Clarinet Lessons in Lombard, IL

Instruments: Clarinet

I always held passionate teaching as the key to passionate artists. My teaching career began early, while I was still a university student, teaching privately. Later I was the Clarinet instructor at Carl Sandburg High School and A.A. Stagg High school. In Los Angeles I was again a private instructor, but also a faculty member at the Beverly Hills Conservatory of Music. The variety of students and locations provided valuable lessons in tailoring my teaching to the needs of student.  While living in Japan I had the opportunity to present masterclasses in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture, teaching using only Japanese language. This experience taught me the value of words, and also the importance of ensuring that students are able to comprehend all discussed material. Last year, I was invited to teach a masterclass in Seoul, Korea, working with Choongheon Lee, Principal Clarinet of the CheongJu City Symphony. Throughout my teaching career, I have had students succeed in All-District Band, All-District Orchestra, All-State Honors Band, and some to continue as Clarinet Performance Majors.

Instruments: Clarinet

I have been teaching formally for the past 17 years in university, high school, and community music school settings. I have taught students at all levels of ability from highly diverse cultural backgrounds. The most exciting moment for me is when a student catches on to a new concept and overcomes a fear or limitation. I try to incorporate each student's outside interests into the study of music, relating everything from computer science, history, skateboarding, you-name-it to the practice of music. I have taught not only clarinet over the years, but also music technology, multimedia, and general music. There is not a subject I find boring, and I try to instill that love of learning in my students as well.

Instruments: Piano Voice Saxophone Clarinet

My teaching approach focuses primarily on tone production - I think this is the most important fundament to teach young students. I like to use the Hal Leonard Essential Elements or equivalent beginner book (Hovey, Rubank for clarinet) to start the student off, but as they become more advanced, it's important to introduce repertoire to them. I allow the student some individuality here - what kind of music would they like to play? Young students love playing the pop tunes, so I whole-heartedly accept them finding a book of broadway or pop tunes and brining it to lessons. For the older students, I always go to the Rose 32 Etudes for Clarinet, focusing primarily on the slower etudes to continue developing tone. Scales are also a must for all ages - I stress the importance of tone with these exercises because it's not just about the fingers. 

Instruments: Piano Voice Clarinet Keyboard

I'm a certified music and French teacher who loves helping students progress towards their musical goals! I graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Illinois State University. I have over a decade of musical training, both vocal and instrumental. I am also fluent in French and have a lot of experience with the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), which means I greatly enjoy helping students to learn music in foreign languages! Some of my favorite musical experiences include singing operatic roles, performing in Carnegie Hall in NYC and Orchestra Hall in Chicago, and singing solos and descants with the Illinois Symphony Orchestra!