Which instrument/s do you currently teach?
Clarinet and music theory
What made you realize that music was a large part of your path? In what ways have your parents (or family) supported you on this path?
I've always loved music and participated in band since I was nine years old. My family are all musical, so my childhood was always very involved with music at home, whether it was classical, rock, or jazz.
Has there been one particular moment in your musical career that you're most proud of?
Winning the Allen Strange Memorial Composition Prize for my string orchestra piece "The Night Lark" in 2019. My piece was premiered by the San Jose Chamber Orchestra the same year.
In the first lesson with you as a beginner, what do you typically go over first? In other words, what is important to know when you first start playing?
Embouchure! Along with proper breathing and posture. The most important fundamental to learn first is to be able to properly produce a beautiful, strong, and steady sound on the instrument because this will apply to every new challenge we encounter on clarinet. We learn how to effectively make the instrument of our choice an extension of our creative voice.
In which ways do you encourage or support your students during hard times (such as now with the pandemic)?
Two things come to mind:
1. Motivation should come from passion and a strong interest in the craft, and the best way this can be achieved is through independence in a student's own learning. During lessons, one of my top priorities is that the student is completely capable of exceeding expectations of their weekly practice because while each student is unable to play music with their classmates during this time, I work to find ways for each student to fulfill themselves musically on their own as solo artists. This ability for independent study and fulfillment in their success can be applied to any challenge they come to in life as well. As the teacher, I do have my own curriculum and set of standards designed for your success, but private lessons should also be flexible for you, the student, to learn in a way that works best for you and how you absorb information. During this time, I've allowed for students to make their own suggestions for what they want to learn from lessons so that they can best succeed as individual musicians, and always, have fun!
2. In addition to music and academics, I often remind the students that balance is such an important aspect to daily life. With the stress of online school and being unable to see their friends in person, I recommend and guide students to also indulge in their own personal interests and hobbies, or even try something new! I have taken this extra time at home to work on digital art design, cooking, recording music for collaborations, biking, and roller skating this year, to name a few things. Those keep my life balanced between work and everyday life, and prevents the days from blending into each other and becoming static.
Outside of the music world, how or where do you find inspiration to play or write music?
Being open to new life experiences, and inspiration from other art forms such as animation and dance.
What is the best advice you’ve been given?
Every opportunity you do not reach for, you can 100% guarantee you will not get to have it.
What’s next for you? Are there any projects you’re currently working on or have planned?
I recently graduated from San Jose State University with my BM in Composition, so this year has definitely been about trying to figure out the next step. I'm grateful to continue teaching my wonderful students, and in addition to teaching I've recently put together a music and sound production team consisting of recently-graduated university colleagues to begin working on collaborations, such as media and animation, with other local artists.
Thanks Brenna! If you have any questions or would like to set up a lesson, please email: info@legatomusicschool.com