Welcome to Grace Notes Music Studio

Clarinet and Saxophone Lessons for all ages

Resilience & Community, a recital

June 1 is the date for the Spring 2025 recital. Our theme is Resilience & Community in which we celebrate the power of music to soothe, inspire, relieve stress, and build community. Songs being prepared for performances include: St James Infirmary on clarinet, Allegretto Grazioso by Brahms, With A Little Help From My Friends by :Lennon and McCartney, and Minuet from Boccherini’s String Quintet in E Major, among others.

Recent Recitals

On May 19, I held the Spring Recital 2024 with a theme of “Commonalities.” Each performer finds a piece of music or a composer with whom they share something in common, with a goal towards being more connected to the music and bringing more of themselves into their performances.

Our Spring 2023 recital entitled 2 by 3 or 4 was held on May 21. All the students joined with other students to perform duets in selections by Mozart, Dr. “Bugs” Bower, Pleyel, and others. “By 3 or 4” refers to the music being in three beats per bar or four.

An Die Musik was the theme for our Winter 2023 recital on January 8. We performed a variety of music, from Disco and R&B to Romantic and Baroque. Franz Schubert’s lied, A Die Musik, was our inspiration.

On May 22, 2022 a limited number of people attended an in-person performance of 12 clarinet and saxophone students. Visit my recital page for photos and videos.

Over 5 Sundays in November and December 2021, small groups of students live-streamed their performances from my studio for the Fall Recital called Live Times Five.

In-Person Learning

Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, I began teaching remotely using Zoom video conference software in March 2020. A little more than a year later, we were able to have lessons in-person at my studio.

Now if a student is sick or feeling any COVID symptoms, your lesson will be on Zoom instead. Inclement weather and difficulty with transportation are other reasons to go remote.

Each student has their own personalized link for online lessons with Mary Ellen. See my instructions for scheduling your lessons.

May 2024 Recital Commonalities

Video and photos from the show can be viewed on the Spring Recital 2024 page.

Back row, L-R: Nathan, Zach, Remi, Mae, Mary Ellen; Front row, L-R: Katie, Cora, Sofia, Will

May 2023 Recital 2 by 3 or 4

Please visit my recital page to watch and listen to all the performances.

Group expressing joy! May 2023 — May 2023 Recital performers

Clarinet and Saxophone Lessons

Clarinet and saxophone lessons include recital performance opportunities, personalized instruction plans and more.

Private saxophone and clarinet lessons are a student’s first experience at Grace Notes Music Studio. I also produce at least one recital each school year. Read all about what lessons include.

Most Recent Posts

Thank You For The Music
Thank you for the music, the songs I’m singingThanks for all the joy they’re bringingWho can live without it? I ask in all honestyWhat would life be?Without a song or a dance, what are we?So I say thank you for the musicFor giving it to me Benny Goran Bror Andersson / Bjoern K. Ulvaeus Thank… Read more: Thank You For The Music
An Die Musik (To Music)
Winter recital: An Die Musik (To Music) This German song by Franz Schubert is the inspiration for the student performance to be held in Jan 2023.
Returning to Music in Adulthood
Adults make up about 25% of my students at any given time. For the most part, adult music students are in one of two situations. They played sax or clarinet in middle school and/or high school and are ready to play again. Or they are brand new to playing a musical instrument and now have… Read more: Returning to Music in Adulthood
The Next Step in Gear for your horn
Last week I discussed the basic equipment you need to take care of your saxophone and clarinet. This week, I give you some equipment and tools that will support your playing and take your musical skills to the next level.