Alexis Cairns

Thesis

Thesis

Approaches to teaching jazz improvisation to beginner jazz improvisation pupils in the one-to-one lesson setting

Research includes looking at current approaches and strategies used by jazz educators to teach jazz improvisation to beginners and the experiences of pupils in the early stages of learning jazz improvisation. The aim is to understand which approaches and strategies are effective to help learners learn and equip instrumental teachers with little to no experience of jazz improvisation with strategies to help them in their teaching practice.

Biography

Biography

I graduated from Leeds College of Music with a BA (Hons) in Jazz Studies in 2006 and completed my MA in Music Education: Instrumental and Vocal Teaching from the University of York in 2020. I have over 16 years experience teaching pupils of all ages to play saxophone, clarinet, and flute. I am also a professional jazz saxophonist with gigging experience in Yorkshire, Manchester, and the North East performing standards and original compositions.

Research

Research

Jazz pedagogy, jazz improvisation, music education, teaching approaches, teaching strategies.

Publications

Publications

I presented at the 35th ISME World Conference 2022 discussing teachers' perspectives on the following topic: approaches to teaching jazz improvisation to beginner jazz pupils in the one-to-one instrumental lesson setting.