Author: Christopher Bush
Date: 2014-08-27 07:45
Hello as9934,
As a native of Asheville myself, I couldn't resist commenting here. I grew up attending public school just outside of Asheville until the clarinet bug became to much to resist and I moved to Winston-Salem to study at NCSA with Bob Listokin.
Addressing your specific questions, it seems like you may have two very good clarinetists in the area, both ex-Marine Band members.
http://www.mhu.edu/music/faculty#lemmons
and the other teacher that Larry linked.
I also can suggest Karen Hill (mentioned above), but she may live a bit far to make lessons practical, even though she does play in Asheville sometimes. It's worth an email or a call to see if she's an option. I doubt she'd remember me, but I did take a few lessons with her many years ago when I lived there.
I would suggest emailing them both and telling them that you're looking for a new teacher. Ask what their trial lesson policy is and set one up. Some teachers even offer trial lessons for free. For their regular lesson fee, you'll have to decide if their fee is worth what you get from them. I know that's quite vague, but I've seen wonderful and awful teachers charging everything from $20 to $180 an hour. If you can't afford the rate quoted, it can't hurt to tell the teacher that and ask if there is flexibility.
As to what you should look for in a teacher, I think that has a bit to do with what you expect to get out of the lessons. Are you looking to get better and enjoy the clarinet as a hobby? Are you looking to take All-State or Youth Orchestra auditions? Are you just looking for help with your band music? Are you looking to be a music major in college? Are you not sure, but want to have the option of being a music major? You need to think about all of these questions and let your teacher know what you're considering. The focus of your lessons is going to be different depending on what your goals are. I would ask, after your trial lesson, what each teacher would do to help prepare you for these goals.
Remember, just like a job interview, a trial lesson is a way for each of you to interview each other and see if you are worth the time/money.
Of course, if you'd like a second opinion, I'd be happy to take listen sometime over Skype. I also visit my parents, who still live there, on occasion. I'm always happy to hear young, hungry clarinetists when I have time.
Good luck! Please let us know what you end up doing.
Christopher Bush
Prof. of Clarinet - NYU
Princ. Clarinet - Glens Falls Symphony, Metro Chamber Orchestra
Director - NYU Composers Ensemble
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