Nora Shaffer Clarinet And Saxophone Studio

Nora Shaffer is an in-demand freelancer and private instructor in the Chicago area. She has had the pleasure of performing and recording with many area ensembles. Recent appearances include with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Illinois Philharmonic, South Bend Symphony, Illinois Symphony Orchestra, and many others.

A proud DePaul University graduate, she studied with Larry Combs and Julie DeRoche while earning a Performer’s Certificate and Masters in Music (with distinction). She completed a B.A. in music at Luther College, Decorah, IA and has also studied with Stephen Williamson, Bil Jackson, and Andrew Stevens.

Passionate about chamber music, Nora is a founding member (Clarinet 1/Eb Clarinet) of the Lake Effect Clarinet Quartet. As Vandoren artists, the quartet concertizes and presents clinics across the Midwest. Notable performances include at the International Clarinet Association’s 2017 Clarinetfest, a 2017 residency at the Avaloch Farm Music Institute, and at the 2012 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition.

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Nora maintains a private studio in Chicago, as well as significant studios at Lake Central High School, St. John, IN, and Puzon’s Musical Instruments, Lansing, IL. Her talented students have participated at Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa All State Bands/Orchestras, received consistently high marks at Solo Ensemble Festivals, moved higher within their respective sections, and have been accepted to study clarinet at many quality universities.

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In 2017, Nora’s method, Scales and Harmonic Studies for the Intermediate Clarinetist, the first comprehensive intermediate scale study, was published by EHM Publishing. Suitable for high school - early college, this method provides students with a solid knowledge of all keys to eliminate frustration when learning more complex variations of scale study.

I most enjoy helping students take ownership of their playing through giving them the tools to solve problems creatively and encouraging independent thinking. While I spend a lot of lesson time on clarinet fundamentals (air, embouchure, technique), we make time to develop an understanding of the clarinet 's unique acoustics and learn a little physiology.