jd♩JOHN DEARDENMUSIC

CLARINET SPECIALIST · MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST

Make room
for music.

I’m John Dearden, a classically trained clarinetist, performer, and private music instructor in East County San Diego.

Individualized lessons for children, teens, and adults. Musical collaboration for the stage and studio.

Explore lessons Hire me for a project
Close-up of the silver keys and black bell of an acoustic clarinet on a stand
CLARINET AT THE HEART OF IT.
EAST COUNTY SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIAFind your starting point

01 / MUSIC LESSONS

Your instrument.
Your goals.

Private lessons, small groups, and ensemble coaching for children, teens, and adults.

A guitarist learning to accompany songs and a clarinetist preparing school band repertoire need different lessons. I choose methods and repertoire around each student’s abilities, interests, and goals.

My approach builds healthy technique, tone, rhythm, music reading, and musicianship through clear goals and structured practice. Lessons can include theory, sight-reading, ear training, and songwriting.

I keep younger students engaged, tailor lessons to adults’ goals, and communicate with parents about progress and practice. I also help students prepare school band and orchestra repertoire, build ensemble skills, and get ready to perform.

Clarinet

Beginning through advanced

Principal instrument

Saxophone

Beginning through intermediate

Contemporary guitar

Beginning through intermediate

Bass guitar

Beginning

Ukulele

Beginning

Piano

Beginning

Let’s talk lessons

02 / WORK WITH ME

For the stage.
For the song.

Clarinet is my principal instrument.
Collaboration takes many forms.

B♭ clarinet · A clarinet · E♭ soprano clarinet · Bass clarinet
Saxophone · Guitar · Bass guitar · Voice

LIVE / 01

Live performance

My performance background includes orchestras, wind ensembles, church orchestras, and community ensembles.

Get in touch about your event, repertoire, and instrumentation. I bring experience in ensemble performance and church music leadership to each collaboration.

Discuss a gig
STUDIO / 02

Recording

I’m available to contribute to recording projects on clarinets, saxophone, guitar, bass guitar, and voice. Tell me about the music, the part you have in mind, and your schedule.

My background in classical performance and contemporary and traditional church music informs the way I listen, prepare, and collaborate.

Talk about a session

03 / ABOUT JOHN

Grounded in study.
Shaped by playing.

Clarinet has been the center of my musical training. Teaching, ensemble performance, and music leadership have given me many ways to share it.

I have taught through independent, intermittent engagements since 2007, working in homes, churches, and other instructional settings.

As a former church music director, I led contemporary worship and traditional music, choirs, instrumental ensembles, and rehearsals. I selected music, arranged parts, accompanied, and mentored musicians, performing primarily on guitar and voice alongside other instrumental responsibilities.

Private clarinet study

I have studied privately with Frank Renk, Sheryl Renk, and Max Opferkuch of the San Diego Symphony; Susan Warner, Associate Principal Clarinet of the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

I continue advanced study with Max Opferkuch while preparing for professional orchestral auditions.

Professional affiliation

Member, American Federation of Musicians, Local 325, San Diego

EAST COUNTY SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

What are you
working on?

A first lesson, an upcoming gig, a song waiting to be recorded.
Tell me a little about it.

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On a computer without messaging, text 619-519-3373 from your phone.