Claire C
Instruments: Clarinet
Styles: Classical, Pop
Claire C
Instruments: Clarinet
Styles:
Classical, Pop
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 5-80
2022 - University of Pittsburgh Music Department Mildred Miller Posvar Scholarship
2019-2023 - University of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Principal Clarinetist
2017 - NVMTA Woodwind Concerto Competition Winner
2017 - Young Musicians Inspiring Change International Competition Winner
2016 - Asian American Music Society’s International Competition Winer
I am a clarinetist from Potomac, Maryland and has been playing the clarinet for eleven years. Between 2013 and 2019, I have been a part of the highly renowned Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras (MCYO), and was Principal Clarinetist of their Young Artists Orchestra from 2014-15, Symphony Orchestra from 2016-17, and their Philharmonic Orchestra from 2018-19. I have also actively played in my county honor bands for three years and state honor bands for five years. In 2016, I was Principal Clarinetist of the Montgomery County Junior Honors Band. In 2015, I won the MTNA Junior Woodwind State Competition in Virginia. Following my state win, I then earned second place at the MTNA Southern Division Junior Woodwind Competition in Tampa, Florida. I also won the Asian American Music Society’s International Competition in 2016, and was invited to play as a soloist at the Bulgarian Embassy in Washington DC. In 2017, I won the NVMTA Woodwind Concerto Competition and the Young Musicians Inspiring Change International Competition. In 2019, I received the Semper Fidelis award from the Marine Corps in recognition of my diligence, dedication and musical excellence as a performing high school bandsman and soloist. I continued my clarinet studies at the University of Pittsburgh, where I recently graduated with a major in Music Performance alongside my additional major in Computational Biology. I have served as principal clarinetist of the University of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra since my freshman year of college, and have played in several chamber groups. I was recently awarded the Mildred Miller Posvar Award by the University of Pittsburgh Music Department for my outstanding performance in music.
My teaching experience dates back to 2019, when I would teach elementary and middle school students in my home in Maryland. I emphasize regular practice on a consistent schedule and to have a positive attitude when learning to play the clarinet. My students are encouraged to enter competitions, recitals, and auditions. I have produced students that have won auditions for Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras, been first chair of the Maryland State Honors Band, and have placed in state and region-wide music competitions! I am so proud of all of the accomplishments my students have achieved, and that motivates me to keep teaching to this day!
For beginner students, I start with teaching them the foundational clarinet skills including: embouchure, breathing, tonguing, and music theory. I then proceed to teach them the chromatic and major scales as well as arpeggios. I typically have students start off with working through the Essential Elements for Band and Rubank books. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire appropriate for their first recital performance or audition piece. I also love to have my students play duets to learn how to play with other musicians, and to practice some sight-reading as well. For adults, I try to find out what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and fun, no matter their ability level.
What makes a good clarinetist is not just someone with excellent technique and breath control. I strive to teach my clients to attain not just those skills, but most importantly to use their playing to connect with the audience, tell a story, and change lives. My lesson plan ensures that my clients build a strong foundation in their clarinet embouchure, tone, technical skills, and musicality. I love to encourage my students and to push them to become successful musicians. I look forward to working with clients of all ages and experience levels. Let’s have fun making music together!
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