*If you play bassoon:  Sorry, I am no longer taking new bassoon students.  But, if you fill out the form below I will share contact info of some other local teachers.

*Note to Parents: Please read the information on this site BEFORE renting/buying an oboe or reeds.  For beginner oboe accessories needed, click here. 

Oboe lessons are $25 per 30-minute lesson (taught from my home music studio), and students attend on a weekly basis.  Aside from teaching music theory and improving overall tone, my curriculum is as follows:

Grade Objectives 

• 5th/6th - use of correct embouchure, intonation basics, fingerings for District requirements, one-octave major scales, concert music and graded band assignments       
• 7th/8th - fingerings (B-flat to high F), two-octave major scales, Rubank method book, beginning reed scraping, audition preparation
• 9th/10th - fingerings (up to high F), Gekeler II oboe method book, mastering vibrato, reed-making, audition preparation, intro to English Horn for oboists
• 11th/12th - tying reed blanks and reed adjusting, college and other audition repertoire

Reeds:  Please have 3 working reeds at all times.  Parents, beginners will break reeds often so it is best to order extra.  Reeds need to be handmade and ordered from one of the sites listed here.   The reed is responsible for 90% of our tone, so if you want to sound great, get a great reed!  It really is that simple.

Studio Policies:

• Payment (cash, check, Zelle, Paypal, etc.) is due before each lesson.  You may pay for 1 or several lessons at a time.
• If you arrive late to a lesson, it is still over at its scheduled time.  
• Students should be practicing lesson assignments (not only band class music) most days of the week in order to show improvement.  Lessons are not the time to practice - it's the time to show me what you have already practiced.  Thirty minutes of practice per day, 5+ days per week is appropriate.  Helpful Tips:
  • ​Setup a practice schedule - do whatever works for your family.  If your child feels that music is a priority in your home, he/she will be more likely to succeed!
  • Students show play SLOWLY and CORRECTLY, not fast and messily.  Their fingers will remember everything they do, whether it's right or not.  It takes many correct repetitions to undo a bad habit.
  • If a student repeatedly comes to lessons unprepared, his/her time will be offered to another student on my waiting list.  I will contact you if this becomes an issue.
• Students should bring all lesson materials each week (reeds, my assignment sheet,  method book, etc.).  If your instrument is being fixed, you may bring a reed to your lesson and play my instrument.  If your child has no materials we will practice rhythms, learn music theory, and eat broccoli.
• Attendance and Cancellations:
  • Lessons are year-round except for the holidays listed on my scheduling page.  Each student will be allowed 2 free absences per fall and spring semester, and summer is more flexible.  After a 3rd absence, payment for the missed lesson will be due at the student's next lesson in order to keep your lesson time reserved.  3rd+ absences may be made up if I am notified of the absences in advance.  Your lesson might occasionally happen on "teacher work days," but I do not require lessons on national holidays.  It is a good idea to look ahead in your calendar and make-up as you go.  If regular attendance is an issue, then your time will be offered to a student on my waiting list. 
  • If advance notice is given for a 3rd (or additional) absence, that lesson may be made up before the end of the semester during my availability.
  • Last-minute cancellations are discouraged, and no-shows are not made up. 
  • Yes, there are lessons in the summer - I am rarely asked this, but yes, I only teach serious music students who wish to improve.  Students are not required not come every week, but I expect some sort of effort, and everyone has at least a few summer hours available for music.
  • Exceptions to the absence rule:
    • If I cancel your lesson, it will not count as an absence.
    • If you miss a lesson for an "honors" music activity beyond school band, it will not count as an absence.  Examples are: District Honor Band, All-State Band, UGA MidFest, JanFest, 6th Grade Honor Band, GMEA invitations, or any summer band or oboe camp.
• Reserving school-year lesson times:  Priority is given to my most serious students (taking lessons long-term, always coming prepared to lessons, pursuing honors music activities like district/all state, youth orchestras, etc.) and those needing certain days due to marching band practice.  Students will only be allowed to reserve a fall time once their summer lessons are scheduled.

Note: I am located in the northern part of Forsyth County, GA.  If this is too far of a drive, there is another excellent oboe teacher and my co-CROW camp director, Brittany Grant, who is located in Suwanee.  Her website is here: ​suwaneeoboelessons.weebly.com.  

My home studio

Piano Lessons

Looking for piano lessons?  I highly recommend Hawk Music Academy with Dr. Dawn Hawk and Dr. Eric Hawk in Cumming, GA.  My son takes both piano and violin lessons from them and they do a phenomenal job.