TESTIMONIALS
“I have grown exponentially as a musician, and as a person…”
I started studying with Emilio two years ago at the start of the pandemic, and he changed my life. Online lessons over Zoom were the perfect fit for me during that time, and still today since I live too far for in-person lessons to be a possibility. I went from being entirely self-taught and knowing little to nothing about theory, to being able to improvise over complex chord changes and even compose my own music. Emilio brought out the potential in me that I didn’t know I had, and took me from barely being able to play to being able to perform with the top TMEA Jazz Ensemble under Vincent Gardner. I have grown exponentially as a musician, and as a person, thanks to my time with Emilio. I owe all of my successes to him!
—Seth S.
2021 TMEA All-State Jazz Ensemble
2022 TMEA All-State Jazz Ensemble
2022 YoungArts Jazz Honorable Mention
2023 TMEA All-State Jazz Ensemble
2023 YoungArts Jazz Honorable Mention
2023 NYO-Jazz First-Alternate
2023 - Admission with scholarship offers to Manhattan School of Music, San Francisco Conservatory, New England Conservatory, New School, and more
“Emilio has a vision for all of his students…”
“Emilio has been an amazing teacher to study with — from learning the basics to more complex theory and practice strategies, he has given me the tools to become a much better musician. As soon as things seem to get easy, he always finds ways to challenge me by adding new concepts or exploring time and rhythm. Emilio has a vision for all of his students, and thanks to his guidance he has set me up for success. Thank you Emilio!”
—Eric C.
2020 TMEA All-State Jazz Ensemble
UNT Jazz Studies - Class of 2024
2021 UNT Five O’Clock Lab Band
2022 UNT Three O’Clock Lab Band
2023 UNT Three O’Clock Lab Band
2023-2024 unt one o’clock lab band
“I wouldn’t be the saxophone player I am today without him.”
“Emilio has been my private lesson teacher for four years now. During this time he has helped me achieve my goals of becoming a Texas All-State Musician and taught me the necessary skills to pursue a jazz degree at UNT. He’s an amazing educator and musician, and I wouldn’t be the saxophone player I am today without him.”
— Rylan V.
2019 TMEA All-State Jazz Ensemble
2020 TMEA All-State Jazz Ensemble
UNT Jazz Studies - Class of 2024
2021 UNT Three O’Clock Lab Band
2022 UNT Two O’Clock Lab Band
2023 UNT Two O’Clock Lab Band
2023 JAS Academy Participant
2023-2024 unt one o’clock lab band
“[Emilio] is always patient and finds new, exciting ways to keep me engaged and excited to learn.”
“While studying with Emilio, I went from barely being able to play my scales to being able to improvise at a high level within the time span of a little over a year. As I grow as a musician and as his assignments become more difficult, he is always patient and finds new, exciting ways to keep me engaged and excited to learn.”
—Matthew G.
2020 TMEA All-State Jazz Ensemble
2020 National Youth Orchestra (NYO), Jazz Division
2021 TMEA All-State Jazz Ensemble
2021 National Youth Orchestra (NYO), Jazz Division
2022 JAS Academy Participant
NYU Jazz Class of 2025 (full-scholarship recipient)
all photos by Haley Busch // @hal3_