Hello, and Thank You For Your Interest In My Trumpet Studio
Discover the joy of studying trumpet with Saeger Studios, where professional San Diego trumpeter Tim Saeger delivers expert private instruction for beginners through advanced students. With over 20 years of experience performing everything from big band jazz and classical weddings to regular appearances with the San Diego Symphony (including Summer Pops and Masterworks concerts), Tim brings real-world expertise and passion directly to your lessons. His students are consistently the most represented in California State and regional honor ensembles, with achievements that include a former student winning the undergraduate division in the National Trumpet Competition. Whether you’re passionate about pursuing a career in music or simply want to excel at making music with friends in band, Tim’s lessons are fully tailored to your individual needs and desires in a supportive, goal-oriented environment. And the best part? Your first lesson is free*. Come meet Tim, experience a lesson, and decide if Saeger Studios is the right fit for you. Book today and discover the difference professional, personalized, flexible trumpet instruction can make.
*30min, Local, In Person only (not online).
About Tim
Tim Saeger is a dedicated professional trumpeter and educator based in San Diego with over 20 years of experience in the music industry. A San Diego native, Tim has built a versatile freelance career performing across a wide range of styles, from big band jazz and classical orchestras to classical wedding ceremonies and everything in between. He is a frequent performer with the San Diego Symphony, serving as substitute and extra trumpet since 2018, including as first-call Assistant Trumpet on Pops and Fox Film Concerts—where his expertise in the upper register is regularly utilized—and as utility trumpet on classical Masterworks performances. Tim has also performed at prominent San Diego venues such as the Rady Shell and Jacobs Music Center, as well as with the Shadow Mountain Church Orchestra (as Principal Trumpet and soloist since 2006 in their internationally broadcast services featuring a full orchestra and large choir), Classics4Kids Orchestra (since 2004, bringing classical music to local youth and underprivileged communities), and the Pacific Sound Brass Quintet as a founding chamber musician.
In addition to his orchestral and ensemble work, Tim has enjoyed a successful run as a Broadway musician from 2007 to 2012, playing trumpet for touring productions at San Diego theaters including The Wizard of Oz, Dr. Zhivago, A Catered Affair, The Drowsy Chaperone, and Peter Pan. He has performed with numerous other groups such as the San Diego Chamber Orchestra, La Jolla Playhouse, Old Globe Theater, Starlight Theater, Baja Symphony, and at the San Diego Zoo. Earlier in his career, Tim was a finalist for two prestigious positions with elite military bands: the U.S. Air Force Airmen of Note in Washington, D.C., and the Air Force Academy Band in Colorado. These accomplishments reflect his high level of musicianship and versatility as a performer.
As a passionate trumpet educator, Tim has been teaching since 2003 and currently coaches trumpet sections at four major local high schools: Mount Carmel, Del Norte, Westview, and Mira Mesa. Through Saeger Studios, his private trumpet studio, he teaches up to 60 private lessons per week and works with over 100 students. His students consistently rank as the most represented from any private trumpet instructor in California All-State and Southern California honor ensembles, with many going on to earn college scholarships and succeed in school bands. One former student achieved national recognition by winning the undergraduate division of the National Trumpet Competition. In recent years, both Del Norte and Westview High School (where Tim teaches trumpet), their trumpet sections were tied for having the most representation in the entire state of California.
Beyond his performing and coaching credentials, Tim considers himself an expert in embouchure development and adjustment. He has helped countless students overcome common challenges, build efficient and healthy technique, and unlock greater range, endurance, and tone quality. Many players who felt stuck or frustrated with their sound have seen dramatic improvements after working with him on targeted embouchure refinements. If you or your child are looking to strengthen your foundation or solve persistent issues on the trumpet, Tim strongly encourages you to book a free first lesson. Come experience his approach firsthand, hear his insights on embouchure and overall playing, and decide whether Saeger Studios is the right fit for your musical goals.
Tim regularly performs as extra and first-call Assistant Trumpet with the San Diego Symphony on their popular Pops, Broadway, and film-with-live-orchestra concerts. These include live-to-picture presentations of nearly all the major Star Wars films, Harry Potter, How to Train Your Dragon, Jurassic Park, West Side Story, and many other cinematic scores. He has also performed with legendary artists and bands such as The Who, Tower of Power, Foreigner, Cynthia Erivo, Leslie Odom Jr., Kristin Chenoweth, Jennifer Hudson, The Beach Boys, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Cypress Hill, and many more at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park. Additional highlights include multiple seasons of The Nutcracker with the San Diego Symphony, as well as concerts at the iconic Salk Institute and a wide variety of other Pops and special events.