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I offer lessons in:

  • Chamber Music Coaching
  • Concert Band Conducting
  • Orchestral Conducting
  • Instrumental Coaching
  • Music Appreciation
  • Basic Music Theory
  • Intermediate Music Theory
  • Advanced Music Theory
  • Classical Oboe
  • Classical Piano
     
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    Nobuo KitagawaOffering private lessons in
    Center Valley, Pennsylvania
    About MeContact MeCalendarBlog
    Introduction
    I am an oboist who moved from New York City to Lehigh Valley, PA a year ago. I hold degrees from Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music (BM) and Yale School of Music (MM, MMA, DMA). I teach oboe at Lafayette College in Easton and coach adult chamber music workshops at Kinhaven Music School in Vermont. I am a busy freelance player whose experience ranges from Broadway shows (Beauty and the Beast, Phantom of the Opera, etc.), chamber music, studio recording, solo recitals, to a Bach choir orchestra.

    Teaching Background
    I started conducting my junior high school band when I was 14. At age 16, before I had my own private teacher, I started teaching oboe. At age 18, I was hired as a guest conductor for a local high school band. During college, I started coaching chamber music and wind sectionals. While at Yale, I taught undergraduate students and assisted my teacher, Ronald Roseman, in graduate seminars.

    After graduation, I taught at Connecticut College and Queens College in New York. I have given workshops and master classes at schools such as Wesleyan University, Harlem School of Performing Arts and Kinhaven Music School. I’ve been involved with a wide variety of educational programs with chamber music groups, orchestras and choirs.

    My Teaching Philosophy
    I am very interested in how people learn differently. As Dawna Markova’s work shows, people process auditory, visual, and kinesthetic information in their own way. I create a learning profile of each student which also helps them in other fields of study. As a father of two young children, I’m fascinated by how young minds process new information.

    I believe understanding the attitude behind each piece of music is invaluable. Beyond stylistic issues, I help my students learn the cultural and historical backgrounds of the pieces they are working on. I believe intimate knowledge of the people and the time always help deepens the relationship between the player and the music.

    Another interest of mine is the mind-body interactions in learning. As sport medicine made great strides in understanding how mind and body influence each other, there is so much to explore in learning music. Through my private lessons and advanced workshops in practice techniques, I help students explore the fascinating fields of mind-body relationship.

    Every lesson at my home studio is digitally recorded. Whenever I find it useful, I email the sound file (MP3) to the student.

    Master Class, Workshops and Guest Conducting
    I offer master class for all instrumentalists individually or as groups. I give workshops on practice techniques (beginning and advanced), performance anxiety, tuning and musicianship and oboe reed making.

    I have extensive experience in helping Japanese school bands prepare for the national competition. I usually coach both band and the conductor so that they are best prepare for the competition.

    My Rates
    I charge $60 for one-hour and $50 for 45 minutes oboe lessons. I offer one-time only 45 minutes trial lesson for $30. Different fees apply to theory, ear training and piano lessons. For workshops, master class and guest conducting, please contact me.

    I give lessons in my home studio in Center Valley and at Lafayette College in Easton. For availability and free demo CDs, please leave a message by clicking the "Send Message" button on this page.

    Calendar
    11 upcoming events

    Salieri Concerto for Flute, Oboe and Orchestra (Easton, PA)
    November 23, 2008
     
    Orchestra New England (New Haven, CT)
    November 29, 2008
     
    Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic (Scranton, PA)
    December 5, 2008
     
    Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic (Wilkes-Barre, PA)
    December 6, 2008
     
    View All Upcoming Events

    Blog
    44 postings total

    Reed Talk #12 – Knives for Shaping
    August 4, 2008
     
    Reed Talk #11 – Razor Blade for Clipping Tip
    August 1, 2008
     
    Musicians’ Reference #2 – 150-Year Cycles
    July 30, 2008
     
    Oboe FAQs #4 – Wood or Plastic?
    July 28, 2008
     
    View All Blog Postings