TESTIMONIALS - from students and parents of students

Phillip Greenlief is that rare and unforgettable music teacher who provides life-changing direction to his students. Through his deep knowledge of music, theory, and technique, and with gracious musicianship, he teaches how to truly "play" music, to find one's own voice, and to understand how to join that voice with other players. His love of music is infectious, his taste in music is wide ranging and impeccable, and he leads by example to help students find joy in music and music making.

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former san francisco walforf high school student (electric bass)

Phillip is an exceptional saxophone instructor. I run a teacher learning program and believe that central to strong teaching is the ability to be curious about a student and how they approach learning. Phillip takes this inquiry approach to his work; he is an exquisite listener. While our daughter's saxophone skills have grown tremendously through her work with Phillip, the most inspiring part of Phillip's instruction for the past four years is the way he supports her to cultivate her own musical passions. In turn, he encourages her agency, values her ideas, and nurtures her creativity. When I asked my daughter her favorite thing about working with Phillip she said without hesitation, "Phillip balances challenge and fun. So few teachers are able to do this. They either are all about fun and I don't learn as much or it's all about the challenge and learning feels like a chore. Phillip finds the balance." Phillip is incredible and I hope he will share his inspired approach to teaching music more widely.

- parent of berkeley high student (alto saxophone)

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Over ~6 years of lessons, Phillip taught me a wide range of material. He showed me a lot of important saxophone technique, theory, and skills for improvisation. Throughout studying with Phillip, I was constantly inspired to practice and work hard. One thing I really appreciated from his lessons was how he taught me what I wanted to learn, and regularly checked in about anything specific that I wanted to focus on. I also liked Phillip's authenticity as a player and teacher, and how he never made me memorize loads of different licks, and instead focused on helping me find my own sound and ideas. Phillip set me up for success and I hope others can learn from him as well.

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-berkeley high school student - (tenor saxophone)

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Philip directed the high school band in which my son played French horn. Yes, and while this is not necessarily a traditional jazz brass instrument, Phillip welcomed him to join. This openness and the desire to MAKE MUSIC TOGETHER exemplifies Phillip. He allows his students to take risks, gives them opportunities to arrange music and always, always encourages his players to share their spirit in song. Over Covid lockdown Phillip was a lifeline for my son, meeting on Zoom for private lessons and maintaining a connection, acting as a buoy, during such an isolating time. I observed my son's growth under Phillip's mentorship — not only as a musician, but as a human being. Phillip is so much more than a band leader or music teacher, he is a human filled with so much integrity and love that he becomes an integral part of his students' lives, and the lives of their families. Phillip Greenlief is a gem

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- parent of a student at san francisco waldorf high school (french horn)