Why Study Clarinet With a Professional Performer, Researcher, and Teacher

Dr. Kristine Dizon with members of the High School Clarinet Choir at ICA 2024 in Dublin, Ireland.

When students look for a clarinet teacher, they often focus on one thing: whether the teacher can play well. While performance experience is extremely important, I also think there is value in studying with someone who actively engages in research, pedagogy, and continued artistic development.

For me, performing, teaching, researching, and learning are all connected. The more I perform, the more questions I ask about music, sound, interpretation, listening, and communication. The more I research and study, the more intentionally I teach and perform.

​I think students benefit when their teacher remains actively engaged in both artistic and intellectual work.

Why performance experience matters

One of the advantages of studying with a professional performer is that students learn from someone who regularly applies these skills in real performance situations.
Performance experience helps teachers guide students through:

• Performance anxiety
• Auditions
• Preparation strategies
• Rehearsal techniques
• Ensemble playing
• Stage presence
• Professional expectations

Many aspects of music cannot be fully understood through theory or exercises alone. Students also need guidance from someone who has experienced the realities of performance firsthand.

In my career, performing internationally has shaped how I approach preparation, flexibility, communication, and resilience as a musician.
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Why research matters in music education

Research may seem disconnected from clarinet lessons at first, but I actually think it can significantly deepen the learning process.

Research encourages musicians to ask questions such as:

• Why do we interpret music a certain way?
• How has clarinet pedagogy evolved?
• How does listening shape musical understanding?
• How do culture, history, and context influence performance?
• How can musicians communicate more effectively?

As both a performer and researcher, I try to encourage students not only to play notes correctly, but also to think critically, listen carefully, and develop curiosity about music.

I also think research helps teachers adapt more effectively to different students. Every student learns differently, and strong teaching requires flexibility, observation, and continued learning.

The connection between teaching and continued learning

One of the most important things I have learned as a teacher is that teaching itself requires constant growth. Music pedagogy evolves, performance practices evolve, and students themselves all have different needs, personalities, and goals.

Because of this, I think students benefit from studying with teachers who continue developing professionally rather than relying only on older methods or routines.

In my teaching, I try to combine:

• Technical fundamentals
• Musical interpretation
• Listening skills
• Creativity
• Career guidance
• Confidence-building
• Curiosity and experimentation

​I want students to feel that music is something alive and evolving rather than simply a list of exercises or rules.

Music education beyond the instrument

Clarinet lessons are not only about fingerings, scales, and repertoire. Students also develop:

• Discipline
• Focus
• Confidence
• Communication skills
• Emotional awareness
• Problem-solving abilities
• Patience and resilience

I think studying with a teacher who actively performs and researches can help students see music as part of a larger artistic and intellectual world rather than something isolated to weekly lessons.

Conclusion

Studying with a professional performer and researcher allows students to learn not only technical skills, but also broader ways of thinking about music, creativity, listening, and artistic growth.

For me, teaching clarinet is not simply about helping students play the instrument correctly. It is about helping students become thoughtful, curious, confident musicians who continue learning long after the lesson ends.

Ready to begin clarinet lessons?

I offer personalized clarinet instruction through the Music & Language Learning Center, combining professional performance experience, research, pedagogy, and individualized teaching to support students at different stages of musical development. Contact us to book a lesson or consultation.