We have an array of highly qualified lesson teachers who are happy to teach students during the school year and in the summer. The Covington private lesson program is a wonderful way for students to get one-on-one help from a specialist on their instrument. Parents may contact any of these highly recommended teachers. Lessons are scheduled for 30 minutes. The cost for each lesson ranges $25-$30. Payment for the lessons should be paid directly to the lesson teacher. We highly suggest that every student in the Covington band enroll in private lessons.
Flute
Nina Robinson
[email protected] A Massachusetts native, Nina Robinson began playing the flute in 4th grade and has been dedicated to her art ever since. She was drawn to the ethereal, airy quality of the instrument and the sparkle of the silver keys. Throughout high school, Nina was extremely active in her musical community, winning the Rochester Flute Association Young Artist Competition and performing as a soloist with the Boston Pops orchestra in Symphony Hall. Nina received her BA in flute performance from the prestigious Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. Currently, Nina resides in Austin, TX where she is studying at the University of Texas at Austin for her MA in flute performance. Since moving to TX, Nina has been a finalist in both the Myrna Brown and Byron Hester flute competitions and hopes to continue elevating her career through local gigs and teaching students while she continues working towards her ultimate goal of playing in a major symphony orchestra. |
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OboeClara Blood
[email protected] Oboist Clara Blood enjoys her life as a versatile performer and educator with over fifteen years of experience who engages audiences with performances in solo, chamber music, and orchestral settings throughout the greater Austin area. She served as an Oboist with the Navy Fleet Bands from 2017- 2022 and completed tours with Navy Band Southwest in San Diego, CA. and Navy Band Great Lakes in Great Lakes, IL. While stationed in San Diego Clara served as Adjunct Professor of Oboe at the University of San Diego and MiraCosta College. Clara completed a doctorate in Oboe Performance and Pedagogy at the University of Texas at Austin in 2016, where she served as the Oboe Studio Teaching Assistant. Clara performs as a substitute musician with the San Diego Symphony and frequently appears with the California Chamber Orchestra and Strauss Symphony of America. She has also performed with the New World Symphony, Austin Symphony, and the West Point Band. Clara earned her Bachelor of Music Performance degree at Rice University and Master of Music in Orchestral Oboe Performance at the Manhattan School of Music before beginning her Doctorate of Musical Arts at the University of Texas. Outside of music Clara enjoys CrossFit, running marathons, and cooking. |
Bassoon
Jo Hammerstein
[email protected] Jo Hammerstein is currently in her third year of undergraduate studies in Music Education at the University of Texas at Austin. She has been playing bassoon for 10 years, currently studying with Professor Kristin Wolfe Jensen and has previously studied with Ben Roidl-Ward, Rachel Roberman, and Elise Wagner. She maintains a studio of high school and middle school bassoonists, some online with Through the Staff, a nonprofit organization providing private lessons to economically disadvantaged students and some in the Austin area. After graduation, she is looking forward to teaching elementary music or middle school band. |
Clarinet
Emily Peterson
[email protected] Emily Peterson has been working as a private clarinet instructor in the Austin area since 2017 and has seen great success with her students both in and out of the classroom. The majority of her students have received superior rankings for Solo and Ensemble competitions, as well as placed in the top of District and Region auditions for the All-State Band. Most of her middle school students have placed high enough to make the region band every year, with her high school students making it to at least the Area level of auditioning for the All-State Band. Emily recently received her Masters in Music degree with a concentration in musicology from Texas State University. She is looking forward to pursuing a doctoral degree in the future. Her professional affiliations include the International Clarinet Association, Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society, Texas Music Educators Association, American Musicological Society, and College Music Society. |
SaxophoneJeremy Howell
(512) 923-6330 [email protected] Saxophonist and Composer Jeremy Howell has performed with classical, jazz, funk, and rock ensembles in eleven countries. His diverse performance background has informed his eclectic compositional style, granting performances of his music by ensembles ranging from the Eastman Saxophone Project to Big Wy’s Brass Band. Mr. Howell mentors his students from the perspective of both a saxophonist and a creative artist. Whether it’s an open-minded approach to developing technique, interpreting a piece of music, or creating something entirely new, he brings his inquisitive teaching style forth to cultivate his students’ musicianship and ingenuity. As a graduate of the University of Michigan and the Eastman School of Music, he has studied with Dr. Timothy McAllister, Evan Chambers, Kristin Kuster, and Dr. Chien-Kwan Lin. He has further studied saxophone with Dr. Stephen Page, Harvey Pittel, and Vincent David, among others. |
Trumpet
Connor Harper
[email protected] Connor Harper is excited to start teaching here at Covington Middle School. He has been playing trumpet for 10 years.
He attends Texas State University and is a member of the Bobcat Marching Band. He has also marched Drum Corps with the Bluecoats. |