BIOGRAPHY
Tai has been playing trumpet for nine years and brings experience across both jazz and classical performance to his teaching. Having studied violin and piano through the Suzuki Method, Tai developed a deep appreciation for Suzuki’s philosophy of learning through listening, repetition, and encouragement. Tai now teaches trumpet using the newly expanded Suzuki Brass curriculum and is one of only two Suzuki trumpet teachers on the West Coast.
Currently, Tai plays lead trumpet in the Sacramento State 1:30 Jazz Big Band and in Curtis Gaesser's Live Performing Arts Academy Big Band, a group consisting of high school to professional musicians that recently earned the Best Downbeat Honors Jazz Band distinction. Tai also performed as Lead Trumpet in the Sacramento State Marching Band and is an active member of the Sacramento State Symphonic Wind Ensemble. Having studied violin and piano through the Suzuki Method, Tai developed a passion for music education and now teaches trumpet using the newly expanded Suzuki Brass curriculum, making Tai one of only two Suzuki Trumpet teachers on the West Coast.
As a student at Folsom High School, Tai spent four years in the award-winning Folsom High School Jazz Band I under Grammy-nominated director Curtis Gaesser, a band recognized as the Best High School Jazz Band 16 of the last 18 years by Downbeat Magazine. Tai held the lead trumpet chair from junior year onward. Outside of school, Tai attended the Stanford Jazz Camp, the New York Jazz Academy Summer Intensive, the University of North Texas Jazz Combo Camp, and the Birch Creek Jazz Intensive, where Tai performed nine times in two weeks as lead trumpet in the Lab Band. Tai was also selected as one of 34 musicians worldwide to participate in the Brubeck Jazz Summit, and performed with the Premier Orchestra of the Sacramento Youth Symphony for two years.
Tai has been playing trumpet for nine years, building an impressive record across every level of jazz and classical performance. At Sutter Middle School, Tai served as lead trumpet in the award-winning jazz band. The Sutter Middle School Jazz Band earned multiple jazz festival wins during this time, and was named the best Junior High Large Jazz Ensemble in the nation by Downbeat Magazine. In 8th grade, Tai performed as third trumpet in the CASMEC Junior High Jazz Band, and in 10th and 12th grade, played trumpet in the NCBA All-Northern Jazz Band.
