Woodwind Lessons
Cynthia Peterson - Woodwinds
Cindy graduated from the University of Bridgeport in 1980, where she received a B.S. in Music Education, cum laude - major instrument, clarinet. She also holds degrees from Wesleyan University in Liberal Studies and School Administration. She recently completed a 34-year career in the Middletown Schools, where she taught thousands of students clarinet and other wind instruments.
Kendra Emery - Flute, Clarinet & Saxophone
Kendra Emery is an enthusiastic performer and educator currently residing in Cromwell, CT. She earned her Bachelor's degree in saxophone performance with a minor in French from the University of Arizona. Her MM and GPD in saxophone performance were earned at the University of Hartford Hartt School of Music. She has been teaching private lessons for over 10 years. Kendra has students audition into regional bands every year at the middle and high school level. Her students often audition into, or are selected, for top ensembles at their schools as well. Although she teaches a strong emphasis on music fundamentals she also believes in music being fun and tries to find what sparks each individual student. Kendra believes that not everyone has to be a professional musician, people can simply play for fun! She loves having students of all ages, both children and adults are welcome!
Nancy Tozzo - Woodwinds
Nancy Tozzo (known as “Ms. Toz” by her students) is a retired music teacher from RSD#17, Haddam-Killingworth, where she taught for 35 years. During her senior year in high school, she earned a spot in the CMEA All-State Music Festival Band on trumpet. At Western CT State University she graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in music education. Ms. Tozearned her master’s degree from Wesleyan University’s GLSP program. As a member of Bugles Across America, Nancy currently volunteers to perform “Taps” at military funerals throughout the state when no military bugler is available. During her 35 years of teaching in RSD #17, she encouraged and prepared hundreds of students to audition for the regional music festivals in our state and hosted these festivals four times at Haddam-Killingworth Middle School. Many of her students have gone on to teach music and/or perform professionally. Nancy makes learning the music fundamentals enjoyable in order for students to succeed and she works to find the best motivation for each individual performer. Her motto is, “If you can say it, you can play it!”
Kara Cook - Flute, Clarinet & Saxophone
Kara Cook is a saxophonist and music educator from Long Island, NY. She went to the University of Hartford, the Hartt School and graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor of Music Degree in music education. At the Hartt school, she studied with Carrie Koffman. Kara performed with the Hartt school saxophone ensemble at the 2010 North American Saxophone Alliance conference in West Point, New York. In 2012, she was a part of the clarinet section for the Hartt School Wind Ensemble’s performance of John Corigliano’s “Circus Maximus.” She also performed with her saxophone quartet, Party of 4, at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia at the 2013 International U.S. Navy Band Saxophone Symposium. Currently, Kara plays tenor saxophone in a reggae cover band composed entirely of music educators, called Elm City Sound. Kara is a general music teacher at Haddam-Killingworth Middle School for grades 6 and 7. She also works at three private schools teaching band, grades 4-8, and general music, grades K-4.