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MM, Peabody Conservatory of Music, Oboe Performance
BM, Peabody Convervatory of Music, Oboe Performance
2010-2012 - Featured Soloist at the "Celebration of Music" Concerts for 89.5 WSCL in Sailsbury, MD.
2007 - Dean's Honors Convocation Featured Soloist at Peabody Conservatory
2006 - Runner up in the Yale Gordon Solo Competition at Peabody
I am a professional oboe player and I love to teach! Inspiring others to make music and learn about music is the most fulfilling part of my career. I graduated with a Master of Music degree from the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, Maryland in 2009, and I am the Second Oboe and English Horn player in the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra as well as Co-Principal Oboe of the Endless Mountain Music Festival in Wellsboro, PA. I perform frequently with the Lancaster Symphony and Richmond Symphony as a freelance player and I also have a business making and selling oboe and English horn reeds. I have also performed in music festivals in Maine and Ohio, and new music festivals in Italy! I have studied with many great musicians and they have all given me so much, I want to do the same for my students.
I have lots of experience teaching; I began teaching in my private in-home studio right after college about 6 years ago. I was even interviewed about my teaching and performing for papers in the Delmarva region. In educational outreach I have performed serveral times over the last couple years with the Musical Ambassadors Program that the Richmond Symphony founded, playing woodwind quintet music in schools all over Virginia and teaching the kids about elements of music and the instruments we play. I also have served as a substitute oboe instructor with the University of Richmond. My students have gotten seats in the All State Band and do well in their school bands because I have a lot of experience with auditioning and I always encourage students to at least try! Playing music is very rewarding and I try to find a style that appeals to my students so they can connect to what they are doing and feel excited about taking on challenges.
My teaching method is tailored to each student depending on their level and what they want out of the lessons. I start out beginner students with a beginner method book depending on what instrument they are studying with me and progress to etudes, solo repertoire and even orchestral excerpts as they advance. We work together to find fun ways to practice and understand music performance in a variety of different styles. I can guide the lessons to accomodate everyone's needs - from students looking to make music for fun to those looking to eventually audition for jobs with an orchestra. Everyone can play music and have it enrich their lives!
I firmly believe that everyone can learn to play music well. Natural talent exists but if you have the passion and desire then you can achieve anything! I plan the lessons around the individual student and their needs and focus on keeping the students eager and positive by emphasizing strengths and finding solutions for improving areas of difficulty.