Dr. Benjamin Sorrell is a saxophonist and educator based in Los Angeles with over 20 years of experience teaching saxophone and clarinet at every level — from beginners to graduate students. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music and is currently the Saxophone and Chamber Music Lecturer at California State University, Northridge and Riverside City College. A Conn-Selmer Artist performing exclusively on Selmer Paris saxophones, he has performed with the San Diego Symphony, at Walt Disney Concert Hall, and at festivals and concert series throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia.
Benjamin’s teaching is built around the foundational problems he has seen consistently across 20 years — in students at every level — and the concrete solutions that actually fix them, so that students can step back from the mechanics, make real musical decisions, and focus on what music is actually for: communicating everything the music has to offer. Every lesson balances technical work with repertoire, developing technique, sound, articulation, musicality, posture, and hand position, while helping each student find the right equipment so nothing stands in the way of their progress. He works with students of all ages and levels, and his goal is simple: help every student find their own voice on their instrument.
Lessons & Rates
Benjamin teaches in-person at his home studio in Alhambra and throughout the following areas: Alhambra, South Pasadena, San Marino, Pasadena, and San Gabriel. Online lessons are also available. He is available in additional areas with a travel fee.
Rates:
- 60-minute lesson — $150
- 45-minute lesson — $120
- Regular lessons are billed at a flat monthly rate equivalent to 4 lessons per month
Benjamin is available to help students prepare for school band auditions, SCSBOA, MTNA, All-Southern, All-State, and college auditions.
For equipment questions — mouthpieces, ligatures, reeds, and instrument purchases — visit the Equipment and Links, or use the Contact page for direct inquiries.
If you would like general information about the equipment I use and what I recommend please visit my Equipment and Links pages.