Oboe, English horn & Reed-making Lessons

Teaching Philosophy & Studio Environment

  • as the teacher, I will provide:

    • the skills and knowledge required to be adaptable towards the varying needs of my students

    • the tools necessary to become self-sufficient players and reed makers

    • a healthy learning environment for each student and the studio as a whole

  • students should:

    • have their own set of goals for themselves

    • be willing to put in work commensurate with their goals

    • become their own best teacher through continuous and dedicated study

Goals for Musical​ity & Technique

  • sound must be beautiful and easy

  • find the beauty in every piece of music

  • have a musical voice that shines through to every listener

  • be the expert of whatever piece one is playing

  • must play with authority above all else

  • facility and ease are paramount

  • striving for perfection enables excellence

  • physical and mental practice forms healthy habits

  • technique should be of the level where it enables further musicality

  • students should feel comfortable diagnostically checking their playing with or without a teacher present

Goals for Reed-making

  • reeds should:

    • function well without manipulation of the embouchure or air

    • allow musical ideas to shine through

    • be made quickly and with great precision

    • compromise of equal parts response and tone quality

    • be an extension of the player into the oboe


Accolades & Teaching Experience

  • Honors Band Auditions

    • Relevant experience: 1st chair Oboe NC All State 11-12 Honors Band 2013 (highest score of the day across all grade levels and instruments), 1st chair Oboe* NC Central District 11-12 Wind Ensemble 2013 (highest oboe score of the day), 1st chair Oboe* NC Central District 9-10 Wind Ensemble 2012, 2nd chair Oboe* NC Central District 9-10 Wind Ensemble 2011, 1st chair Oboe UNCG 9-10 Honors Band 2011

    • Student accolades: 1st chair Oboe NC East Central District MS Concert Band 2026, 1st alternate (3rd overall) Oboe NC East Central District 9-10 HS 2026, 1st chair Oboe NC All State MS Honors Band 2025, 1st chair Oboe* NC East Central District MS Symphonic Band 2025, 1st chair Oboe* NC East Central District MS Symphonic Band 2024, and 2nd chair Oboe NC East Central District MS Concert Band 2024

      * Indicates All State eligibility

  • Triangle Youth Music Auditions

    • Relevant experience: Principal Oboe/English horn of TYP 2011-2014, Oboe with the TYP Woodwind Quintet 2011-2014, Principal Oboe of TYO 2009-2011​

    • Student accolades: 1 student in Triangle Youth Symphony (TYS) 2025-2026, 1 student in Triangle Youth Orchestra (TYO) 2025-2026, 3 students in TYO 2024-2025, 3 students in TYO 2023-2024

  • Governor’s School of North Carolina Instrumental Music Auditions

    • Relevant experience: Principal Oboe of the NC Governor’s School West Orchestra 2012

  • Private Oboe and English horn Teacher​ Experience

    • Cary, NC (2023-present) & Morrisville, NC (2012-2014) ​

  • Masterclass/Guest Clinician Experience

    • Green Level High School (2023-2026), Green Hope High School (2023-2025), Enloe High School (2025), Fuquay-Varina High School (2023), Leesville Road High School (2023), Euclid Heights High School (2018-2019)​

  • Reed Assistant and Tutoring Experience

    • Indiana University Jacobs School of Music Oboe Studio (2020-2022)​

    • Cleveland Institute of Music Oboe Studio (2017-2020)

Contact Me
Contact Me

“Teaching is close to a sacred duty.”

— John Mack, Former Principal Oboe of the Cleveland Orchestra