Hi, I'm Deborah Andrus

Founder of The Clarinet Guide

Photo by KeneK Photography

Biography

Equal parts entrepreneur, educator and clarinetist, Debbie Andrus, The Clarinet Guide believes that what is required to face a musical challenge is a solid plan and a supportive mentor. She loves teaching students at all levels and abilities to set clear goals and to creatively solve their clarinet challenges. Lauded for her “inspirational teaching”, Dr. Andrus teaches clarinet at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and online at Clarinet Guide and for Clarinet Mastery with Michelle Anderson.

In addition to teaching her clarinet students, Debbie is just as passionate about creating resources for her students to succeed as clarinetists quickly and effectively. Her latest book, The Chalumeau Register, is the first in a planned series of clarinet technique books for students of all ages, levels and abilities. Her first book, Teaching Woodwinds, is a collaboratively-written, comprehensive woodwind methods resource for music educators. Teaching Woodwinds was reviewed in The Clarinet as a “…hands-on book with excellent audio examples…as well as a wealth of videos and resources.” With her colleague Michelle Anderson, Debbie is thrilled to announce their forthcoming book for adult clarinet enthusiasts, DIY Clarinet, from the publisher Hal Leonard.

Debbie loves performing as much as teaching, and is the second clarinetist with the Allentown Symphony Orchestra. Beyond the orchestra and occasional performances with the Allentown Band, Debbie collaborates with her friends as a member of the SATORI Chamber Ensemble and the DeMarina Trio. Debbie’s playing and teaching is inspired by the wonderful and encouraging pedagogues she has been privileged to work with, most especially Alan Woy, James Pyne, Theodore Oien, Mark Nuccio and Elsa Ludewig-Verdehr.

Beyond her teaching, playing and writing, Dr. Andrus is the co-chair of the Clarinet Enthusiasts Committee for the International Clarinet Association. Debbie is an alumna of SUNY Potsdam, Michigan State University and The Ohio State University. She proudly represents Buffet Crampon USA as an Artist-Clinician and plays Buffet R-13 clarinets.