Clarinet Lessons in Tarentum, PA

Instruments: Clarinet

My goal as a teacher is to share my knowledge and enthusiasm for music and the clarinet with my students. I prioritize creating a strong “toolkit” of fundamental skills that we can use for all of the music we perform. Beyond teaching these fundamental skills, I find it important to introduce my students to historical and modern repertoire, clarinet and music history, audition and performance strategies, and other important musical skills. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

My teaching experience dates back to my college days as I began teaching as an instructor for a local high school marching band, leading their woodwind sectionals and marching clinics. I began teaching full-time in 1992 and temporarily left full-time teaching in 1998 when my daughter was born. It was at this time that I first opened my home up to teaching privately. This ended up to be a great experience, and when I moved to Texas the following year, I began teaching with the Katy ISD private lesson program with a full-time load of students. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Music Keyboard

I started playing the saxophone at the age of seven. Having an incredible middle school band teacher, I was drawn to teaching at an early age. In 2001, I completed my student teaching at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse where I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in I K-12 Instrumental Music Education. I have taught students in various music classes, mostly band and music technology, in alternative, independent, and public schools for 15 years. Read More

Instruments: Clarinet

For beginner students, I start with teaching them the foundational clarinet skills including: embouchure, breathing, tonguing, and music theory. I then proceed to teach them the chromatic and major scales as well as arpeggios. I typically have students start off with working through the Essential Elements for Band and Rubank books. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire appropriate for their first recital performance or audition piece. Read More

Instruments: Piano Clarinet

From a young age, I have always enjoyed being involved in music. Throughout my childhood and teenage years, I found a home in the musical community within my town. I always will remember being inspired and challenged by lesson teachers, band and choir directors, and general music teachers that I have experienced throughout my life. The community of musicians and teachers that I have worked with inspired me to study and work towards becoming a music educator. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet

I will use whichever book students are using for their band class in addition to Rubank books. I will begin by teaching fundamentals using these books, then I continue to teach solo repertoire. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

My teaching style emphasizes areas that the student enjoys playing, as well as method books and technique exercises that will advance their playing. Developing and solidifying core concepts in lessons is more important to me than speeding through exercises in a book, and I always stress the importance of doing things right before moving on. I encourage my students to practice at their own pace, however I always stress that picking up the instrument for even just ten minutes a day for a week is better than one day for an hour. Read More