Teaching

Private Bassoon Lessons in the New Haven, CT area

One-hour lesson: $80
Reeds: $30 / each
Additional Engagements & Opportunities: Complimentary tickets (as available) to performances; Please see the lesson FAQ below for more information.

FAQ

Who should play the bassoon?: Anyone interested in it! In particular, the nature of the bassoon is well-suited to those who like a challenge, are fascinated by the results of complex systems working together, and are eager to create and develop a wide palette of musical sound-color.
Why play bassoon?: I always tell people that I didn’t pick the bassoon; the bassoon picked me. Before I first picked up the bassoon in middle school, I played piano, clarinet, and saxophone, before finding my truest musical voice! We all have a different path that leads us to the instrument, and the variety of musical and extramusical backgrounds within the bassoon community make it vibrant and rich.
How would you describe your philosophy?: As a teacher, my job is to help students to cultivate, simultaneously, a mindset of abundance and continuous growth. It is a great privilege to study and teach music, explore its possibilities, and welcome it into your own life in a unique way. All students are capable of engaging in meaningful, expressive, communicative music-making from their first day on the instrument! Yet even for professionals at the highest level of performance, the work will never be done, and requires continuous and thoughtful effort in order to fulfill maximum potential. Remember, our standards for ourselves grow at the same rate (and oftentimes faster) than our physical abilities on the instrument. Music is a meeting of the many subjects that students study throughout the school day—Art, Science, Math, Language, History, and most definitely Physical Education! Bassoon lessons are a vehicle to cultivate holistic musicianship and develop a lifelong curiosity for how all the elements of music-making come together. I incorporate ear-training, music theory, score study, and reed-making (for advanced students) into the work, as well as cultivating further individual curiosity through listening assignments.
What can we expect in studying with you?: We are always on the same team, moving toward a common goal of growth through music. It is always my goal that lessons begin with a comfortable environment, which will allow us to make the most of our time. As a mentor, I learn a great deal from each of my students, and it is always important that our teacher-student-parent relationships are built on a foundation of mutual respect and trust. The bassoon is our vehicle, but music is the greater purpose of our practice. As your teacher, I’m here for you to help with all things music-related, beyond the daily practice of playing bassoon. Regardless of your long-term musical goals, our lessons are a place for asking questions, making mistakes, and trying new ideas, as well as mindfulness, intentionality, and personal growth. I am happy to guide and advise you with any music-related matters at any level. Whether it’s auditioning for summer programs, honors ensembles at the all-city, regional, or all-state level, applying for scholarships and grants, exploring other musical interests, and researching, applying, and auditioning for college programs, I am here to help you throughout the entire process.
I don’t have a bassoon right now, but I want to take lessons. Where should I get an instrument? Should I rent or buy one?: Finding an instrument can be tricky, and I am here to help with that process. Each individual has different circumstances; thus, there is no simple “one-size-fits-all” solution. Here are a few paths to getting a bassoon into your hands: 1. The first place to look is through your school’s music program. Due to bassoon being a less commonly studied instrument in middle school and high school programs in general, many schools’ bassoons sit in a closet for years at a time in a state of disrepair. If your child’s school has a music program which you’re involved with, speak with their music teacher about the availability of a bassoon, and the condition that the instrument is in. If you are able to procure an instrument this way, bring it to our first lesson, regardless of what state it is in. The first lesson usually does not involve playing, as it will take us time to work through the anatomy and handling of the instrument and its necessary accessories. In doing this, I will be happy to inspect the state of the instrument, and recommend the next steps, whether it needs maintenance (some of which I can do), or if it might be ready to play. 2. Renting an instrument is a great option. I am happy to recommend a rental source and help with this process on an individual basis. 3. Buying an instrument is also a great investment if you are ready to take that step. Quality bassoons are significant purchases, and prices vary widely by model, age, and condition. Like with renting, I am happy to help you evaluate instruments at any budget when purchasing comes into consideration.
What constitutes success as a bassoon student?: This question has a different answer for anyone who asks it! I work with students to identify and refine goals for lessons and study. Each of us has our own path and our own pace, with many different forms of success along the way. If you approach your time with the instrument from a place of curiosity, intentionality, open-mindedness, diligence, and gratitude, you are well on your way to fulfilling success—in whatever form it takes for you.
As a parent of a bassoon student, how can I best support my child’s success?: GREAT QUESTION! Parental support is extremely important to the up-and-coming musician, in the multitude of forms it takes—financial investment, emotional encouragement, rides to lessons and rehearsals, the list goes on. Parents can foster curiosity and creativity in their musician/bassoonist children by playing music in the car, while making dinner, and while studying the repertoire that we are working on in lessons. Regardless of a parent’s musical background or knowledge, some curiosity from the parental side can go a long way for the student—finding and attending concerts happening nearby, connecting with parents and students in the youth music community, staying up-to-date with your child’s musical needs, seeing that your child is building consistent and productive practice habits, and engaging in dialogue about their repertoire and how lessons are going, are all great ways for the parents to be active supporters of their child’s musical journey.