Lanissa Nadeau offers private lessons in flute, clarinet, saxophone, and piano to students of all ages and abilities in the Bangor, Maine area, as well as beyond.
Lanissa Nadeau has been teaching in both public schools and privately for over 30 years, and she is the Grades 5-8 Music Educator at the Brewer Community School. She graduated from the University of Maine in 1994 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education, with a concentration in clarinet, and has completed graduate work at both Plymouth State College and the University of Maine.
While at Brewer, her Concert and Jazz Bands have gained a reputation throughout the State of Maine as being advanced, polished-sounding groups. Her Middle School Jazz Band consistently receives gold ratings and places in the top three in the State. Lanissa’s bands have performed with notable musicians such as Wayne Bergeron, Roger Ingram, Eric Marienthal, Jeff Coffin, and Mike Stern.
Teaching Experience
Although she has experience with and is fully qualified to teach all Music K-12, she specializes at Main Street Music Studios in working with all beginner concert band students, woodwinds (flute, clarinet and saxophone) & piano students of all ages and abilities, has a proven method for teaching beginner improvisation and jazz phrasing at all levels, and preparing high school students for All-State auditions. Her high school private students frequently score top chairs at the All-State Music Festival. Several students have advanced to studying music education and performance in college.
Band Consulting
She also provides a band consultant service. Often, young musicians are unsure about which instrument they would like to play in a beginner band. Mrs. Nadeau allows them to try the different instruments, discussing their strengths and teaching them good habits and musicianship right from the start.
Mrs. Nadeau believes that students learn best when they play music they enjoy. A goal in her lessons is to have fun while being challenged and making connections to prior learning. As all music is based on scales, an emphasis on scale technique is a vital part of lessons. She encourages students to bring music they are working on in their school ensembles and to express what style of music they most enjoy playing. Lessons are relaxed yet very focused and detail-oriented, tailored to the individual student’s needs.
Performance Experience
Performing groups in which she plays are varied, including, but not limited to, the Colby College Wind Ensemble, Al Corey Big Band, Brian Nadeau Big Band, Queen City Big Band, Opus One Big Band, Nu Force Big Band, Volunteer Big Band, German Stammitch Band, Holiday Brass Band, and smaller groups of various types.
She has adjudicated and been guest conductor at many festivals around the State of Maine, including the KV Music Festival, Solo and Ensemble Festival, Washington County Festival, District Jazz Festivals, and several District Honors Festivals.
