About Me
Music has been part of my life for as long as I can remember.
I’ve been teaching clarinet for more than 25 years, and although my own career has taken me in different directions over the years, teaching has remained one of the parts of being a musician that I love most.
My musical training began at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts where I studied with Robert Listokin and Cleveland Orchestra clarinetist Dan McKelway; followed by a Master of Music with honors from New England Conservatory, where I studied with Boston Symphony Orchestra clarinetist Thomas Martin. I later moved to the Netherlands to earn an Artist Diploma with honors from the Royal Conservatory in The Hague where I studied with Sjef Dowes, Principal Clarinet of Rotterdam Philharmonic.
I was also fortunate to spend two summers as a Tanglewood Music Center Fellow, where I played under conductors such as Seiji Ozawa and Kurt Masur.
Before stepping away from professional performing, I worked as a solo, orchestral, and chamber musician in the United States and Europe, performing with ensembles including the New World Symphony, Charleston Symphony, Boston Philharmonic, Asko Ensemble, and Holland Symfonia.
Why I Teach
All of that experience informs my teaching—but it isn’t what I believe makes someone a good teacher.
Teaching is about figuring out what this particular student needs.
Some students need help producing the sound they hear in their heads. Some need to rebuild an embouchure or develop better breath support. Some are preparing for an important audition. Others need confidence, structure, or simply someone who can make playing the clarinet feel enjoyable again.
There is no single path that works for every student.
One thing, however, is at the heart of nearly everything I teach:
Tone, tone, tone. (And breathing!)
I believe a beautiful sound is the foundation of great clarinet playing. I also play alongside my students frequently. Hearing and experiencing good tone, intonation, rhythm, phrasing, and ensemble playing in real time teaches things that words alone simply can't.
More Than Getting the Notes Right
My goal isn't just to help students become better clarinet players. I want them to become more thoughtful, independent musicians.
That means learning how to listen critically, solve problems, understand a musical phrase, prepare effectively, and walk into an audition or performance knowing they have done the work.
I've taught students at many different levels, from beginners making their first sounds to advanced young musicians preparing for District and All-State auditions, youth orchestras, festivals, and college auditions. I also enjoy working with adults who are returning to the clarinet after years away.
Today I maintain a small private studio in North Framingham, which allows me to know my students well and tailor lessons to each individual.
After more than 25 years of teaching, that's still my favorite part of the work: helping someone hear the difference between where they started and what they suddenly realize they're capable of.
What People Have Said
“…played with fervency, zeal, and great ability…a full-toned, warm, soft clarinet sound.”
— Freies Wort, Thueringen, Germany
“Erin Simmons’ playing revealed polish, personality, and a knack for uncovering the music’s delightfully capricious qualities. Staccato sections sputtered out with verve, note-clogged runs whizzed by effortlessly.”
— Winston-Salem Journal
“The clarinet had a rounded and soft depth of tone, demonstrating a leadership of the ensemble.”
— Meininger Tageblatt, Germany
“With seasoned confidence, precision and vitality…negotiated the fiendishly difficult rhythmic complexities.”
— Winston-Salem Journal
“Also marvelous was Blaauw’s seduction dance with ‘Eva’, basset horn player Erin Simmons.”
— Parool, Amsterdam, Netherlands
“Eva on basset horn, also excellently performed by Erin Simmons.”
— Trouw, Netherlands
“Erin Simmons on basset horn…in the important role of ‘Eva’. Convincing was the almost animal-like mating ritual with which she was calling ‘Michael’…all of this was very effective.”
— NRC Handelsblad, Netherlands
