HEY THERE, EAST VALLEY OBOISTS!
Oboe lessons for students from
Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Queen Creek AZ
(and beyond!)
Have you ever picked up your oboe to start playing and thought,
“I wish my practicing wasn’t so aimless. I want to actually accomplish a goal!”
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“I don’t know how to use this instrument...it would be better if somebody who knows how to play taught me how to play it, too!”
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“I wish my teacher could explain this concept to me in a way that my brain can understand.”
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“I have so much to do today! I don’t have time for this!”
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“New reeds are so annoying…”
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“I’m so stressed about this upcoming performance. How will I ever be ready??”
If so, you've come to the right place!
Whether you’re a beginner oboist trying to practice your way into a beautiful sound, or a more experienced player working your way toward some exciting goals, I’m here to help you! With years of experience in the joys (and the air-quote "joys") of oboe playing, I also have years of experience teaching oboe students with a variety of skill sets, goals, and learning styles. Together we explore the most effective and rewarding ways to learn in the world of oboe, always aiming to expand each student’s view of what they are capable of doing.
Because EVERYONE is capable of growing beyond what they've ever imagined!
As a member of the Ethington Oboe Studio, you will:
Fill your “musical toolbox” with the skills you need to succeed as a musician (the more tools, the better!)
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Have access to weekly help adjusting your reeds and instrument (that’s part of being an oboist!)--and learn how to make reeds, when you’re ready
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Learn effective practice strategies to keep you motivated (It doesn’t have to be boring, and I’ll show you how!)
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Have multiple performance opportunities each year (Music is meant to be shared, right?)
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Become part of a community of oboists who cheer each other on and create musical experiences together (Playing oboe can be a challenge, so we can all help each other learn.)
Why should I take lessons with Charlotte?
I care about YOU as a person. I know what it’s like to be so anxious about going to band camp that I pretend to be sick so I can stay home. I know what it’s like to be so worried about an upcoming performance that it interferes with the quality of my preparation. I know what it’s like to struggle with the big life decisions that come along with the transition to adulthood. Your path might be different from mine, but I am still 100% invested in helping you grow not only as an oboist and musician, but also as a person.
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I’m not the only teacher in our studio. I want you to both help and learn from every single studio member--including yourself. This is why I make it a priority to pair students together for duets and trios; to plan studio challenges and events; and to foster opportunities for you to interact with your studio mates. I also aim to help YOU become your own best teacher.
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There are a lot of things that can go wrong when it comes to oboe playing--including both instrument and reed malfunctions--and these kinds of roadblocks can be incredibly frustrating when you are still gaining the experience to know how to fix these problems. Trust me, I’ve been there! But I have the skills and resources necessary to help you navigate all of these "joys" of oboe playing!
PARENTS: I know just how frustrating it can be to fund the needs of an oboist! (Believe me, almost 20 years of oboe playing has opened my eyes to just how financially demanding this instrument can be!) With these years of experience, I can help you make informed decisions when it comes to things like instrument rentals, purchases, and repairs as well as buying reeds (and reed making materials, when your child is ready for that step). This way, all of the money you spend will be put to good use!
But don't just take MY word for it!
“My son is part of his school band and wanted to switch from clarinet to cboe after a year of being in band. What started as a quick catch up summer session, is continuing even after two years. His learning from you has enhanced his passion for music. While he has a long way to go, your teaching has made him reach some notable heights in oboe. He has become more confident in his capabilities and the creative challenges you came up with made him put in the needed work to get better at his instrument. As a parent I can confidently say that you are one of the best things that happened to my son. Stay blessed! ”
-Hemamalini V, parent
My Teaching Philosophy
I believe in the importance of a growth mindset.
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I believe that collaboration inspires creativity, and creativity brings joy.
In high school, even though I basically considered myself to be a good player, I remember thinking things like, “I’ll never be as good as so-and-so.” Exhibit A: When I made it into All-State band my freshman year, I was of course very excited but also felt a lingering fear and nervousness in spite of all of the encouragement I received from family, teachers, and friends. This nervousness translated into hours and hours of unhealthy practice. I tended to visualize my worst-case scenario, with all of the other students being way more prepared than me, and with me humiliating myself with my inability to play certain passages.
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Fast-forward to now--more than a lifetime away from my 14-year-old self!--and now I know what my 14-year-old self needed: a growth mindset, and an empowering point-of-view shift from seeing my peers as competition to seeing them as collaborators. How do I know this? Because every good thing that I’ve achieved both personally and professionally has been the result of the growth mindset I have worked to develop, and the result of collaborations with my peers (musicians and non-musicians alike)!
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My students know that they are not just learning how to play the oboe. They are learning how to learn to play the oboe. No musician is ever done learning to play their instrument! This means that there is always room for improvement, and always more to explore.
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I encourage my students to approach their studies in this way by helping them to identify what they want to convey in the music, and then craft effective practice strategies to make sure their musical ideas shine through in their playing. Practice journals are an important part of this process, helping students to identify both their struggles and their successes in their daily practice, and to recognize specific improvements over time. The more they approach their practice with the attitude of trying to learn than of demanding instant perfection of themselves, the more likely it is they will become lifelong learners and enjoy the process.
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I hope that each of my students will become their own best teachers!