Seattle, WA · Updated July 2026
The 4 Best Clarinet Teachers in Seattle, WA (2026)
The best clarinet teachers in Seattle, WA right now are Aaron Wolff (co-founder of Puget Woodwind Studio, from $120/month), Denise Lum (Northwestern, former Principal Clarinet of the South Bend Symphony), and Dr. Evan Smith (DMA, active jazz and classical performer). Clarinet lessons in Seattle start around $120 per month, with several teachers quoting rates on inquiry.
All 4 clarinet teachers currently listed on Tutoraro for Seattle are compared below by credentials, teaching focus, and student fit.
Clarinet lessons in Seattle mostly serve one pipeline: school band. Students who start private lessons a semester before band class walk in already producing a clean tone and reading rhythms — and in a beginning-band room of forty kids, that head start tends to stick for years. The city's four listed teachers are built for exactly that trajectory, with credentials running from Northwestern to a Doctorate of Musical Arts.
All four clarinet teachers currently listed for Seattle on Tutoraro are compared below. Pricing starts around $120 per month; two quote rates on inquiry, which is common for teachers whose studios fill by referral. Verified July 1, 2026.
At a glance
Top 4 clarinet teachers in Seattle, compared
Every teacher below is listed on Tutoraro's Seattle clarinet page and currently shows availability for new students. Rates come directly from each teacher's profile.
| # | Teacher | Rate | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aaron Wolff | from $120 /mo | Best overall |
| 2 | Denise Lum | Contact for rates | Best orchestral credentials |
| 3 | Dr. Evan Smith | Contact for rates | Best for jazz & sax doubling |
| 4 | Peter Cramer | Contact for rates | Best for multi-woodwind students |
The picks
The best clarinet teachers in Seattle, ranked
Aaron WolffBest overall
Professional woodwind educator and co-founder of Puget Woodwind Studio, teaching clarinet and saxophone to students of all ages and levels.
Why we picked Aaron: Co-founder of Puget Woodwind Studio with a structured program across ages and levels — the most established clarinet studio operation in the city, from $120 a month.
Denise LumBest orchestral credentials
Bachelor of Music with Distinction from Northwestern University. Former Principal Clarinet of the South Bend Symphony (9 years); performed with Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra, Auburn Symphony, and Seattle Symphony. Nearly 30 years of teaching experience.
Why we picked Denise: A Bachelor of Music with Distinction from Northwestern and nine years as Principal Clarinet of the South Bend Symphony — orchestral credentials nobody else on this list matches.
Dr. Evan SmithBest for jazz & sax doubling
One of Seattle's leading musical voices, active as both a performer and dedicated teacher of saxophone and clarinet.
Why we picked Evan: A DMA and an active performing career in both jazz and classical — the pick for students eyeing jazz band or planning to double on saxophone.
Peter CramerBest for multi-woodwind students
Graduated Cum Laude from Cornish College of the Arts (2007). Has taught clarinet, flute, and saxophone privately since 2007 across Seattle's jazz and classical scenes.
Why we picked Peter: Cornish-trained and teaching clarinet, flute, and saxophone privately since 2007 — the flexible choice for band students who may switch instruments or double.
See full profiles, availability, and contact options on the Seattle clarinet lessons page.
Buying advice
How to choose a clarinet teacher in Seattle
Timing beats almost everything with clarinet. The sweet spot to start is age 9–10, once adult front teeth are stable — ideally the spring before school band begins. Rent first ($15–$30 a month through school programs or local shops) and skip sub-$150 instruments, which fight the student on every note and get blamed on the child instead of the hardware.
If All-State or honor band is the ambition, ask directly about WMEA audition preparation. Scales at tempo, prepared etudes, sight-reading, and mock auditions are a specific coaching skill, not a given — and the teachers on this list who perform professionally handle that pressure-proofing best.
Methodology
How we ranked these teachers
Tutoraro is a local music-lesson search site for Greater Seattle, and this article draws from every clarinet teacher currently listed for Seattle — we don't take placement fees for ranking position. Order and "best for" labels reflect each teacher's credentials (degrees, certifications, orchestra and faculty positions), teaching experience (years and student age ranges), published rates, and specialty fit as stated on their profiles. Rates and availability were last verified July 1, 2026 and can change — always confirm directly with the teacher.
Seattle clarinet teachers serve school-band students across the north end — Fremont/Wallingford (98103), Ravenna (98115), and Northgate (98125).
People also ask
Clarinet lessons in Seattle: your questions answered
Who are the best clarinet teachers in Seattle, WA?
Seattle has a solid community of private clarinet teachers connected to the city's school band programs, the University of Washington, and the area's active woodwind performance scene. Tutoraro lists clarinet teachers including Aaron Wolff, Denise Lum, Evan Smith, and Peter Cramer, who serve Seattle students across neighborhoods and skill levels. The best clarinet teacher in Seattle for your student depends on whether the goal is school band preparation, classical technique development, jazz clarinet, or All-State audition prep. Browse the Seattle clarinet teacher listings on Tutoraro to compare active profiles.
