KATE FORMAN

Clarinet and Saxophone

Artist Statement: What is your philosophy about teaching and music education? What has lead you down the path of teaching your musical specialty? What inspires you and your teaching techniques?

I believe that music can and should be accessible to anyone who wants to play an instrument, whatever their level. With that in mind, I always try to meet each student where they are individually, balancing fundamentals of technique and the physicality of the instrument with playing music that is engaging and fun. In all of my lessons and classes I endeavor to create an environment where my students feel comfortable and supported, while hopefully being challenged at the same time. I encourage students to stretch their comfort zones, even a little, by trying out music and techniques that are new to them, while also making sure to leave room for music that they know and love! Both of my parents, as well as several extended family members are music teachers and performers, and I grew up surrounded by music educators. Having this amazing community has certainly always inspired and informed my teaching.

Teaching Bio: Where have you taught? Where and what do you currently teach? Where has your teaching career taken you in the world and as a professional?

I spent the last nine years teaching at New York University Abu Dhabi, where I worked with college students from all around the world. I taught private clarinet, saxophone, and piano lessons, as well as group classes for beginners, and coached several advanced woodwind chamber ensembles.

Before moving to Abu Dhabi, I was a freelance teacher and performer based in New York City. I taught private lessons to students in New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey, and led group lessons and small wind bands through a music service at several small private schools throughout New York City. I also ran the instrumental music program and band at Lacordaire Academy in Montclair, New Jersey for three years.

I was the stage manager at New England Music Camp (at Snow Pond Center for the Arts) in Sidney, Maine for twelve summers, where I additionally taught the woodwind classes and helped coach students in the large performing ensembles.

I’m thrilled to be joining the faculty at MCMC!

Performance Bio: Where have you performed and with whom? What roles did you have in your performances? If performance has not been a big part of your musical career, what are your thoughts and/or philosophy about performing?

For as long as I’ve played an instrument, I’ve also been performing, starting with my first piano recital at the age of six. Once I began clarinet, I joined the school band and have been playing with ensembles ever since. Some of the groups I’ve played with over the years include the Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra, Greater Bridgeport Symphony Orchestra, Festival Orchestra of Oyster Bay, Hudson Valley Chamber Winds, Metropolitan Wind Symphony, and Westchester Symphonic Winds, as well as pit orchestras throughout the New York metropolitan area. I performed both as a soloist and with chamber groups in faculty recitals during all twelve summers I worked at New England Music Camp. I’m also very happy to have recently joined the Middlebury Community Wind Ensemble! As a faculty member at New York University Abu Dhabi I also had many opportunities to perform, including two full solo recitals, a number of multi-faculty concerts, as well as several chamber concerts with both NYU faculty and visiting guest artists, and was also a featured performer at the inaugural event for the new university president in 2016. In January 2023, composer Matthew Quayle (who happens to be my husband!) and I recorded his Sonatine for Clarinet and Piano, which will be included on his upcoming album of woodwind chamber music, to be released by Centaur Records later this year. I hold degrees in clarinet performance from Boston University (BM) and New York University (MA). I find performance, whether as a soloist or as part of an ensemble to be one of the most fun and rewarding parts of playing an instrument. I always encourage all of my students to take part in performances, no matter their level. There is always joy in sharing music with others!