Any instrument, any background—there is a way to reach your authentic voice.

Contact for booking, compositions, licensing, in-person or zoom lessons*:

Klezmer

Jazz

Avant-garde / Free music

Improvisation

Ear training / Pop&Jazz harmony

Brass technique

Drum groove nuance

*Discounted when you schedule 4 or 8 lessons

A pioneer of the Klezmer Trombone and a collaborator with legends, Dan Blacksberg’s perspective on music lies at the forefront of innovation. Lessons with Dan span the breadth of and unify the disparate genres of Jazz and Klezmer.

Through an open teaching style rooted in inquiry, students advance along the path of greatest interest. In co-playing & guiding research, Dan is both a counterbalance & instigator of development. He is an ideal mentor for advancing on middle brass, learning the intricacies of klezmer, or unlocking the imaginative potential in Creative Music and Jazz. No matter where a student starts from, there is a way to reach a voice that is authentically them.

Dan’s pedagogy is informed by more than a decade on the faculty of KlezKanada, Yiddish New York, KlezKamp, and Temple University, working with eager students of all ages, ready to explore music as our forebears did. Part of the joy of educating is bringing to bear the combined experience of one’s own learning with that of one’s mentors and community. For him, the heart of the exploration he shares with his students is klezmer trombone.

Dan learned the tradition of his instrument pouring over shellac recordings of the 20s and 30s, teasing out notes from scratched and sonically dense artifacts. Working under the musicians of the klezmer “revival”, he put this study to work. With much joy, Dan has closely collaborated with artists whose connection to the music was uninterrupted by historical upheaval or assimilation. Pete Sokolow initiated him into this larger culture and Elaine Hoffman-Watts transformed him into a true Philadelphia klezmer. Blacksberg carries their stories with him. It is a joy and a privilege to pass this knowledge down to his students.

Testimonials

  • "Dan completely transformed my musical experience.

    Studying Klezmer trombone with Dan is an exhilarating journey. His unmatched expertise, passion, & infectious enthusiasm for this rich and vibrant musical tradition have inspired me beyond words. His patient guidance and deep understanding of the nuances and intricacies of Klezmer music have allowed me to delve much deeper into a world of possibilities I was unaware of.

    Through his personalized approach and unwavering support, Dan has pushed me to new heights, helping me unlock my true potential as a Klezmer trombonist. Thanks to Dan, I have not only become a better musician but also discovered a profound connection to the rich, cultural heritage of Jewish music that will forever shape my musical journey.”

    -Nathan Dell-Vandenberg, trombonist (Lemon Bucket Orchestra)

  • "A master musician, and fully understands what it means to be an effective teacher.

    Dan is capable of utilizing his diverse musical background in order to meet students on their own terms. Eclectic taste & open-mindedness allow him to draw fascinating connections, articulating things about music that most simply can not. Dan is fully committed to bringing out the best in me as a musician, leaving me excited to dig deeper in our lessons every week.”

    -Joey Sullivan, drummer (Florry, Bark Culture, The Ghost)

  • "A tremendous teacher.

    I came to Dan as an adult learner who had worked with other private teachers before, but he was the first one I felt went out of his way to tailor our lessons to my own particular needs and wants. Our first lessons involved Dan getting to know me as a player and asking open-ended questions to find out my goals and aspirations for our time together. This immediate inclusive nature made me feel more comfortable and heard than I had been with any prior music instructor.

    Our lessons are routinely split between playing, talking, and listening, with Dan stressing the importance of each. He always finds a non-judgmental way to offer support and criticism, while also genuinely hearing me out on my own opinions. I can unequivocally say I am a better trombonist since taking lessons with Dan and would recommend him to any other musician who is looking for help in myriad musical directions.”

    -Connor Przybyszewski, trombone

  • "With an ear for his students' strengths,

    Dan can direct his teaching accordingly. I have studied with Dan in large ensembles (30+ people), small ensembles (7 people), and one-on-one. He is a capable teacher who meets his students where they are at, helping everyone to feel included & competent while still challenging his students to be creative and try new things. Dan’s enthusiasm for his craft is infectious.”

    -Stefanie Brendler, baritone horn

  • "An absolute pleasure!

    Even though I’m a saxophonist and producer, my lessons with Dan pushed my musicianship forward quite a lot. We spanned over many topics and concept, such as, Albert Ayler, Klezmer, electronic music, and more. Dan really helped me cross-pollinate and connect disparate ideas and disciplines that I was grappling with at the time. I wholeheartedly recommend Dan to any musician looking to open their mind to new ways of thinking about music and just pushing their musicianship forward in general.”

    -Justin Bartlett, engineer & producer (Studio 4)