Cecelia P  
Instruments: Saxophone, Clarinet
Styles: Classical, Marching Band

My teaching experience dates back to my college days as I began teaching as an instructor for a local high school marching band, leading their woodwind sectionals and marching clinics. I began teaching full-time in 1992 and temporarily left full-time teaching in 1998 when my daughter was born. It was at this time that I first opened my home up to teaching privately. This ended up to be a great experience, and when I moved to Texas the following year, I began teaching with the Katy ISD private lesson program with a full-time load of students. This I did for several years until I took a full-time elementary teaching position with Spring Branch ISD. Once I began that job, I only kept a handful of students, and these students were always a blessing to me. Teaching privately affords me the opportunity to do special things for my family which I wouldn't be able to do otherwise.

For teaching clarinet students who are beginners, I use the book authored by Texas Lutheran University clarinet professor, Paula Corley entitled "So You Want to Play the Clarinet". Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I usually move to the Rubank books because of their varied content. If the student is working with a school group, we will sometimes work on that repertoire, but improving technique in general is always my focus. If I were to teach any adults (which I have not had the opportunity to do yet!), I think I would still start with Corley's book but then after that investigate what kinds of music they're hoping to play and touch on those things as well as work on advancing technique. I hope, too, that all of my students have an ensemble to play in whether they're homeschooled, attend a school, or are an adult learner.