Flute Lessons in Broomfield, CO

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder

  I started playing clarinet in the school band at age six.  My father was a musician, and he thought that playing in the school band would help me overcome my extreme shyness. I remember my first music lesson.  I really liked my teacher.  He came to my house, and he helped me to care for my clarinet and make some sounds on it.  I thought playing the clarinet was wonderful.  Once in awhile my mom would have to urge me to practice, but I was so drawn to playing the clarinet from the start that I would practice a lot on my own.   I was the youngest member of the grade school band, but my music lessons helped me to keep up with the older kids.  I had found a niche, and my niche helped me open up to other students in school and make friends.   I participated in band programs through middle school and high school. In middle school I began studying saxophone and flute so I could play in the jazz band.  As a high school junior and senior I also got the opportunity to play in the Denver University Concert Band, and I was first chair clarinet in Colorado All-State Band and Orchestra.   I attended the University of Denver on a swimming scholarship as an Accounting Major and Music Minor.  I was first clarinet in the 1st Infantry Army Band at Ft. Meade, Maryland and then I toured Europe as first chair flute in the 3rd Army Band based in Wurzburg, Germany.  I was honorably discharged after a three year tour.  I returned to the states and enrolled in Metropolitan State College as a Music Performance Major.   I started teaching and playing professionally during college and have done so ever since.  In the course of my career I have performed with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra (CSO) on clarinet and saxophone, on second clarinet with the Central City Opera, and as a soloist for the Littleton and Jefferson Symphony Orchestras on clarinet and saxophone. I have performed on woodwinds for the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities and the Denver Municipal Band.  I have played shows at the Boulder Dinner Theater, the Country Dinner Playhouse, the Littleton Town Hall Center for the Arts, the Schwayder Theater, and the new Lone Tree Center for the Arts and with PHAMLY (the Physically Handicapped Actors & Musical Artists League) and Magic Moments.   I have played professionally many styles of music (jazz, blues, pop, ethnic, klezmer, polkas) for clubs, parties, weddings, and concerts with the Benny Goodman Band, Tommy Dorsey Band, Jay Wieder Dance Orchestra, Moments Notice, Rave Reviews, and Ad Hoc Entertainment in big band, quartet, trio and duo settings.   I have been featured on many CDs for such artists as Mary Stribling, Georgeann Low, Neil Haverstick, Big Junior, Scott Smith, Martha Yordy and Ben Cohen.   I also perform concerts and record with Combo Amazo, a band that plays original jazz, blues, bluegrass, and klezmer.  We were featured on the several NPR radio shows including E-town with Richie Havens. I lead a strolling duo on clarinet with guitar that played in the Denver International Airport Concert Series for 20 years and is available for any event.   I decided to teach because I wanted to share the enthusiasm and joy I have for music with students.  I feel passionate about helping develop a child’s talents as a musician. I relate to well kids and can provide an atmosphere where kids are motivated to learn.  I also enjoy teaching adults.   I help the student build good fundamentals.  I customize lessons to define and reach realistic goals and address students’ school band needs or other musical activities.  I respect students’ other interests and pursuits.  I am an experienced professional musician well versed in woodwinds and a variety of styles.  I can offer students a broad spectrum of musical knowledge.  I can teach all levels from a young beginner to an adult professional.  I have given clinics at many local high schools.  I would love to share my skills and expertise with students.