Clarinet Lessons in Monarch Beach, CA

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

After studying under some amazing private teachers, I started teaching saxophone and clarinet when I was in High School. Since then, I have taught hundreds of students of all ages and skill levels privately and in conjunction with music institutions. I was the manager of Educator's Music in Twinsburg, Ohio for 3 years. After moving to California, I continued teaching private lessons through Musika and other online services. I have over 20 years of professional performing and teaching experience. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola Saxophone Flute Clarinet Oboe English Horn Acoustic Guitar

Music is experienced ears-first, and that's how I prefer to teach. I certainly teach everyone to read music if they don't already know how, but I really like to help people hear the music they want to make. This is done through listening assignments, playing with my students during lessons, some music memorization, and singing. I also incorporate a lot of improvisation games to get students making sounds pressure-free and help them access their inner expressive voice. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

When I teach students I prefer to keep them organized on a seasonal basis; setting goals for the long term and the short term so that the student is busy and occupied. Every student has a different approach to learning and it is important to develop a plan that works for every student. I usually recommend that students keep track of their practising in a journal so that they can reflect on their goals and development. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Saxophone Flute Clarinet

With beginning students, I start with the fundamentals of the instrument, including embouchure and finger technique, as well as the ability to breathe properly, which is fundamental to playing any wind instrument.  I also introduce beginning students to basic musical concepts, such as reading music, and tailor the musical selection to their tastes or to whatever group they are playing in, most often a school band class.  For more advanced students, I observe what areas the student needs the most work in and tailor the lessons specifically to dealing with those areas, as well as catering to their individual musical tastes. Read More

Instruments: Clarinet

Teaching style is what the student wants to accomplish. I feel its important for the student to learn at his or her own pace and i would set realistic goals for each student as I believe the every student is unique. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I like my students to bring a small notebook, so that they may write their homework down, and any practice assignments.  I expect my students to keep a practice log of how much time they practice per week, in between lessons.  I always insist that setting goals and expectations for them, is very important, as well as keeping track of whether they themselves are staying on task.  I try and incorporate different ways of practicing or playing music, so that even practicing turns into being fun and exciting and doesn't feel like a chore.  Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet Music

Playing music is fun! Lessons should reflect that. One of the things I learned in my studies was to hold my students to their own standard of excellence instead of trying to have them meet my own. In addition to all of the technical aspects of playing an instrument, the greatest asset a musician has is their musical concept of sound. I highly encourage all of my students to listen to the greatest players of their respective instruments. Read More