Background Check
Student Favorite
Leslie K.
Background Check
Student Favorite
Teaching Locations:
Online
About Leslie K.
Leslie is a Denver based musician—clarinetist and teacher—who performs in solo and collaborative projects across the state while maintaining an active teaching studio. Leslie is in high demand as both a performer and teacher. Recent performances include solo performances is Denver and Stapleton, several chamber performances with her wind trio Enigma, and appearances with the Lone Tree Symphony, the San Juan Symphony, Lakewood Symphony, the Denver Pops Orchestra, the Littleton Symphony, the Lamont Symphony Orchestra, and several engagements as a musician for musicals in Aurora, Boulder, Conifer, Denver, and Evergreen.
After she began playing clarinet with her hands switched, and consequently as the worst clarinetist in her band, Leslie began studying privately and soon discovered that she wasn't all that bad, and with the help of a strong teacher, she became a strong clarinetist and received full scholarships to study music in both college and graduate school. Because of her own experiences struggling in large music classes, and her positive experiences with private lessons, Leslie developed a desire and drive for teaching and helping her own students improve the way her teachers helped her. In addition to clarinet, Leslie also plays the saxophone and flute. Leslie is a passionate educator who has spent time on faculty at Mt. Holyoke College and the Eaglebrook School. She currently maintains a large private studio in Denver and is an active guest clinician across Colorado.
Leslie studied clarinet at Adams State, the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and recently completed a Performance Certificate at the University of Denver. Influential teachers include Dr. Tracy Doyle, SMsgt. Claudia Weir, Michael Sussman, and Dr. Jeremy Reynolds. Leslie loves the color green, otters, Beethoven Symphony Number 7, Mozart operas, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, the smell of rain, and her rather aggressive, toothless cat.
Reviews
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Great first lesson.
Online
Online
Great first lessons! Leslie is amazing with my daughters.
Online
Leslie was wonderful with my son. She was patient and encouraging and was able to explain things very clearly.
Online
Excellent first lesson! Leslie is patient, kind, and encouraging. This is going to be fun! Will come back later to update review after a few more lessons.
Online
Online
Very patient and great and reenforcing. A great instructor
Student's Home
Leslie is a very competent, friendly and generous teacher who can adapt well to his/her students. She answers all specific questions and shows flexibility when changing the lesson schedule. We enjoyed the lessons with Leslie very much.
Online
Great 1st lesson
Online
Leslie is awesome! My son is so excited to play his saxophone again!!!
Online
Online
Knowledgeable; flexible, adaptable and willing to meet the student where the student is at; friendly; patient; positive; reinforcing & encouraging; willing to answer any question at any time; actively provides adjunctive information and references.
Online
Online
Wonderful teacher
Online
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Leslie was very patient but thorough with my beginning saxophone player. She stressed the goal of having fun with music - and my daughter did!
Online
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Leslie was endlessly patient with my beginner status and had great suggestions for how to practice efficiently and make some of the transitions I was having trouble with, like b flat to c to c sharp.
Online
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Leslie is very knowledgeable, flexible, listens well, teaches well and very encouraging. I couldn’t ask for more, and I’ve had three other teachers.
I’m excited about learning from her.
Online
Leslie has been amazing with our 13 year old who is learning saxophone as a beginner. She has taken the time to get to know our daughter and is a great listener. She teaches while involving Emma in the lesson plan. She is collaborative but has clear expectations for growth; it has been the instructional style our daughter needed. Leslie has also been very flexible with last minute schedule changes and is very responsive. We were nervous to use this platform as a new student, but it has been more effective than in-person instruction. Highly recommend Leslie!
Student's Home
My son has fallen back in love with playing his saxophone again. Thanks, Leslie, for your expertise and encouragement.
Student's Home
An amazing teacher that takes things at my pace and explains things as in depth as I need
I couldn’t ask for a better teacher
I highly recommend her to anyone looking for a clarinet instructor
Online
Student's Home
Leslie is a great teacher for my 9 year old daughter. She is fun and upbeat but also makes sure my daughter is learning.
Teacher's Studio
She was great
Online
of to a good start. Enjoyed the lesson.
Online
Great introduction.
Teacher's Studio
Great first lesson! Leslie was very professional, prepared and thorough. Really liked the way she walked through everything and was always open for questions along the way. She gave both positive and constructive feedback.
Photos & Videos
2 Photos & Videos
Experience
Freelance Clarinetist
Aug 2008 - PresentSelf
Performing with various ensembles ranging from chamber ensembles to full orchestras on a per-service basis. Experience includes playing for symphony orchestras, full-scale operas, musicals, and film scores.
Adjunct Instructor
Jan 2019 - May 2019Adams State University
Adjunct instructor of Clarinet Literature and Pedagogy. Duties included leading lectures and running research projects related to the clarinet and the instruction of the clarinet. Helped students to gain a wider knowledge base of clarinet literature, including solo literature, etudes, and orchestral excerpts, and how to instruct other student on clarinet playing.
Clarinetist, Camp Counselor, Instructor
May 2009 - Aug 2016Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp
Served as a counselor and International Program Assistant. Duties included leading sectionals for major symphonic works, and supervising & performing repertoire with students throughout western Europe as a part of Blue Lake’s International Exchange Program
Clarinet Instructor
Oct 2013 - May 2015The Eaglebrook School
Responsible for managing and instructing entire clarinet studio. Duties included providing weekly individualized instruction to each studio member with a heavy focus on building correct technique and fundamental clarinet skills
Clarinet Instructor, Adjunct
Aug 2013 - May 2014Mount Holyoke College
Responsible for managing and instructing entire clarinet studio. Duties included providing weekly individualized instruction to each studio member, collaborating and coaching students to prepare professional-level recitals, instructing an elective course in Klezmer Clarinet Techniques, and coordinating lesson and event scheduling with students and other faculty members.
Teaching Assistant
Sep 2011 - May 2013University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Duties included managing studio operations and leading weekly classes for a studio of 25 clarinetists, coordinating lesson schedules and events with faculty members, providing weekly private lessons to 6 undergraduate students, and teaching Clarinet Tech to a class of 30 undergraduate music education students.
Education
Performance Certificate, Clarinet
Sep 2017 - May 2018University of Denver
MM Music Performance, Clarinet
Sep 2011 - May 2013University of Massachusetts Amherst
BA Music Performance
Aug 2006 - May 2011Adams State University
Languages
English
Fluent / Native Proficiency
Affiliations
International Clarinet Association
Jan 2010Let Our Student Counselors Help You
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