Bach to Bebop Music School
Flute · Saxophone · Clarinet · Electronic Wind Instrument
Students age 9 through adult — Cary & Raleigh, NC
Eight core beliefs that guide every lesson at Bach to Bebop.
Music is fun — and even more fun with a sound foundation in the basics: scales, theory, and technique.
Music builds life skills — it is a valuable tool for teaching successful life practices to young people.
You're never too old — it is never too late to learn an instrument or revisit one from your youth.
Students & parents are partners — the customer should be involved in setting student goals.
Positive reinforcement — young children must be taught in a manner that enhances self-esteem.
Exposure to all styles — classical, blues, jazz, pop, rock, and more are all important for the young musician.
Duets are essential — especially for woodwind players, for the teaching of tone, intonation, and rhythm.
Recitals teach real skills — meeting a deadline with a quality performance is a valuable life lesson.
"I believe in setting musical goals with the student and/or parents and then working with the student to achieve their personal goals. I also believe that music should be fun."
— John Billington
Flute
Baroque to jazz. Classical foundations, improvisation, jazz flute performance. Specializes in transitioning classical flutists to jazz.
Saxophone
Alto, tenor, soprano, and baritone. Classical to bebop. Specializes in All County/District/State competition preparation.
Clarinet
Concert band and orchestral clarinet. Solid technique and intonation through all levels.
Electronic Wind Instrument (EWI)
Transition from traditional woodwinds to wind controllers and synthesizers. MIDI, groove programs, and composition.
Month-to-month — no long-term contract required. Payment is due at the first lesson of each month.
$75
per month
3 × 30-minute lessons
First 3 weeks of the month
$80
per month
2 × 45-minute lessons
Per month
$135
per month
3 × 45-minute lessons
First 3 weeks of the month
$150
per month
3 × 60-minute lessons
First 3 weeks of the month
› No long-term contract — month-to-month arrangement
› On-time payment reserves your weekly time slot for the month
› Payments not received on time may cause the slot to open for other students
› These fees are subject to change. Contact John directly for the latest information.
Beyond private lessons, John offers a range of musical services for students and schools.
John is available to help school band directors prepare wind ensemble and jazz band for contests and performances. Already cleared by the Wake County school system with personal references from completed work at Green Hope, Cary, and Athens Drive high schools.
Wind Ensemble Review
Fresh ears critique flute, saxophone, and clarinet sections on tone quality, dynamics, phrasing, and mix — typically two 1½-hour sessions a week apart.
Jazz Band Direction
Works with the director to suggest scores, schedule early electives, and coach student improvised solos. Available Mon–Fri, 6:50 AM – 2:00 PM.
John offers clinics for middle school woodwind students and sections — whether as supplemental coaching for individual students or as group work alongside a school band program.
John uses a comprehensive selection of materials covering daily exercises, etudes, concerti, chamber music, and jazz across all skill levels. If your local sheet music store doesn't carry a selection, most are available from Flute World (fluteworld.com, 248-855-0410) or Dorn Publications for saxophone.
Select an instrument below to expand the full repertoire list.
Extensive jazz repertoire spanning bebop, smooth jazz, blues, and Brazilian styles. John incorporates real-book jazz standards alongside classical works to give students a complete musical education — true to the "Bach to Bebop" approach.
Classical and concert band repertoire spanning middle school through high school competition level, including full preparation for All District and All State auditions.