Audition Cafe

Introduction

I am available as a freelance bassoonist. I teach private lessons, coach chamber music, and perform with orchestras, chamber groups, and opera and ballet orchestras.

My teaching is influenced by what I have learned about neuroscience and learning from the Feldenkrais Method. I aim to empower students to sense and hear themselves so that they may use their own knowledge and observations to improve their playing without constant direction. I have found that by focusing on ease, asking directed questions, and providing clear, specific feedback and information, I am able to help students develop technique and musicality, as well as foster their love of music.

In May 2017 I completed a Master of Music in Bassoon Performance at Ball State University (BSU) with Dr. Keith Sweger. In addition to being a member of the the BSU Graduate Woodwind Quintet, Muncie Symphony Orchestra, Ball State Symphony Orchestra, Ball State Wind Ensemble, and East Central Indiana Chamber Orchestra, I have played in opera and ballet orchestras for The Marriage of Figaro, La Périchole, Die Fledermaus, The Nutcracker, and Falstaff. As a Graduate Assistant for the Bassoon Studio, I coached chamber groups, helped teach Bassoon Techniques class to music education majors, taught private lessons, and coordinated studio events. I also studied contrabassoon throughout graduate school and have played contrabassoon in orchestras and wind ensembles since high school.