Ixchel B
Ixchel Betancourt holds a Bachelor of Music Education and Bachelor of Music Performance with an Emphasis in Jazz Studies from Texas A&M University - Kingsville (2016-2022). At TAMUK, she studied flute with Dr. Elizabeth Janzen and saxophone with Mr. James Warth, Mr. Jerry Espinoza, and Dr. Thomas Zinninger. She then went to get her Masters of Music in Jazz Studies at Texas State University where she studied jazz saxophone with Dr. Russell Haight and Dr. Joey Colarusso and graduated in May of 2024. She has played at several festivals during her collegiate music career including the Eddie Durham Festival, Texas Jazz Festival, and the Hill Country Jazz Festival. She auditioned for the National Flute Association Jazz Flute Big Band in 2017 (Minneapolis, Minnesota) and 2019 (Salt Lake City, Utah).
What I like about teaching music is watching the love and enjoyment my students get from playing music grow and watching them have their little light bulb moments when a concept or difficult passage in a piece sticks is rewarding. Watching the students grow musically is the most rewarding thing because whether they realize it or not they're achieving something extraordinary every day. Watching students do what they thought at one time was impossible is the greatest feeling. My teaching style is what I like to call a two-way street, there are things that the students will need to work on to improve their playing, but I also want to know what the student wants to learn. I want students to have a good foundation that will allow them to progress and set them up for success. I want them to find ideas that intrigue them to ask questions about music. It teaches students to be self-aware about what they think about their playing and allows them to problem-solve with little to no help. I want them to be able to come and ask questions about how to solve an issue with their playing or how to tackle a difficult concept, alongside guiding them in the right direction with different assigned techniques and exercises.
Ixchel teaches flute and saxophone on Saturdays in the studio. Call for scheduling options.
