Kevin C
Instruments: Saxophone, Clarinet
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Blues, Musical Theater, Opera, Latin, Latin Jazz, Swing, Marching Band, Mariachi
Kevin C
Instruments: Saxophone, Clarinet
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Blues, Musical Theater, Opera, Latin, Latin Jazz, Swing, Marching Band, Mariachi
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 6-80
Bachelor in Music Education, University of Oklahoma
Bachelor of Arts in Clarinet Performance, University of Oklahoma
Teaching Certificate, Early Childhood - 12th grade
2013 - Alton Cole Education Award
2014 - 2nd Place in Oklahoma MTNA Regional Competition
2014 - Principal Clarinetist of the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Honor Band
2015 - Honorable Mention in the OU Concerto Competition
2015, 2016 - Principal Clarinetist of the OU Wind Symphony
2016, 2017 - Principal Clarinetist of the OU Symphony Orchestra
2016, 2017 - Principal Clarinetist of the Cimarron Opera
2021-Present - Principal Clarinetist of the 395th Army Band
2025 - Clarinet Quintet is performing at ClarinetFest this summer
Hello! My name is Kevin Cantu. I am very passionate about teaching clarinet and saxophone. I love working with all students of all ages and experience levels. A member of the All-State Band my senior year of high school, I am very familiar with the audition process. A graduate from the University of Oklahoma, I have degrees in Music Education and Clarinet Performance. While in college, I earned principal clarinetist in several honor groups and taught several private lessons. After graduation, I was a successful band director in the DFW area for four years before returning to the private lessons world. I love teaching private lessons to students and watching them grow as musicians and people. In addition, I also serve the United States Army Reserve as a clarinetist in the 395th Army Band. I primarily serve as principal clarinetist for the Concert Band and play first part for the Clarinet Quintet. Our group was selected and will perform at the ClarinetFest 2025 this summer in Fort Worth.
I love teaching woodwind lessons. My goal is to improve my students technical skills, improve their musicianship skills, and make them better humans. I have taught woodwind lessons to middle schoolers and high schoolers. Several of my students have made honor bands, placed first chair, and advanced to All-State. I have been principal chair of the OU Wind Symphony, OU Symphony Orchestra, OkMEA Intercollegiate Honor Band, and the Cimarron Opera Company. I have earned Honorable Mention in the OU Concerto Competition, and I received the Most Outstanding Clarinet Studio Member as a sophomore. I was also the clarinetist in the Undergraduate Woodwind Quintet. As a member, we placed 2nd in the OkMEA Regional Chamber Competition. I was a successful band director for four years, but I am returning to the private lessons world. I serve as principal clarinetist of the 395th Army Band. I have a thorough history of teaching and performance excellence, and I would love to work with anyone interested in taking private lessons!
For beginners, I focus on teaching proper fundamentals for embouchure, air, hand position, and articulation. I use various teaching tools such as Essential Elements or whatever book your child's school district requires. I believe teaching music literacy is very important. The goal the first year is to be able to read a majority of the notes and rhythms on their instrument while being able to play at least 7 major scales and a two octave chromatic scale. Students will always be encouraged to learn more scales, more octaves, and the full range chromatic scale. All students are encouraged to learn a solo appropriate to their playing level. Older students interested in auditioning for All-Region bands, will work on etudes to prepare for those honor band auditions. We will also prepare excerpts for various auditions like the Lone Star Youth Orchestra, etc, if students are interested in that. Students looking to continue music in college, we will prepare for those college auditions. Students interested in learning for fun, we can also find plenty of other method books, duets, solos, or etudes to work on with me. Ultimately, my lessons are tailored to each individual student and their needs.
Nothing is more rewarding than seeing one of my students develop a passion for music! I try to meet my students at the crossover of challenging while keep them engaged and having fun. Therefore, it's important that each student progresses at his or her own pace. I encourage this by setting realistic goals for my students at each lesson. Acknowledging accomplishments helps fuel a students desire to progress, and makes students eager to learn more. By trying to find out what inspires the student, I can successfully tailor my instruction to their wants and needs.
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