Current and former students say:

"I made 4th chair in the Lion's band. Couldn't have done it without your help." ...Jordan, Gulfport, MS (French horn)

"I won the French horn audition for Gulf Coast Youth Orchestra. Lessons really made a difference." ...Trevor, Biloxi, MS (horn).

"When I was a college music major, Ken gave me an 8-page booklet he had written called 'Embouchure Builder.' It is still one of the best teaching tools I've seen."
     ...Pete Vriesenga, Bass trombonist, Boulder Philharmonic and 
     President of Denver Musicians Association, AFM local 20-623

"Mr. Davies' teaching went beyond the horn and my becoming first chair at my high school. Many of the valuable things I learned in his lessons carried over to areas of my later adult life."
     ...Patti Wilshusen, Naval Officer wife

Mr. Davies began private brass teaching during his last two years at University of Wisconsin - Madison at Forbes-Meagher Music Store and quickly developed an active all brass studio. 

During the 1970s and early 1980s, Mr. Davies was a full-time trombonist with the immensely popular rock fusion group, Gabriel's Brass, based at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. His private brass studio for all brass instruments became known for his insightful problem-solving for his students' benefit. Adapting to students' learning styles even before right and left brain research was known, Mr. Davies successfully guided students through foundations and refinements in sight-reading, improvisation, applicable music theory, high and low range development, transpositions and other skills. His clientele ranged from beginners to adults. Also a composer, Mr. Davies is known for the unique special studies he often wrote for his students. 
 

Credentials
B.Mus. - University of Wisconsin at Madison 
(trombone performance & pedagogy) 
M.A. - Middle Tennessee State University at Murfreesboro 
(trombone performance)
M.M. - University of Colorado at Boulder (composition)
Additional studies at Yale University School of Music 
at New Haven, CT
Trombone teachers: Paul Wallace, Robert Gutter, John Swallow, David Loucky, William Stanley
Performing experience includes: orchestras, concert bands, big bands, society combos, show bands, rock groups, chamber ensembles, brass quintets, shows (Johnny Mathis, Andy Williams, etc.), Broadway musicals (Oklahoma, 1776, etc.)

Publications for educational brass include:
20 Pieces in Changing Meters for unaccompanied trombone
- published by Puna Music Company

On the Gulf Coast, he has performed with the Gulf Coast Brass Quintet,  the Today Big Band, Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra, Messiah Orchestra and many music events.

Each year, thousands of young musicians enter the nations' music schools with little more knowledge of the field than how to play in a school band. Only then do they begin to discover the demanding requirements for skills and knowledge that should have been mastered before arriving.

Mr. Davies can tailor a comprehensive, in-depth program of study that prepares the pre-college student for the intense, competitive rigors of life as a music pre-professional. This is foundation development for performing both classical art music and jazz/rock.

These studies includes ear training, basic music theory, music literature and a higher degree of required performing skills. Real answers to your questions about music careers and what they require in talent, skills, music business knowledge, knowing music literature, legal information concerning copyright and other rights of creative musicians and more. These require a one hour lesson per week.

Special studies unique to each instrument include such things as:

TRUMPET - transpositions for B-flat and C trumpets

TROMBONE/BASS TROMBONE - reading of tenor, alto, and treble clef and extensive work with trigger valve and slide technique including alternate positions.

FRENCH HORN - reading transpositions in several keys, use of the double horn, natural horn and right hand techniques.

TUBA - awareness of the various four-valve tubas in use including BB-flat, CC, F and E-flat tubas.