Flute, Clarinet & Sax Lessons
in Monroe, CT
Our Approach to Woodwind Lessons at The Creative Music Center
The approach we take to providing a balanced music education includes three key elements: fun, fundamentals, and personalized instruction. We perfectly align these three priorities to offer students exactly what they are looking for when they come to our school for lessons.
Woodwind instruments are such beautiful instruments, each with its own unique sound. At The Creative Music Center we offer lessons for saxophone, flute, clarinet, and piccolo. Our instructors work closely with students of all ages and skill levels, helping you achieve your musical goals. Whether you’re looking to explore a new hobby or competing for a prestigious scholarship that would afford you professional or performance opportunities, our instructors have the resources to help you get there.
Our Approach to Woodwind Lessons
GET STARTED01 Woodwind Lessons Should Be Fun!
Woodwind instruments produce rich, expressive, and emotionally impactful music in both solo and group settings. At The Creative Music Center, we teach a variety of woodwind instruments – including flute, clarinet, and saxophone – each of which plays a critical role in bringing to life the music we know and love.
Regardless of your specific instrument, one thing is consistent across all of our woodwind offerings: fun! Simply put, we want all of our students to LOVE their music lessons. The Creative Music Center’s experienced staff blends a high standard of music education with a creative, student-focused approach that gives students space to discover and nurture their passion for music – while having fun along the way.
02 We Emphasize Healthy Technique
We believe strong fundamentals are key to providing a strong foundation for a musician’s growth. At The Creative Music Center, you’ll learn the key elements of strong woodwind technique including breath support, voicing, embouchure, articulation, finger technique, and posture.
Understanding these necessities will help you maintain control of the tone and quality of your music. Our lessons offer an enriching, well-rounded music education that pairs fundamentals with a strong foundation in music literacy. From sight reading and ear training to music theory and history, our instructors bring a wealth of knowledge and extensive teaching résumés to foster an optimal student experience at The Creative Music Center.
03 We Care About Your Musical Interests & Goals
Every student is unique and their instruction should be, too. The talented team at The Creative Music Center is committed to helping each student pursue their musical interest at a pace that works for them. We’re passionate about all things music and all things success!
Do you dream of becoming the next great jazz soloist? Earning a spot in your high school band? Turning a simple intrigue into a hobby? As our teachers get to know your goals, we tailor our lessons accordingly. Both beginner and advanced students will be challenged and inspired on their musical journey at The Creative Music Center.
Our Woodwind teachers
Ryan Papagelis
Piano & Woodwinds
Ryan Papagelis is a multi-instrumentalist and composer currently residing in Bethel, CT. Primarily a saxophonist, Ryan discovered his love for music as a teenager after being exposed to the rich tradition of the Hartford jazz scene.
Maureen Zahara
Piano, voice, flute, clarinet, saxophone, & guitar
Maureen Zahara has been a public school music educator for over 20 years, and a private lesson music instructor for even longer. She received her Bachelors from WCSU and Masters in Music Education from UCONN and graduated Magna Cum Laude.
Nyomi Pfeffer
Piano & Clarinet
Ms. Pfeffer teaches traditional piano and clarinet, as well as Suzuki. She studied performance at the Yale School of Music with former dean Keith Wilson and later with Stanley Drucker of the New York Philharmonic.
Anthony Pellegrini
Clarinet, Flute & Saxophone
A resident of Port Chester, New York, Anthony Pellegrini has been involved in musical activities since the age of eight when he started playing the clarinet in elementary school. After taking up the saxophone in high school, Pellegrini quickly fell in love with jazz
Mary Larson
Flute
Mary Larson has been teaching flute at Creative Music for over 10 years. She is dedicated to working with students of all levels to reach their musical goals on the flute through an informed, patient, fun, and encouraging method of teaching. Her students have placed in the Greater Bridgeport Youth Orchestra, Western Regional Band
How it works
Together we explore student musical goals.
We match students with one of our expert instructors.
Start attending lessons! Parents can receive progress reports each week.
We Offer Simple Pricing to Fit
Your Schedule & Budget
Weekly
30 min
$45
Registration Fee – $30 ($20 for second student, $0 for third student).
GET STARTEDFrequently
Asked
Questions
GET STARTED
What Is the Minimum Age to Start Woodwind Lessons at The Creative Music Center?
An instrument like a flute, clarinet, or saxophone requires a certain level of physical development, and dexterity. Proper lung capacity is needed to produce the right sound and tone. We recommend starting woodwind lessons no earlier than age 7. At this point, students tend to have the necessary physical attributes that allow them to be successful when learning to play the clarinet or saxophone. If you’re not sure whether or not private woodwind lessons are right for you, our highly capable instructors can answer your questions and help you find the perfect fit.
Do I Need Any Prior Experience?
At The Creative Music Center, we support students from a variety of musical backgrounds. From your first time through the door to your very last music lesson, you’ll find a community that is dedicated to meeting you where you are and helping you achieve your goals.
What Styles of Music Can I Learn?
We are proud of the unique and diverse musical backgrounds that our instructors bring to our school. From classical music to trendy jazz, there are no restrictions on the styles of music available for exploration. If you have an idea of what style you’re interested in, we can find you the perfect match. If you’re more interested in the freedom to explore, we have something for you, too!
What Materials Will I Need?
Completely personalized lesson plans come with equally as customized resource recommendations. Once our woodwind instructors have gotten to know student goals, they’ll provide you with a list of books, materials, and online resources.
Why Come to The Creative Music Center for Woodwind Lessons?
Combining talented and dedicated instructors with a well-rounded approach to music education, The Creative Music Center is the perfect place for any student looking to learn a new instrument. We believe that our learning environment is simply unmatched. Creative expression and exploration is at the heart of what we do. You’ll find that your instructors encourage you to explore and push your own boundaries so that you can take advantage of everything music has to offer. Additionally, we’ll follow your lead, supporting your music education with many years of expertise. Our student-driven approach puts you in control of your journey with a woodwind instrument.