London Clarinet Teachers
Finding a clarinet teacher in North London
On this page, you’ll find a range of different clarinet teachers covering the North London area.
All listings have the key information presented, such as price, coverage area, contact information, travel information and qualifications. Where applicable, each teacher has provided their genre specialities, such as jazz or classical, which can help you find the best teacher for the style of music you wish to learn. Each profile has been written and completed by the music teachers themselves.
Please note that none of the teachers on this site have been independently verified by ourselves and we do not verify or ask for a CRB (or equivalent) check, or any proof of qualifications prior to the teachers appearing on this list.
Are you a clarinet teacher in North London?
If you are a clarinet teacher in the North London area, we would be happy to add you to our list. Simply use our submission form to provide some details about yourself and your teaching, and we will take care of the rest.
Shelley Levy
Instrument Taught: Clarinet
Locations covered: North London + remote lessons
Pricing: £55/60 mins, £42/45 mins, £30/30 mins
Website: shelleylevy.com
Email: shelleyjlevy@googlemail.com
Phone: 07950 917041
Bio:
Shelley is a seasoned performer, performing solo, chamber and orchestral music in the U.K, Europe, Canada and South Africa. As well as teaching privately she teaches at the Hall School, Hampstead. She is an experienced, patient and friendly teacher.
She won the Oudermeester competition for wind instruments, the Natal 75th Anniversary Prize for orchestral instruments and the wind category of the ATKV FORTE competition in South Africa, and was a woodwind finalist in the Royal Overseas League Competition in London. She have freelanced with the Natal Philharmonic orchestra, the CapeTown Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London and BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestras, amongst others. UK performances have included concerts in the Barbican and Royal Festival Hall. She’s been broadcast by BBC Radio 3 with Leto ensemble and recorded and album with Ensemble Burletta on Toccato Classics record label, this received glowing reviews in Gramophone Magazine.
Ana Maria Bautista
Instrument Taught: Clarinet
Locations covered: Remote lessons only
Pricing: £55/60 mins, £42/45 mins, £30/30 mins
Email: anamariaclarinet@gmail.com
Bio:
Music is the path that connects Ana Maria to others and the prism that gives her a wide view of culture and society. Although the base of her musical knowledge is classical music, Ana Maria has lived in many countries therefore she’s influenced by different styles as jazz, traditional, latin and mediterranean.
Thanks to her experience teaching for more than 10 years to students of a wide range of ages and levels, she has developed an approach that is personalised for each student, covering all the fundamentals of clarinet technique and music theory. She gives lots of importance to ear training, body posture, breathing technique and student's mood, looking for a comfortable environment to learn and practise, because she believes that music is not only a strong intellectual training but is also really connected to emotional intelligence.
Bozena McElroy
Instrument Taught: Clarinet/Sax/Flute
Locations covered: Barnet/Enfield
Pricing: £40/hour
Email: bozbates@yahoo.co.uk
Phone: 07908113714
Bio:
Bozena has an eclectic passion for all woodwind instruments having played recorder and then flute since the age of six and then pursuing saxophone and clarinet with a little bit of oboe. Bozena has a first class joint honours degree from Glasgow University, a teaching diploma from Kings College as well as performance diplomas. She performed with her partner Nick in London, Edinburgh and Spain. She has chaired the North London branch of the Society of Recorder players and directed various ensembles in local settings in an out of school. A capable performer, her main strengths really lie in her teaching which she has done for 30 years now. Bozena currently teaches in St Vincent‘s Catholic primary School, Frith Manor and Chancellors as well as at the Sound Garden in Barnet. Bozena also teaches privately in her teaching studio. She is very ambitious for her students and believes they should all achieve their potential at whatever level that may be.
London Clarinet Teachers - Frequently Asked Questions
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The cost of a clarinet lesson can vary depending on factors such as the teacher's experience, the lesson's length, and whether it's in-person or online. According to the Musician’s Union, the minimum rate for an hour lesson in 2025 should be £42.50, although in London it might be a slightly higher fee
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You can typically start learning the clarinet around 9 to 10 years old, though this can vary depending on the individual. Here’s why:
1. Physical Requirements:
Mouthpiece and Embouchure: The clarinet uses a reed and mouthpiece that require a certain level of lip strength and control (embouchure), which can be difficult for younger children to manage. By around age 9 or 10, most kids have developed enough facial muscle strength to play effectively.
Breath Control: The clarinet requires a good amount of air support, and younger kids may not have developed the lung capacity needed for playing the instrument well.
2. Instrument Size and Finger Reach:
The clarinet is a bit longer than some other woodwind instruments, so it requires kids to have enough hand span and finger dexterity to cover the keys properly. Around 9 or 10 years old is typically when kids have the coordination to handle the size of the clarinet.
Adults can start learning the clarinet at any age. It’s a great instrument for adult beginners, and many people take it up later in life. While it may take time to develop the embouchure and breath control, with practice, adults can become proficient on the clarinet.
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The clarinet can be a bit challenging to learn at first, but with practice and proper guidance, it becomes more manageable over time. Like most woodwind instruments, it requires coordination, technique, and patience.
The first few months can be tough as you adjust to the physical demands of the instrument. However, once you get past the initial learning curve, it becomes much easier. Playing simple songs is achievable within a few weeks or months, and you'll notice rapid improvements if you stick with consistent practice.
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Yes, you can definitely learn the clarinet both online and in-person. The choice between online or in-person lessons depends on your preferences, resources, and the type of learning experience you're seeking.
Pros of in-person learning can be: personalised instruction (a teacher can give you immediate, hands-on feedback), and social interaction (if you’re learning as part of a group, in-person lessons are a great way to meet other students and gain ensemble experience).
Whereas pros of online lessons can be: flexibility (you can choose lessons that fit into your schedule and often don’t need to travel), affordability (online lessons can sometimes be less expensive than in-person lessons because they save on travel costs for both you and the teacher), and a wide range of teachers (with online learning, you have access to teachers from all over the world, so you can find someone with the perfect teaching style and expertise).
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The amount of practice needed to improve your clarinet playing depends on your goals, current skill level, and how quickly you want to progress. However, general guidelines would suggest 20-30 mins a day for beginners, 30-60 mins a day for intermediate students, and 1-2 hours a day for advanced players
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You don’t have to own your own clarinet, or certainly not to begin with, while you’re still figuring out if you like it.
We offer a clarinet rental service at a very competitive price and with a minimum term of 2 month, allowing you to try it out without a large upfront cost. You will even have the option of buying a new instrument further down the line.
Speak to us to find out more about our stock and prices.
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