“Just because we have a disability doesn’t mean we are out of the game, it means the game just got more interesting for us.”
-Prateek Thakur
Prateek Thakur is a saxophonist from Brooklyn, NY. He completed his bachelor degree in Music Education at Hofstra University. After that he went on to become a Woodwind Instructor for the Mineola Marching Band. During his time there, he taught primary saxophone and helped students focus primarily on building a well rounded sound for the section. The band has won two New York State Field Conference Championship and this is Prateek fourth year at the Marching Band.
During that time, Prateek worked two years as a Music teacher in Brooklyn and started the first Middle School Concert Band at his school. Then he moved to another school in Harlem where he is currently in his fourth year of teaching music and even though it is a difficult time he still finds a way to be engaging and energizing teaching music virtually.
Prateek is studying MA in Music & Music Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. During his time at Teachers College, he worked on sharpening his teaching and arranging skills and have recently started his first business, Prateek Thakur Music. Prateek’s business focuses on offering private lessons, consultant work and creating and selling jazz arrangements.
At a young age, Prateek was diagnosed with impaired hearing, but that didn’t stop him from pursuing his dream of becoming a music teacher. He had to work twice as hard to make sure he was successful. Whenever one of his students feels discouraged, he always tells them that if he can accomplish his dream despite all the challenges he faced, anyone can do it.
Prateek’s Gear
- Tenor Saxophone:Cannonball Salt Lake City Raven
- Mouthpiece: Otto Link Super Toner Master size 6
- Reed: V21 size 3
Hearing Aid:
- Resound GN / ReSound LiNX 3D 62
A Lesson on Saxophone Basics with Prateek
Prateek Praises…
Brooklyn Audiology Associates, Mr. Richard Kaner, and Dr. Jennifer Levy
Visit Prateek at www.prateekthakurmusic.com
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