Ian van Nuys

Ian van Nuys is a woodwind specialist, with playing proficiency in saxophone, oboe, flute, and clarinet.  His primary instrument is the saxophone, which he studied as part of Dr. Chien-Kwan Lin’s saxophone studio at Eastman School of Music.  Before studying at Eastman, Ian studied saxophone with Mr. Brendan Kelly (MM, University of Michigan) and Jonathan Yanik of the Navy band; oboe with Ms. Alison Lowell (DMA, University of Maryland); flute with Ms. Laura Koffman (DMA, University of Maryland); and clarinet with Mr. Evan Ross Soloman, director of the District of Columbia Youth Orchestra. He has classical performing experience in many settings including solo (concerto, sonata), symphony orchestra, wind ensemble/orchestra, saxophone quartet, and woodwind quintet. In addition to studying saxophone at Eastman, he studied oboe with Ms. Kate Bruns (MM, Eastman School of Music). 

Ian also has experience in the jazz idiom. He played lead alto in Northwestern High School Jazz Band and Prince George’s County Youth Jazz Band and studied tenor saxophone with locally-renowned jazz saxophonist and educator, Bruce Swaim.  His sight-reading skills are exceptional.

Currently, Ian is a teaching artist with the DCYOP. There he teaches clarinet, flute and saxophone. He is also working with the DCYOP to bring after-school music programs to schools across DC, teaching clarinet, flute and saxophone. In addition to that, he teaches at the International School of Music in Bethesda. He also has his private studio, where he teaches a group of kids in elementary, middle, and high school in his hometown of Hyattsville, Maryland.

My teaching style emphasizes the fun in music making. Students can bring in whatever THEY want to learn and I will guide them along. Learning music should be fun!