Hi, I’m Liz!
And I’m your teacher here at the Simple Clarinet! I started the Simple Clarinet after reflecting on my main goals with students as a clarinet instructor for over 20 years. I found that all my goals stem from making learning how to play the clarinet as simple as possible. This website and my YouTube channel are both places where I share resources with clarinet students who are on their learning journey and looking for simple and effective steps to achieving their goals.
I specialize in making the clarinet simple and accessible, teaching online clarinet lessons for late elementary school through high school students (complete beginner to advanced level) as well as adults who are complete beginners or are returning to the clarinet after decades of time away from it! My students consistently receive top placement in Solo and Ensemble and All State auditions and have been accepted to various music programs including the All American D-Day Band 2023, Juilliard Music Advancement Program, LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts and Milwaukee High School of the Arts. I’ve been commended many times for my high student retention rate. 🎶Lessonface 2019-2025 Clarinet Teacher of the Year & 2022-2024 Audition Prep Teacher of the Year🎶 Interested in lessons? Sign up for personalized one-on-one lessons here!
I’m a New York City native clarinetist/musician and passionate educator with over twenty-five years performing experience and over nineteen years of teaching experience. I’m passionate about teaching and learning, and believe in the power of music to enrich our lives. I’ve been a teaching artist with many El Sistema inspired music programs that use music as a vehicle for social change, most recently as a teaching artist with the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival. One of my greatest joys in teaching is being able to be a part of a student’s personal growth. I’ve taught a diverse group of students ranging in ages 6-75.
As a professional orchestral and chamber music player I have performed with many ensembles including the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Beethoven, Brahms and Mahler have my heart and I will never turn down rocking out to a Shostakovich symphony. I enjoy playing different musical genres and have performed with gypsy jazz and banda groups (Banda Nueva York). Music has brought so many wonderful experiences and I’ve performed in many top concert halls including New York’s Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Symphony Space, Stage 48 and halls abroad in Scotland, England, Spain, and China. My playing can be heard on Spotify, Naxos, YouTube, and several award-winning films. I received my bachelors Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University and my masters at the Peck School of the Arts at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. My teachers include Todd Levy, Edward Palanker, David Sapadin and Larry Guy. Music festivals I’ve attended include Kinhaven Music School and Eastern Music Festival. Outside of all things music I love studying languages, the outdoors and baking. There’s nothing like homemade bread and cookies!
Some of my credentials at a glance:
•Executive Graduate Certificate- The Global Leaders Program of the Youth Orchestra of the Americas
•Master of Music- University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, Peck School of the Arts
•Bachelor of Music- The Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University
•High School Diploma- Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts
•Mannes School of Music Prep Pre-College Program
•Juilliard Music Advancement Program
•Eastern Music Festival
•Kinhaven Music School