Trombone Lessons - Beginner through advanced ...
and more!

Serving students near Oak Park, IL and online!

The studio is filling up for Fall 2026! The first step in starting lessons is a free consultation - click below to schedule today!

"I was so impressed that by going back to the basics and focusing on embouchure and technique, my son’s tone and clarity in playing completely changed. Beautiful music is so more than just knowing the notes!"-Sonya P. parent of student

About Me

DJ Combs is a trombonist and educator based in the Chicago area.Equally at home in the orchestra pit, big band, and chamber settings, DJ’s performance credits span classical, jazz, and musical theater. He has served in pit orchestras for productions of Sweeney Todd, Anastasia, Funny Girl, and Anything Goes, and has performed internationally at major European jazz festivals, including The Montreux Jazz Festival, Jazz à Vienne, and the Umbria Jazz Festivals.As an orchestral fellow, DJ performed with the Mostly Modern Orchestra in Saratoga Springs, NY, and was a resident chamber musician for the Artist and Composer Interplay program at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity.DJ completed his master’s degree at the Lynn Conservatory of Music, where he primarily studied with Dan Satterwhite, after earning his bachelor’s degree from Utah State University, where he studied with Dr. Lane Weaver. When not performing, he is an avid rock climber, hiker, photographer, and loves to cook.

DJ's Trombone Studio

Welcome! I’m DJ Combs, and teach trombone in Oak Park, IL (and online). I help middle and high school trombonists build total confidence behind the instrument.

"GO PRACTICE!"

Your band director tells the section to practice at home, but nobody actually showed you how to structure those 20 minutes.

Sound Familiar?

You play though the piece you were told to "Go Practice!" a few times, feel like it got a bit better, and then put the horn away.

Back in Band Class

You worked hard at home, only to have your sound fall apart or slide hand freeze up during the next band class! Oh no, all that practice at home and it didn't stick...

Why this happens: In school band, one director has to manage 40+ kids at the same time. They simply don't have the time to sit with you individually and the "nitty-gritty" of playing the trombone.

In my studio, we take the guesswork out of playing the trombone. I teach young players how the instrument actually works - giving them the exact practice habits, technical mechanics of the trombone, and self-belief I wish I had in middle and high school.

For Parents: Beyond music, private lessons in my studio teach students executive function, problem-solving, and how to tackle frustrating challenges with focus and discipline - skills that carry directly into their schoolwork and college prep.

Working with DJ was a delight! He could listen to me play and immediately identify where I needed help and how to improve. One of the main things we worked on was building a solid baseline to fall back on - by focusing on the fundamentals, everything else improved immensely. He knows what it takes to make notes sound musical, and he was always patient with me.- Hyrum, student

1. Teacher Commitment & Philosophy

I will provide a safe, disciplined, and high-level instructional environment dedicated to developing competent, independent trombonists.

2. Tuition & Studio Calendar

Enrollment is an annual commitment of 42 scheduled lessons across three terms (Fall, Spring, and Summer). The remaining 10 weeks are designated studio holidays outlined in advance.

Flat monthly tuition reserves a dedicated, recurring time slot and is billed automatically on the 1st of each month via Make Music Studio.

3. Billing, Fees & Cancellation
  • Annual Registration Fee ($25.00): One-time fee covering student portal setup, software licensing, and administrative setup.
  • Non-Refundable Tuition: Payments reserve studio availability and are non-refundable once billed on the 1st.
  • Late Fees: Payments cleared after the 5th incur a $25 late fee. Failed auto-pay charges incur a $25 service fee.
  • Withdrawal Notice: A 15-day written notice submitted by the 15th of the month prior to dropping is required to cancel auto-billing (e.g., notice by Oct 15 stops November billing).
4. Summer Term Commitment

Summer is a critical window for consolidation and technical growth without the pressure of school-year schedules. To maintain student momentum and reserve your placement, studio enrollment is continuous year-round.

Summer tuition is converted into a flexible credit model - including options for specialized summer intensives, flexible scheduling, and camp modules - to easily accommodate family travel and activities.

Note: Full tuition exemption with a guaranteed fall slot is granted to students attending major audition-based summer music festivals (e.g., National Youth Orchestra, Aspen, Brevard, Tanglewood, etc.) for which the instructor prepared them.

5. Attendance, Make-Ups & Weather
  • Advance Notice (>24 Hours): Earns a make-up credit (limit 2 per semester/term), redeemable on designated Saturday make-up days.
  • Short Notice (<24 Hours): Same-day cancellations or illness are not guaranteed a make-up. Please do not bring sick students to lessons.
  • Winter Weather: Severe Chicago winter weather days seamlessly transition to online lessons or Saturday make-ups.
  • Expiration: Make-up credits expire at the end of the current semester.
6. Preparedness, Practice & Recording Policy
  • Required Materials: Students must bring a working instrument, assigned music, notebook, and accessories to every lesson. Arriving without materials forfeits the lesson.
  • Practice: Assignments are personalized weekly. Parents are responsible for helping maintain a consistent home practice environment.

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