Liz Ramirez

Student favorite
Background checked
Clarinet, Audition Prep
5.0
(76 reviews)
2200+ lessons booked on Lessonface

Lesson Fees
from $42.00 / 30 Minutes

Promotions Available

Free 15 minute trial lessons

About

*2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019 Clarinet Teacher of the Year* *2023, 2022 Audition Prep Teacher of the Year* Welcome! I enjoy working with beginners of all ages and bring over twenty years performing experience and over fifteen years of teaching experience (ages 6-65) to your individually tailored lessons. Clarinet audition prep info towards bottom of profile.

I am a New York City native clarinetist/musician and passionate educator with over twenty years performing experience and over fifteen years of teaching experience. I am passionate about teaching and learning, and believe in the power of music to enrich our lives. I've been a teaching artist with many El Sistema inspired music programs that use music as a vehicle for social change. One of my greatest joys in teaching is being able to be a part of a student's personal growth. My students have been accepted to various music programs including the All American D-Day Band 2023, Juilliard Music Advancement Program, LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts and Milwaukee High School of the Arts. They also consistently receive top placement in Solo and Ensemble and All State auditions. I'm currently a teaching artist with the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival. I’ve taught a diverse group of students ranging in ages 6-65.

As a professional orchestral and chamber music player I have performed with many ensembles including the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Beethoven, Brahms and Mahler have my heart and I will never turn down rocking out to a Shostakovich symphony. I enjoy playing different musical genres and have performed with  gypsy jazz and banda groups (Banda Nueva York). Music has brought so many wonderful experiences and I’ve performed in many top concert halls including New York’s Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Symphony Space, Stage 48 and halls abroad in Scotland, England, Spain, and China. My playing can be heard on Spotify, Naxos, YouTube, and several award-winning films. I received my bachelors degree from the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University and my masters at the Peck School of the Arts at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. My teachers include Todd Levy, Edward Palanker, David Sapadin and Larry Guy. Music festivals I've attended include Kinhaven Music School and Eastern Music Festival. Outside of all things music I love spending time with my pup and kitten, volunteering at my local animal rescue and gardening.

My approach to lessons is very personal.  I like to get to know you so that I can better understand what will work best for you. Lessons are tailored to each and every student. Come as you are. 

One of the most rewarding experiences for me as a teacher is to witness how music allows students to blossom in their willingness to take on challenges, which builds their self confidence.


Reviews from Group Classes

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Intro To Clarinet
Khalid B.
on July 28, 2021

Very informative! A solid intro with loads of useful information packed into half an hour. Liz was very friendly and engaging. I thoroughly enjoyed the class.

•Executive Graduate Certificate- The Global Leaders Program of the Youth Orchestra of the Americas

•Master of Music- University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, Peck School of the Arts

•Bachelor of Music- The Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University

•High School Diploma- Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts

Clarinet articles written by yours truly:

Meet the Clarinet: A Brief Introduction to the Clarinet for Parents

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Back-to-School for the Young Clarinetist

CLARINET

Levels taught- beginner through advanced

Building a strong foundation with fundamentals- tone development, air, proper posture and hand position, scales, etudes, duets etc. 

Any material the student wants to learn/work on-  learn how to play your favorite pop tune, prepare some tunes for the Holidays, learn a piece from the standard repertoire, master those band/orchestra parts etc.

Some of the books I like to use to teach-Rubank, Standard of Excellence, C. Baermann Complete Method for Clarinet Op. 63 Third Edition, Opperman Velocity Studies, C. Rose 32 Etudes for Clarinet, Melodious & Progressive Studies for Clarinet 

CLARINET AUDITION PREP

*I highly recommend you book these lessons at least 2-3 months before your audition in order to get the most out of your preparation with me! Message me and I can put together a lesson schedule that would be best suited for you and your audition.

I have taken many auditions over the years including auditions for major symphony orchestras, specialized arts high schools, concerto competitions, chamber music competitions, Summer music festivals, and preparatory music programs. I would love to share my knowledge and experiences with auditions to help you achieve your goals.

CLARINET SMALL GROUP

Take lessons with a friend! Taking lessons with a friend might be what works best for you. Perhaps it's what will motivate you. Perhaps sharing this learning experience with someone else is what you've been looking to do.

✨Note: Both the Native American Flute and the Recorder are great instruments to get started with playing a woodwind instrument. They are a good entryway especially if your hands are too small for the clarinet. They help build a strong playing foundation.

NATIVE AMERICAN FLUTE (NAF)

Levels taught- beginner

Building a strong foundation with fundamentals- how to properly hold the flute (hand shape and sealing tone holes), embouchure, air use, articulations and techniques. We will also cover fingerings, scales, rhythms, reading Nakai tablature and improvisation. 

Some of the books I like to use to teach- "Native American Flute Song Book for Beginners" and "Earth Songs" by Carol LaForet

RECORDER *Used alongside learning the clarinet for young students.

Levels taught- beginner

Building a strong foundation with fundamentals- how to properly hold the recorder (hand shape and sealing tone holes), embouchure, air use, articulations and techniques. We will also cover fingerings, scales and music reading.

Reviews of lessons with Liz Ramirez

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