I’m a professional clarinetist with a passion for teaching students of all ages to play clarinet as well they are able. I use positive reinforcement and a sense of humor to help motivate students. This doesn’t mean that I’m not demanding as a teacher. Nothing could be further from the truth. I do not let my students settle for mediocrity. I set high expectations; the key is to make the lesson fun. If students aren’t enjoying music, why are they in it? If they don’t have good feelings about lessons, they probably won’t attend concerts or want their children to participate in music in the future. I realize that very few students I teach will choose music as a career, but I can still help them to achieve as much as they can on the clarinet and to love music in the process.
My students have to possess a certain amount of self-motivation. I will not teach students who are not willing to practice. That is a waste of money and time. I will also not resort to negative tactics or intimidation to get a student to practice, so if a student thrives on that, I’m not for him or her.
I’ve been teaching for almost 30 years and have had numerous students who have been Oklahoma All-State clarinet players—many of them 1 st chair. A handful have gone on to major in music and are now band directors or in college. Most don’t even play anymore, but have gone on to live successful lives. It thrills me to see them as adults, being productive members of society.
I feel blessed to do what I love for a living. It’s what I feel I was put here to do.