How much do clarinet lessons cost in Seattle, WA?
Private clarinet lessons in Seattle typically cost $45–$90 per session for a 30- to 60-minute lesson. Teachers charging on the lower end (around $45–$60) usually work part-time or specialize in beginner and school-band-level students. More experienced teachers with college or conservatory backgrounds, or those preparing students for All-State band auditions, typically charge $65–$90. Monthly packages for weekly 45-minute lessons run approximately $180–$360. Ask whether reeds and method books are included or billed separately.
Can my child take clarinet lessons before joining school band in Seattle?
Yes — starting clarinet lessons before joining school band in Seattle is a strong advantage. Students who begin private lessons a semester or a full year before their school's band program start arrive with basic tone production, simple scales, and reading fundamentals already in place, allowing them to progress faster and feel more confident from the first rehearsal. Many Seattle clarinet teachers specifically offer beginner-focused programs designed to prepare elementary students for the middle school band experience at Seattle Public Schools.
What age can kids start clarinet lessons in Seattle?
Most clarinet teachers in Seattle begin accepting students around age 9 or 10 — old enough for the permanent teeth to have settled in (clarinet embouchure requires stable front teeth), and physically large enough to comfortably hold and reach the keys of a standard Bb clarinet. Some teachers work with students as young as 8. Students younger than that may do well with a smaller woodwind like recorder or even piano before transitioning to clarinet around age 9–10.
Do clarinet teachers in Seattle come to your home?
Yes — in-home clarinet lessons are available in Seattle. Many teachers travel to students across north Seattle neighborhoods including Fremont, Wallingford, Ravenna, and Northgate. In-home lessons work well for clarinet because the instrument is highly portable. Some teachers prefer studio instruction for better acoustic control and access to accompaniment. Check each Tutoraro listing for lesson format options and travel area.
Do I need my own clarinet before starting lessons in Seattle?
Yes — having your own clarinet before beginning regular lessons in Seattle is strongly recommended. Clarinets are affordable to rent (around $15–$30/month through a school rent-to-own program or local music store), and daily practice at home is essential for any meaningful progress. Many Seattle schools offer instrument rental programs at the beginning of the year. If buying, a beginner Bb clarinet from a reliable brand (Yamaha, Buffet, Vandoren) costs $200–$500 new. Avoid very cheap instruments (under $150) that are difficult to produce a good tone on.
Are there jazz clarinet teachers in Seattle?
Jazz clarinet is less common than jazz saxophone in Seattle, but instruction is available. The clarinet was central to the swing era and New Orleans jazz traditions, and Seattle has a jazz scene — centered around venues like Jazz Alley and Dimitriou's Jazz Alley — that includes woodwind players who teach privately. If jazz clarinet is your specific goal, search for teachers with a woodwind doubling background (clarinet and saxophone) or an explicit jazz teaching focus. Most Seattle clarinet teachers focus on classical or band-style instruction.
How do Seattle clarinet teachers prepare students for All-State band auditions?
Washington State All-State band auditions require students to perform scales across multiple keys at specified tempos, a prepared solo or etude, and sight-reading. Seattle clarinet teachers who work on All-State prep assign the official WMEA scale requirements, help students choose a solo that fits their strongest abilities, and run mock auditions to develop confidence under pressure. They typically begin preparation 3–4 months before the audition date. Ask any prospective Seattle clarinet teacher whether they've coached students through the All-State process and what their students' outcomes have been.
What is the difference between Bb clarinet and bass clarinet lessons in Seattle?
Most students in Seattle learn the Bb (soprano) clarinet first — it's the standard instrument in school band programs and private instruction. Bass clarinet is a lower-voiced instrument typically played by experienced clarinet students who double at the request of their school band director. The fingering system is the same, so transitioning from Bb to bass clarinet is relatively straightforward once technique is established. Few private teachers in Seattle specialize in bass clarinet alone — most clarinet teachers can support a student who needs bass clarinet in addition to or instead of Bb.
What should I look for in a Seattle clarinet teacher?
A good Seattle clarinet teacher should demonstrate a clear, warm tone themselves, teach proper embouchure formation from the very first lesson, assign specific scales and technical exercises each week, and help students progress through method books at a steady pace. For school-band-track students, ask whether the teacher is familiar with the specific music program at your child's school and can coordinate lesson content with what the student is covering in band class. For advanced students, ask about All-State prep experience and competition performance track records.
What is the best way to find a clarinet teacher in Seattle?
The fastest way to find a private clarinet teacher in Seattle is to browse the Tutoraro Seattle clarinet listings, which shows active teachers with rates, age ranges, and lesson formats. School band directors at Seattle Public Schools are also a reliable referral source — they often know which local teachers are aligned with the school program's needs. Local music stores like Kennelly Keys Music and Guitar Center in Seattle sometimes maintain referral lists of local private instructors.