Courtney P  
Instruments: Saxophone, Clarinet
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Blues, R&B, Latin, Swing, Bossa Nova, Marching Band

I started teaching while I was in college. I started working with a local high school band, where I was in charge of marching as well as the woodwinds. I would run woodwind sectionals and from those students, I gain private students. I have given lessons on flute, saxophone, and clarinet. I like to reinforce what is happening in classroom as well as enrich their music experience with supplemental materials. A student needs to be motivated to practice and I have found that adding a little popular music to the lessons help.

For beginning students, I usually start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. Once the student has a solid foundation on fundamentals, I begin to increase the rigor of the work. Each student is different, so I try to personalize their lessons. I like for every student to have at least one solo piece to be working on. I always encourage the student to work towards a recital or even a simple solo performance in their own home. The more you perform in front of other people, the better you get. I also like to play duets with the students because I find that it helps with counting as well as increases confidence.