About
Cullen Blain is an innovative performing musician with a passion for wind chamber music and music education.
When Cullen isn't teaching, he has performed with the West Bsy Opera, Monterey Symphony, Stanford University Symphonies, Redwood Symphony, Peninsula Symphony, Google Orchestra, and Bay Area Rainbow Orchestra. Previously, Cullen has performed with Dayton Philharmonic, Cincinnati Chamber Opera, Springfield Symphony, Queen City Opera, Kentucky Symphony, Thomaston Opera House, and Warner Theater productions. Cullen holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts and Masters of Music in Bassoon Performance from the College-Conservatory of Music with a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Central Connecticut State University.
He has had notable performances under the direction of Keith Lockhart, Paavo Järvi, alongside The Who and Four Tops. He has had the opportunity to perform with jazz legend Lew Soloff and the Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.
In addition to performing, Cullen is a 2017 recipient of the UC Fealy Bearcat Bridge Fund, integrating academic research into a tech-based startup.
I enjoy performing and teaching equally. As a musician, it is wonderful to have opportunities to perform with amazing artists and as a teacher it is great to a support young musicians achievement.
Reviews
Barbara B.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
For a complete beginner to the instrument, the first lesson overviews what all is needed, required materials, and resources. I have had a number of students recently who have come to me after some time playing the instrument in which case it is a lesson to see where they are currently, technique issues, what have they been working on and building upon prior knowledge. Many times, and with bassoon especially, we may have a talent or natural ability that needs cultivation and my philosophy is to meet the student where they are and work from there.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I attained Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) and Master of Music (MM) in Bassoon Performance from the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music studying under the tutalage of William O. Winstead and Martin James. I recieved my Bachelors of Arts (BA), in Music from Central Connecticut State University studying with Dr. Brian Kershner. I relocated to the Bay area after attaining my doctorate and have extensive performance experience including performances with the Dayton Philharmonic, Cincinnati Chamber Opera, Springfield Symphony, Queen City Opera, Kentucky Symphony, Thomaston Opera House, and Warner Theater productions.
Notable performances include performing under the direction of Keith Lockhart, Paavo Järvi, alongside The Who and Four Tops, and I have had the opportunity to perform with jazz legend Lew Soloff and the Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Socieconomic status should not be a barrier to access a quality education, I am happy to discuss a rate and my lesson price remains competitive. I also supply students with reeds and supplement etudes, music, or tools from time to time.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Find a good teacher with both performing and teaching experience and if you can, work with other teachers at some point through masterclasses, a summer camp, or at a band clinic. It is really important to get different opinions on your playing especially when finding a teacher, they should be both critical and supportive of your development.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
I think every student should keep a lesson journal and on the first page answer a few simple questions:
What are your personal performance goals?
What are 3 reasons why you want to learn this instrument? Why is music important to you?
This way, if practicing a passage of music ever gets difficult or you're just having a bad reed day, you can slow it down, check in with yourself, and get back to the real reasons you picked up the instrument. When you find the thing that motivates you even with things may seem difficult, nothing can stop you!