Tricks of the Trade

A series of monthly masterclasses with Liam designed to provide students with knowledge and skills that are rarely taught within private lessons or school ensembles, but are equally essential for students to maximize their potential as musicians. Most classes will be interactive, and are designed to replicate real life musical circumstances. Examples of topics covered include stage presence, auditioning, intonation (with an emphasis on certain pitch relationships), and preparation. Many classes will be non-sequential, however, there may be an occasional series in which it is highly recommended for the student to attend each class of that series. The topic of each class will be announced two weeks in advance. Students of all ages, abilities, and interests are encouraged to attend!

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Liam Shugrue

Liam Shugrue is a professional trumpet player with experience performing in orchestras, wind ensembles, brass quintets, trumpet ensembles, big bands, musical theater pits, rock bands, jazz combos, marching bands, pep bands, church ensembles, and performing solo.

A proud lifelong citizen of Middletown, CT, he offers both a unique perspective and approach to teaching with a focus on independence and fluency. Using a 4-lesson cycle featuring scales with variations, classical etudes, and jazz repertoire, students develop the physical skills as well as the musical competence to be able to perform at the highest level.

Liam has played with professional ensembles such as the Nutmeg Symphony Orchestra and the Constitution Brass Quintet, and holds a Master of Music degree in Trumpet Performance from The Hartt School as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Central Connecticut State University.

In addition to teaching at Middlesex Music Academy and performing professionally, Liam teaches violin for the Elizabeth Swaim Strings Program of Middletown Public Schools, and is the brass technician for the Middletown High School Marching Band.