Saxophone with Cameron P.

I am a professional music educator, clarinetist, bass clarinetist, composer, arranger, and more. I graduated from Central Michigan University (CMU) with two degrees: a Bachelors of Music Education (specializing in K-12 Instrumental Education) and a Bachelors of Music (specializing in Composition/Theory). Instrumental students can expect to improve on a weekly basis in their technique and abilities. Every instrumentalist is different— because of this, I structure my teaching so that students work on fundamental skills that are appropriate for their level of experience, all while simultaneously providing guidance so that students can discover and work on what they are personally passionate about. Composition/Theory students can also expect to improve on a weekly basis, though the approach is different compared to instrumental lessons. I structure my teaching in this subject area in a way that builds upon a student's previous knowledge while simultaneously introducing new ideas and concepts. Additionally, composition lessons focus on exploring the ideas and musical boundaries of students, and ultimately lead to the expansion of skill, thought, creativity, and knowledge of compositional abilities and processes. I teach students of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels. I have studied my primary instrument, clarinet, for 10 years, and have studied piano and music theory for 17 years. I can teach students to read music following a more traditional "classical" approach, to learn how to play music by ear, or both—the choice is up to the student. My personal creative passions are contemporary and experimental music, but I firmly believe in the importance of fundamentals and proper technique. These aspects play a vital role in my pedagogical approaches. I look forward to meeting you and helping you achieve your musical goals!