Lesson Details
French Horn
- Levels Taught:
- Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
All levels and ages welcome! Whether you are playing your first notes or you are preparing for a career, I would love to help you with your horn playing. I definitely emphasize technique and believe that strong fundamentals in breath control, articulation, and dynamic range are so incredibly helpful for the production of the gorgeous sound we all know and love in the Horn. My lessons differ greatly from student to student and I will work with you on any aspect of horn playing you would like to learn and improve.
Bethany teaches
About
- Teaches students:
- Ages 7+ and special needs
- Teaching since:
- 2008
Hello! My name is Bethany. I have been studying horn for almost 20 years and have been teaching for almost 10. I am currently located in Simi Valley, CA, a little valley located next to THE Valley, quite close to most of Los Angeles. I teach online lessons and local lessons in Ventura and Los Angeles County.
About Me | Teaching Method
As a teacher, I find the most joy in seeing technical improvement translate into artistic freedom and musicality. I also just love sharing my nerdy love for the horn with young musicians!
I tailor lessons and take time to understand each student's pace of learning and playing style. I typically write out customized warm ups for each of my students that highlight aspects of horn playing that promote flexibility and teach music theory. I use etudes in not only a way that promotes technique, but also in a way that inspires creativity, giving a student freedom to experiment with musicality and composition. Students are welcome to bring me any ensemble, solo, or audition music they wish to work on.
Lesson Details | Private Horn Lessons
Local Lessons: I will drive to you! The only required equipment is 2 chairs and 1 stand. A piano/keyboard is preferred for music theory and ear training aspects of horn playing but not necessary.
Online Lessons: I use Skype mostly; I can of course use any method of video chat that you prefer.
Experience
Horn Player
Jun 2014 - PresentFreelance Performer in Santa Barbara County, Ventura County, and Los Angeles County.
- orchestral musician
- recording musician
- small ensemble and chamber musician
Horn Player
Sep 2014 - Jun 2015Performer with the Westmont College faculty woodwind quintet.
Horn Instructor
Aug 2014 - Jun 2015Horn Instructor to college-level students of Westmont College.
Education
Music Performance
Sep 2010 - Jun 2014Languages
English
German
Spanish
Awards
Outstanding Service Award
Jun 2014Dean of Undergraduate Education Award
Jun 2014Distinction in the Major
Jun 2014Maurice Faulkner Brass Scholarship
Sep 2010Affiliations
International Horn Society
Jan 2008Since 1970, The International Horn Society (IHS) has been an organization of people from around the world drawn together with a mutual interest in the horn. We are dedicated to the performance, teaching, composition, research, preservation, and promotion of the horn as a musical instrument.
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6 Reviews
Write a ReviewMy daughter is enjoying her lessons! Bethany has been patient and encouraging with my daughter being brand new to the instrument.
Great first lesson!
Bethany is a wonderful instructor! She is consistently caring and insightful, and has appropriately high expectations--which push her students to improve. She was able to help me wisely choose music that would be both challenging and rewarding. I highly recommend her, and I had a great experience taking lessons from her.
Show MoreI have had the pleasure of collaborating with Bethany over the years and can't recommend her enough for lessons. She is professional, efficient, and a wonderful musician. She has a unique musical insight and intuition that shows in her performances. Bethany has always been incredible at explaining ideas in both a constructive and clear manner. She is a wonderful, patient, kind teacher, and has inspired many, including myself with her playing and discipline in honing her craft.
Show MoreI received horn lessons from Bethany when I was a music minor at UCSB. Bethany was a wonderful teacher and helped me prepare for various recitals. She was always incredibly patient and had a knack for explaining complex techniques in an understandable and clear way. She broke everything down in a way that really worked for me and helped me improve. I always left her lessons knowing how to tackle my practice sessions in an efficient way.
Show MoreI had Bethany as my horn instructor at Westmont college. Not only is she a great French horn player, but she is a really talented teacher! I wasn't a music major, but she met with me where I was and gave me great fundamental skills. She always was efficient in our time together and I improved because she was able to target my weaknesses and highlight my strengths.
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