Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.
A. I teach out of a studio in Olympia and I will be offering online lessons as well. These are in the fields of oboe, flute, clarinet, saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor), and music composition/song writing. I have a few students in each field currently but also with room to grow. Please do not hesitate to call or email!
Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?
A. I want everyone to remember that playing music, and writing it, is an art. It is an opportunity to express yourself.
Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?
A. I am a young professional who makes a big effort to find how to keep my students interested, as well as challenge them. I have students playing in various groups, as well as one young oboist playing principle oboe in the SOGO junior group. Since composition is my first love I use my ability to write music in my lesson plans, writing warm-ups and exercises for students. I have also worked with a few students on writing music for themselves. One of my oboe students recently performed a piece for unaccompanied oboe, an original composition he wrote.
I recently joined ASCAP and have a piece being published by Broadbent & Dunn Publishers. This is the beginning step toward doing what I love, even as I continue to share it with my students! Not everyone can say that they have studied with a published serious composer.
Q. What do you like most about your job?
A. The creativity! Trying new things with students and seeing them come to their own conclusions.
Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?
A. I have been a musician all of my life and to teach it only makes sense. I worked for a while as a youth symphony conductor, which was a blast, but I find individual instruction to be more effective. Also, as for my writing, I have been doing that my entire life as well but only recently decided to pursue publishing.
Q. Tell us about a recent job you did that you are particularly proud of.
A. A tenor saxophone student of mine has just made the All State Band here in WA. CONGRATULATIONS!
A flute student of mine, 5th grade, has written (with my help) and performed her second original piece for Flute and accompaniment.
An Oboe student is principle oboe in the SOGO Junior Orchestra
Online lessons are also available for people out of my area!
Q. What are the latest developments in your field? Are there any exciting things coming in the next few years or decade that will change your line of business?
A. The most exciting advancement in the field of private instruction will be the internet lessons! Ultimate convenience for all involved as well as a broader pool of teachers to draw from. I look forward to taking full advantage of this cyber revolution in the field of individual instruction. Email me if you would like to give this a try now!!
