Sam Koff – Trumpeter, NO BS Brass Band, former student from VCU, Richmond, VA

“Allyson Keyser has a deep understanding of trumpet music, and the physical and mental aspects that go into trumpet playing. Her attention to detail makes her a world class player and a valuable teacher. Allyson showed me how to approach playing with a new level of ease. After just a few lessons, things began to click for me like never before. It was life-changing. I am lucky to know a musician and teacher as passionate as Allyson.“

Diego Espinoza – former private student, Richmond, VA

“I had the great fortune of meeting Allyson Keyser as my trumpet teacher!! She taught me the value of consistency and the power to stay focused on the best ways to play my trumpet. She made me see and hear that mistakes are steps for learning and the beauty of music comes from our inside with effective practice and rigor, but being flexible too with the good things we achieve while we are learning. I keep on working following your great advice and routine to improve every day.”

Claire Hendrickson – former private student, Greensboro, NC

“Dr.Keyser was my first and most influential trumpet teacher I had. As a teacher, she knows how to make well rounded players. I was constantly being given technical advice on the trumpet. I remember clearly all the help she gave me with multiple tonguing. Also, she focused on the musicality of pieces by assuring that I always knew what emotions I was conveying in a piece. This allowed me to grow in many aspects of playing at the same time. Years later I still remember all the valuable things she taught me. I know that without her I would not be where I am today.”

Heidi Rechin – former student, VCU, Richmond, VA

“Allyson Keyser saved my trumpet playing. After struggling with an embouchure change for a year and on the brink of giving up, she came to the rescue and identified exactly what I needed to do. She is like a doctor; she can diagnose the problems and always knows the right prescription. She is understanding, encouraging, and dedicated to doing what she loves most, teaching.“

Matthew Miller – SUNY Schenectady Alum, Schenectady, NY

“If you give anyone a trumpet, put her and that person in a room, and give her a week that person will come out being able to play with solid fundamentals. From day one she has pushed me and led me down a very promising path as a trumpeter. Each gig I have played outside of school people have approached me to say ‘You sound amazing! Where did you learn to play like that?’ and I eagerly reply ‘Dr.Allyson Keyser.’ This is my last semester with her and it seems like only yesterday we started our relationship as student and teacher. I hope to do her name good wherever I go in my travels. Thank you for your everlasting support as a teacher and a friend.”

Frank Gabriel Campos – Former Trumpet Professor, Ithaca College and author of the book Trumpet Technique

“Allyson is a superb teacher and performer who has sent us some of the most well prepared and musical students we have ever heard”

Jake DiMirra – SUNY Schenectady Alum, Schenectady NY

During my two years at SUNY Schenectady, Dr. Keyser had a huge impact on not only my trumpet playing, but also academics and professionalism. She helped me break through many physical and mental barriers of trumpet playing. One of her best qualities as an educator is that she does not take a “cookie-cutter” approach to teaching. Dr. Keyser ensures every lesson is tailored to what the student needs at that moment. She is always willing and able to help with all aspects of being a student. As a freshman she helped me tremendously with scheduling, planning, professionalism, stress management, and performance anxiety. Her expertise not only changed my trumpet playing, but also enabled me to start a professional career as a musician.

Linda Prazych – Flute player/Instructor,Retired Music Educator, South Colonie School District, Capital Region, NY

I have the pleasure of knowing Dr. Keyser for the past five years, both as a musician and educator.  Her performances are nothing but superb, whether as a soloist or an ensemble member.  Her flawless technical skills and musical interpretation are exceptional. Her high level of musicianship also speaks to her abilities as an educator.  Dr. Keyser has the skill to pin point exactly what needs to be done to impart knowledge to her students.  They demonstrate consistent growth under her kind and gentle leadership. On the podium and in the classroom, she is an advocate for all students, at all levels.  Dr. Keyser is a true leader, in every sense of the word.

Phil Pandori – Band Director, Niskayuna High School, Low Brass Adjunct Professor, SUNY Schenectady

As a player, Allyson is top notch. She makes playing the trumpet look easy and performs with facility, beauty, and musicality across all ranges of the instrument and in every musical style. She is a perfectionist. I have had the pleasure of playing next to Allyson on hundreds of gigs ranging from chamber music, to wind ensemble, to symphony orchestra – she is always practiced and prepared, elevating the rest of the group with her playing. She is consummate professional – on time, easy to work with, an advocate for the brass section, and a kind and supportive leader.

Allyson’s professionalism spans far past her seat in the ensemble room or on stage. As Adjunct Instructor of Low Brass at SUNY Schenectady, I have had the opportunity to collaborate on masterclasses, teaching institutes, as well as sit in her ensembles, classes, and workshops to witness her teaching first hand. Her pedagogical scope is broad, ranging from elementary, middle, and high school students, through college and professionals. Her proficiency on the podium and in the lesson room is equally impressive as her performing ability. Dr. Keyser understands the needs of students of all ages and abilities, and demands excellence in a kind and supportive manner. She is a true advocate for diversity, fairness, and inclusion and her passion for music is obvious and contagious; she instills this passion and drive to succeed in every student, motivating them to reach their fullest potential. Her SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and success.

Last March, I had the pleasure of sitting in on Dr. Keyser’s clinic at the New York State Band Director’s Symposium, The Keys to Unlocking your Brass Chops. Dr. Keyser’s perspective regarding working with students who have technical/physical challenges on their instruments, impressed everybody in attendance – so much so that she was requested to continue her clinic at NYSBDA’s Conn Selmer Institute that following summer. I have implemented Dr. Keyser’s pedagogical strategies to help students learn to play with ease and remove roadblocks directly into my own classroom and lessons. Her perspective is unique, and important to the profession. In a time where music programs are rebuilding, Dr. Keyser’s proposed book would be instrumental in the longevity of our craft, as well as a tool for all music educators to help their own students reach their full potential; as Dr. Keyser has done with thousands of students.

Omar Williams – Band Director, Shaker Middle School, NYSBDA, Trumpet Freelancer, Acting Principal of Schenectady-Saratoga Symphony Orchestra

Our paths first crossed when she was hired at SCCC (SUNY Schenectady) and we were introduced by a mutual acquaintance. We soon began playing together in a quintet, Brass Abbey, and I was immediately in awe of her musicianship and collegiality. Throughout the more than 10 years as a quintet, Allyson has spearheaded many opportunities for the students not only at SUNY Schenectady but musicians from the whole region. The Brass Day workshops are always engaging and dynamic with an emphasis on helping students make connections with others and their personal goals. She has invited students to perform on stage with us and always holds their interests first. As a middle school band/jazz director myself, I always encourage my students to attend. The timing in early October has truly ignited the spark in my younger students and furthered the advancement in my more seasoned ones. She has given students the opportunity to see how much bigger the musical world can be and they are the better for it.

Her advocacy on behalf of students is second-to-none as she continually connects with other 4-year colleges to bridge the transition for SUNY students. She keeps in contact with many former students as she is invested in their development and success. Allyson is my number-one call for gigs and teaching private lessons to my own band students. More recently, she took on a student who has been in my jazz ensemble who is an incredibly hard worker but struggled with range and endurance. This particular student sat 4th chair for two years. In one Summer, this student came back changed. During auditions I could hardly believe it was the same student. She played with ease, confidence, and an openness of sound that eluded her for several years. Without question, I moved this student up to the solo chair and her already great work ethic is propelling her to new heights due to the barriers Dr. Keyser helped lower.