Clarinet and saxophone study at Mount Allison

I aim to have the clarinet and saxophone studio at Mount A be a welcoming family of students that support and challenge each other to be the best musicians they can be. Each student meets with me individually for lessons twice a week, where we cover detailed aspects of playing the instrument, how to understand and interpret the music, how to listen, and the all-important skill of learning how to practice well. We also all get together once a week to perform for each other and discuss topics of general interest. The environment is friendly and fun, but standards are high. Lessons and practice are the most direct way for us to learn about music. When we play we are expressing the sum of our musical knowledge in sound. If it was easy, everyone could do it. Through careful practice we learn to hear ever more deeply into the sounds we make, revealing a language of which we were hitherto unaware. The ability to speak this language of music is a lifetime undertaking, but it supplies a lifetime of rewards as well.

Comments from students:

“He is incredibly encouraging, very organized, and very funny – he is an amazing musician and a great role model, and I had a fantastic connection with him. He gets right to the music and makes it fun, but always gets great results.”

--Keith Nelson, NYC; former student and Lincoln Center Intern

"Dr. Kalyn quickly understands how his students learn, and adapts his teaching method accordingly. He is almost always in his office, ready for questions, conversations, and extra lessons. It's nice to have an applied music professor who is almost always available, whenever you need anything."

--Philippe Chevarie, saxophone, Mount Allison U.

“Orchestra was high energy rehearsal but fun. We saw real growth in the ensemble from his really specific conducting and instructions for all of us. He had real respect for the ensemble and the ensemble had good respect for him.”

--Abigail Freeman, clarinet, Ohio.

“He’s great – very structured in lessons and he’s very helpful with a lot of things. You go into a lesson and he always takes notes for you and has helped with a practice routine. You always come away with exactly what you need to work on. I call him during the week for extra help and he’s always available, to talk and go out of his way to help.”

--Tim Bennett, saxophone, Oberlin Conservatory