Jake Whitesell teaches private saxophone lessons to students of all ages and abilities (from absolute beginner to advanced), tailoring lessons to the specific needs and interests of each student. Jake is committed to patiently guiding students along their musical journey, providing mentorship, inspiration, encouragement, and expertise, in a fun and engaging learning environment. Jake specializes in teaching jazz, improvisation, and playing by ear, in addition to traditional instruction in instrumental technique, music reading, and music theory. Jake studied with world-renowned saxophonist and educator Dr. Timothy McAllister at The Crane School of Music at S.U.N.Y. Potsdam, earning a Bachelor of Music in Saxophone Performance with a minor in Jazz Studies in 2005.

Jake draws from 25 years of extensive experience as a professional musician performing and teaching in a variety of genres, including classical, jazz, Latin jazz, blues, and other popular styles. Current projects include The Jake Whitesell Trio/Quartet, The Saturn People's Sound Collective, Gua Gua, Kerubo, Soul Porpoise, and The Vermont Jazz Ensemble. Jake has also performed with The Temptations, John Pizzarelli, Kat Wright, The Dartmouth Gospel Choir, Barika, Mal Maiz, Ray Vega, Nick Cassarino, Dave Grippo, Paul Asbell, and Vermont Symphonic Winds, among other bands.

Jake toured extensively from 2009 to 2021 with Kat Wright and the Indomitable Soul Band as tenor saxophonist and horn arranger, performing at NPR Mountain Stage and numerous festivals including Montreal Jazz Festival, Jam Cruise, and Grace Potter's Grand Point North, and opening for notable bands such The Doobie Brothers, Soulive, The Original Wailers, Lake Street Dive, The Motet, The Wood Brothers, Rubblebucket, and Lawrence. Jake's jazz quartet has been featured at the annual Burlington Discover Jazz Festival since 2013, at the Stowe Jazz Festival in 2019, 2022, and 2023, and at the Flynn Space for First Night Burlington in 2017. Jake has performed on woodwinds for musical theater productions including HAIR, Guys and Dolls, and The Threepenny Opera. Jake is on the teaching faculty for Vermont Youth Orchestra Association Jazz at Elley-Long Music Center in Colchester, VT.

Student testimonials are available at https://www.jakewhitesell.com/lessons