As a teacher, I believe in helping students find a healthy and fulfilling way to keep music in their lives.
I have taught beginning bassoonists, undergraduate and graduate students across degree programs, and adult amateur musicians looking to return to the instrument. Some of my students have gone on to fully-funded graduate music programs at Yale, the University of Michigan, and West Virginia University; others have pursued studies in French, computer science, and forensic science; one even went to work for a U.S. Congressperson!
In bassoon lessons, my priorities are:
Set musical goals with the student, then build a framework of technique and practice habits to achieve these goals.
Make sure students understand the how and why of any exercise (Just like in the gym, form is everything!).
Incorporate music theory and musicianship fundamentals to support intonation and fluency in performance.
Create space for chamber music in lessons. Many of my fondest memories from school were the times I got to perform or sightread with my teacher.
I am happy to offer in-person (Pittsburgh, PA and Charleston, WV regions) or online lessons for bassoon and/or music theory. I bring to lessons my experience studying with (IMO) some of the country’s greatest pedagogues at top music schools, plus four years of full-time teaching as a tenure-track professor in the bassoon studio and music theory classroom.
My rates are as follows:
30-minute lesson (better for music theory lessons): $35
60-minute lesson (better for bassoon lessons): $65
If you would like to study with me or have any questions, please email me at sledgebassoon@gmail.com.