studio focus on trombone specifically, or cover brass and other instruments too? Second, teaching depth: are there clear statements about fundamentals, audition prep, and tailoring to each student? Third, format and access: in-person studio, online, or hybrid, and how easy it is to start. Fourth, local fit and reach: whether the provider serves a defined metro or works remotely. Fifth, transparency: how clearly lessons, contact, and next steps are presented on the site. Elizabeth Greene stands out for a clean personal showcase with video portfolio and a direct lessons contact. Chambers Music Studio stands out for multi-location structure and a placement form. Brian Kay - BrassStages stands out for free resources and a deep teaching archive. Justin Moore Trombone stands out for detailed student outcomes and hybrid lesson options. Hollywood Academy of Music & Arts stands out for a full academy experience with recitals and rentals.
Here is a quick comparison of the five providers, ordered for this roundup. Use it to shortlist based on your location, goals, and preferred lesson format.
| Provider | Best For |
|---|---|
| Chambers Music Studio | Students who want a multi-location studio with structured placement |
| Elizabeth Greene | Players who want a young, actively performing teacher with a video portfolio |
| Brian Kay - BrassStages | Students and band directors who want free resources plus an experienced Boston-area teacher |
| Justin Moore Trombone | Serious students prepping college or honor-band auditions in the Philadelphia/South Jersey area |
| Hollywood Academy of Music & Arts | Los Angeles families who want a full-service academy with recitals and rentals |
The Five Providers in Detail
#1 Chambers Music Studio
A screenshot of the Chambers Music Studio website.
Chambers Music Studio runs trombone lessons across three Ohio locations: Bexley, Columbus, and Worthington. The studio emphasizes embouchure, breath control, and tone production, so you build a sound that carries. Lessons are tailored to your skill level, whether you are prepping a school audition or playing for fun. You start by filling out a placement form for your preferred location, which keeps the intake process organized. The site also bundles other brass, woodwind, and percussion lessons, plus group classes and summer camps, if you want a broader musical home. See the trombone lesson page for location details.
#2 Elizabeth Greene
A screenshot of the Elizabeth Greene website.
Elizabeth Greene is a trombonist pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Music Performance at the University of Tennessee, expected in 2028. Her site is a personal showcase: video portfolio, performances, biography, and a clear Contact & Lessons section. That video-first approach lets you hear her playing before you ever reach out, which is rare among lesson providers. She offers trombone lessons and keeps contact simple through email. If you are near the University of Tennessee or comfortable with a direct, performer-led teaching relationship, this is a focused option. Browse the videos and bio to get a feel for her style.
#3 Brian Kay - BrassStages
A screenshot of the Brian Kay - BrassStages website.
Brian Kay teaches trombone and brass lessons from his home studio in Weston, Massachusetts, and has drawn students from over 29 towns across Greater Boston. He is a former faculty member at the New England Conservatory Preparatory Division and the Longy School of Music. What sets BrassStages apart is the resource library: free instructional materials organized for college and professional students, adult avocational players, high school, middle school, and elementary students, parents, and band directors. You can explore method books and teaching notes before booking. Lessons are arranged by email, and the site makes his teaching philosophy easy to review.
#4 Justin Moore Trombone
A screenshot of the Justin Moore Trombone website.
Justin Moore is a Philadelphia-area trombonist who teaches private trombone and euphonium lessons from his home studio in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, and remotely via Zoom. His teaching centers on fundamentals and musicianship, with each lesson tailored to the student's current ability and goals. The site lists concrete outcomes: students have auditioned into Juilliard, Eastman, Peabody, Berklee, Michigan, Temple, Rutgers, and Delaware, plus regional honor bands and summer festivals. He also offers one-time sessions for audition prep when his schedule allows, and a hybrid approach for students who live farther away. An intake form makes the first step straightforward.
#5 Hollywood Academy of Music & Arts
A screenshot of the Hollywood Academy of Music & Arts website.
Hollywood Academy of Music & Arts has served Los Angeles since 1990 and offers trombone lessons alongside piano, voice, guitar, drums, and more. The academy recommends starting trombone around age nine or older, which helps parents set realistic expectations. Beyond weekly lessons, you get access to recitals, practice rooms, instrument rentals, repairs, and a retail shop, making it a one-stop musical home. The Melrose Avenue location and text-friendly contact line suit busy Los Angeles families. If you want a full academy structure rather than a single private teacher, this is the most complete package on the list.
How to Choose the Right Trombone Teacher
Start with your goal. If you are prepping a college audition, look for a teacher with a track record of placements, like Justin Moore's studio. If you are a beginner or a parent, a structured academy such as Hollywood Academy of Music & Arts gives you recitals, rentals, and a clear progression. Next, decide on format. In-person lessons build rapport fastest, but online and hybrid options widen your choices considerably. Then check teaching philosophy: do they emphasize fundamentals, or jump straight to repertoire? Read the site carefully for how they describe their approach. Finally, confirm logistics: location, contact method, and how to book a first lesson. A quick email or intake form tells you a lot about responsiveness. Trust your ear, too. Watch any available performance videos, like Elizabeth Greene's portfolio, to see if the playing style matches what you want to learn.
A Simple Workflow to Shortlist and Book
Set up a simple tracking sheet with columns for provider, location, format, teaching focus, contact method, and status. Save each provider's lesson page as a bookmark or note. Send a short inquiry email to your top two or three, asking about availability, rates, and a trial lesson. Log responses in the sheet and schedule any trial sessions within the same week so comparisons stay fresh. After each trial, note one thing you liked and one thing you would change. That habit turns a vague search into a clear decision, and you can repeat the process anytime your goals shift.
The Bottom Line
There is no single right trombone teacher for everyone. Chambers Music Studio gives you multi-location structure in Ohio. Elizabeth Greene offers a direct, performer-led relationship with a video portfolio you can evaluate up front. Brian Kay - BrassStages pairs deep experience with a generous free resource library. Justin Moore Trombone is built for serious audition prep in the Philadelphia region. Hollywood Academy of Music & Arts delivers a full academy experience in Los Angeles. Match the provider to your goal, your location, and your preferred lesson format, and you will be making music with the right teacher sooner than you think.