PRIVATE LESSONS

I offer private music lessons through Clever Clarinetist, serving students both online worldwide and in person in the Kansas City area. Lessons are individualized, goal-driven, and grounded in sustainable, efficient musicianship.

 

Regardless of format or instrument, all lessons share a common approach: thoughtful diagnosis, clear problem-solving, and long-term musical development rather than quick fixes.

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Instruments & Areas of Study

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Private instruction is available for the following instruments:

 

• Clarinet (B♭, Bass, and E, and other members of the family)

• Saxophone (alto, tenor, and bari, depending on level and goals)

• Recorder (beginner through advanced, including early music and modern pedagogy)

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Lessons may also include support with:

 

• Technique and embouchure development

• Tone production and consistency

• Repertoire and audition preparation

• Practice strategies and efficiency

• Equipment setup, reeds, and maintenance

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Instruction is tailored to the instrument, repertoire, and individual student’s goals.

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Levels & Student Types

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Lessons are appropriate for a wide range of students, including:

 

• Beginner students developing fundamentals and healthy habits

• Middle and high school students building technique, confidence, and musical literacy

• College-bound students preparing auditions and advanced repertoire

• University-level and pre-professional musicians refining consistency and efficiency

• Adult returners rebuilding technique, tone, and confidence

 

Students are encouraged to engage actively in their own learning and to practice thoughtfully between lessons.​

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Focused Study Packages

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In addition to ongoing private lessons, I offer Focused Study Packages—short, four-lesson series designed to address one specific technical or musical challenge. These packages allow students to work intensively on areas such as embouchure, technique, practice structure, or setup without committing to long-term weekly lessons.

 

Topics include:

• Embouchure Reset

• Tone Clarity Intensive

• Technique Without Tension

• Establishing Your Routine

• Audition Tune-Up

• Performance Confidence Lab

• Back-to-Clarinet Boot Camp

• Bass Clarinet Rest

• Reeds + Set-Up Reality Check

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Teaching Approach

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All private lessons emphasize:

 

• Sustainable, healthy technique across instruments

• Clear embouchure and tone-production strategies

• Efficient technical coordination

• Musical independence and confidence

• Practical tools for long-term growth

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While repertoire and goals vary by instrument and level, the underlying pedagogical approach remains consistent. Find a link to my lesson philosophy and policies at the end of this page.

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Lesson Formats

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Lessons are offered in two formats:

 

• Online lessons — available worldwide

• In-person lessons — available on a limited basis in Kansas City, Missouri, and Overland Park, Kansas

  • You can ​use your navigation app of choice (like Apple or Google Maps to find and navigate to my shop.

  • I am also teaching at Music Academy of Kansas City in Lenexa, Kansas. Lessons at MAKC can be booked here. 

 

Each format has its own structure, availability, and booking system.

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Next Steps

 

To learn more or to book a lesson, please choose the format that best fits your needs:

 

• Online Music Lessons

• In-Person Music Lessons (Kansas City)

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All lessons are booked directly through this website (follow the links above or the buttons at the bottom of this page).

Please contact me only if you experience a technical issue with booking.

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About The Instructor

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Dr. Larkin Sanders (b. 1987) is a vibrant musician, educator, and artist based in Kansas City, Missouri. She is the owner of The Clever Clarinetist (a specialty clarinet shop) and the Executive-Artistic Director of the Taneycomo Festival Orchestra. A sought-after performer, Dr. Sanders has appeared as a soloist across the United States and internationally, and she regularly collaborates with ensembles such as the Taneycomo Winds and the Springfield, Topeka, and Kansas City Symphonies.

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Dedicated to arts advocacy, Dr. Sanders serves on nonprofit boards, including the American Single Reed Summit and the Charlotte House Series. She is a Henri Selmer Paris, Behn, D’Addario & Co., Corbin Clarinet Products, and Silverstein Pro Team Artist.

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Beyond performance, Dr. Sanders is an accomplished composer, author, and digital artist. Her compositions, inspired by storytelling, range from chamber operettas to children’s music and have been performed widely. Her artwork, featured by the International Clarinet Association, is showcased in her shop and in musician logos. She is also the author of The Creation of the Taneycomo Festival Orchestra: The Performer’s Field Guide to Music Festival Foundation and The Clever Clarinetist’s Daily Scale Method, used by institutions such as the Florida State University.

 

Dr. Sanders earned her Doctor of Music degree in clarinet performance and a certificate in arts administration from the Florida State University, where she studied with Dr. Frank Kowalsky and Dr. Deborah Bish and taught clarinet fundamentals to undergraduates. She holds a Master of Music degree from Michigan State University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Kansas. Dr. Sanders has extensive experience teaching at the collegiate level, having served on the faculties of multiple universities.

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A passionate creative, Dr. Sanders is an avid scuba diver and craftswoman, with a love for sewing and found object creations. She cherishes time with her family and friends, her Norwegian Forest cat, Miles, and her dog, Miko.

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Learn more about my credentials on my portfolio website by clicking here.

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Scheduling Note

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I am expecting a baby in late February or early March. Lessons will be paused around that time to allow for recovery. While the timelines below reflect a best-case scenario, recovery may take longer if medical circumstances require it. Any schedule changes will be communicated promptly, and affected lessons will be rescheduled or credited.