West McLean, VA Clarinet Lessons

love or reading through a classical concerto, I’ll help prepare you or your child to tackle a wide variety of styles, without missing out on any of the basics that turn good players into phenomenal musicians. We all know it’s not about being the best. It’s about having fun, and playing music well is definitely fun.

Practice makes perfect! Learning an instrument helps build self-confidence and discipline. If your child’s bored, distracted, or just needs a constructive hobby, music is a great place to get them interested in something that will help them feel better about themselves, and the effects will be felt across everything else they do, through better studying habits to a more patient, diligent work ethic.

It’s also relaxing! Stressed about work? Need an escape? Maybe you want to sound like [insert piano player here]. Everybody has the power to learn an instrument. Seriously, there’s no such thing as “talent.” Just start lessons and get practicing! It really is that simple, and I’ll guide you through every step of the way.

I have a diverse background teaching students of all ages, from 3-year-olds to retirees alike, customizing what we learn to the individual student. We’ll learn how to read music just as easily as you read words; improvise and compose music of our own; and feel good playing any style: classical, jazz, rock, and all. My experience as a working musician in films, musical theater, and pop music, as well as classical concert music, allows me to appreciate and teach styles that many other instructors overlook, and I know full well that learning an instrument is not about becoming a professional; it’s about being able to connect to others or oneself through music… and also to just have fun! There’s no need to learn music we don’t like! It’s not about stuffing Beethoven into your kids’ ears… we just want to make music, be that Beethoven or Billy Joel.

Music lasts a lifetime. I know that’s a terrible cliché, but it’s true, and few other skills can claim that. I don’t want to sugarcoat it: it takes time to learn an instrument. It takes practice, and sometimes it’s frustrating. But the results are well worth it, and like a snowball rolling down a hill, the longer you do it, the faster you get… or something like that. There’s a legitimate analogy in there somewhere.

Now get out there and make some music! But start by signing up for lessons. I can’t wait to get started!

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“What’s that chord?” “Why does all my music sound the same?” “How do I fix this voicing?” “I just can’t get it out of my head!” …sound familiar? You’ve probably hit a rut. Or maybe you’re just starting out. Either way, you want your music to sound new, exciting, and to come out exactly how you hear it in your head. Yes… you CAN learn to compose music, you CAN learn to be more creative, and you CAN learn to share your sound with the world.

Film music, classical, jazz… whatever your interest, all music comes from the same place, and by learning a handful of basic concepts, you can apply these to whatever style you’re trying to write. Learning to emulate another musician involves knowing what they’re doing. Learning to create a groundbreaking sound requires that you know what’s already been done, and how to achieve it. Step by step, we’ll work our way there.

We’ll learn how to write cool, interesting chord progressions, how to write beautiful melodies, and how to voice chords. We’ll learn how to control the mood of our music, from making it sound relaxed to adding tension wherever we want. Maybe you’re trying to write for an orchestra, or just a small band. By learning the basics, you can then easily break away from what’s been done and come up with something truly new… the goal of any aspiring composer!

lorida, spent 18 years as a teacher trainer in Japan for a major English school chain specializing in children ages 1 ½ on up.

Chemistry, and DAT Prep.

m more likely to practice and continue with the clarinet long-term. I'm an uplifting, hardworking, and caring person and my teaching style is encouraging, precise, and collaborative. My goal is to help you be "a cut above the rest". I look forward to helping you reach your goals!

a jazz emphasis while playing jazz saxophone at Northwestern University. I have spent the last 4 years teaching at a British International School in China, and performing in orchestras, funk bands, and more around Beijing. This has given me the experience and knowledge base to teach students of all ages and backgrounds, as well as to teach many different instruments across a wide range of styles, including: clarinet, flute, saxophone, oboe, bassoon, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, tuba, beginning piano, and rock bands.

, From The Top. Nathan continued to perform with orchestras all around Boston, including the Boston Latin American Project, the Boston Philharmonic, and the Boston Mozart Society. When working with composer John Heiss, Nathan was an Honors Chamber Music performer for two years and was a frequent performer with NEC’s Contemporary Ensemble. Hailed by the Boston Musical Intelligencer for his “melting” tone, Nathan became a founding member and principal clarinetist of the Love and Friendship Orchestra, a revolutionary project led by pianist and conductor, Yannick Rafalimanana. Nathan also performed with the New World Symphony, led by conductor Michael Tilson Thomas. Nathan’s biggest inspirations include Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem as well as actor Nicolas Cage.