Welcome to my Clarinet Studio!

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As a clarinet educator, I make it my mission to meet each student where they are and help them efficiently build their skills with confidence.

I break down the process of mastering the clarinet into clear and relatable concepts by creatively adapting my instruction to get the best results for each individual student.

Beyond the nuts and bolts of learning the instrument and improving  technique, I help my students discover their own musicality and lead them to become more compelling artistic performers.

 

I enjoy working with all ages and skill levels. Are you just starting with your school band? Do you want to polish a piece for a music festival? Audition for first chair? Play again as an adult after years off? Prepare for a recital? Learn as a doubler? Prepare a professional orchestral audition? I thrive on all of this and I will help you achieve your goals.

 

My teaching philosophy centers on positivity and encouragement with an efficient and practical approach. I strive to develop an ease of playing to allow freedom of musical expression.  Let’s have fun and elevate your clarinetistry! 

 

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My work often takes me to Toronto to perform with the National Ballet of Canada Orchestra, a post I have held for 20 years. In my position. I enjoy playing a wide variety of repertoire that often includes the E flat and Bass clarinets. Living in Chicago, I freelance regularly playing all sorts of different venues, ensembles and music. I have performed with local chamber ensembles 5th House Ensemble, Quintet Attacca, C.U.B.E. and MusicNow Chicago Symphony Orchestra. I have also performed with the Chicago Philharmonic, Oregon Symphony, Sarasota Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Civic Orchestra of Chicago, New World Symphony and the Canadian Opera Company. Conductors I have been fortunate to work with include Neeme Järvi, Pierre Boulez, Daniel Barenboim, Bramwell Tovey, Christoph Eschenbach and Osmo Vänskä.

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Originally from Nova Scotia, Canada, I studied clarinet with Stan Fisher at Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. I completed training as an educator as well as performer and I graduated with both a Bachelor of Music Education degree and a Bachelor of Music Performance degree. I then furthered my studies at Depaul University in Chicago completing a Master of Music degree, studying with Larry Combs. Other teachers include John Bruce Yeh and David McGill.