Clarinet Lessons in Minnesota

What clarinet lessons cost across Minnesota, and how to find the right teacher.

Marc Levesque updated 11/13/26 - 17 min read

Clarinet lesson prices across Minnesota
Meet teachers
How clarinet learning works in Minnesota
Auditions and events in Minnesota
Starting at any age
Finding the right teacher
Clarinet in Minnesota
Area by area
A little clarinet history in Minnesota
Frequently Asked Questions

Clarinet lesson prices across Minnesota

A one-hour clarinet lesson in Minnesota typically costs $60 to $95, and a half hour $33 to $52. Most towns sit close to that range. The Minneapolis area runs highest, up to $100 an hour.

Every town has two guides: a clarinet lessons guide, with local schools, events and places to play, and a costs guide, with that town's prices in detail.

Find your town

Town	30 minutes	One hour	Guides
Minneapolis area
Minneapolis	$33–$55	$63–$100	Lessons Costs
St. Paul	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Bloomington	$33–$53	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Brooklyn Park	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Plymouth	$33–$52	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Woodbury	$33–$52	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Lakeville	$33–$52	$60–$95	Lessons Costs
Blaine	$33–$52	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Maple Grove	$33–$52	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Eagan	$33–$52	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Burnsville	$33–$53	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Coon Rapids	$33–$53	$61–$96	Lessons Costs
Eden Prairie	$33–$52	$60–$95	Lessons Costs
Apple Valley	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Edina	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Minnetonka	$33–$52	$60–$95	Lessons Costs
St. Louis Park	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Shakopee	$33–$52	$60–$95	Lessons Costs
Cottage Grove	$33–$51	$60–$94	Lessons Costs
Maplewood	$33–$52	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Richfield	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Inver Grove Heights	$33–$51	$60–$94	Lessons Costs
Roseville	$33–$53	$61–$96	Lessons Costs
Andover	$33–$51	$60–$93	Lessons Costs
Savage	$33–$52	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Brooklyn Center	$33–$53	$61–$98	Lessons Costs
Fridley	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Chaska	$33–$52	$60–$95	Lessons Costs
Oakdale	$33–$53	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Ramsey	$33–$51	$60–$93	Lessons Costs
Prior Lake	$33–$52	$60–$95	Lessons Costs
Rosemount	$32–$51	$60–$93	Lessons Costs
Elk River	$32–$50	$59–$92	Lessons Costs
Shoreview	$33–$53	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Chanhassen	$33–$51	$60–$94	Lessons Costs
White Bear Lake	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Farmington	$33–$52	$60–$95	Lessons Costs
Champlin	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
New Brighton	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Crystal	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Otsego	$32–$50	$59–$92	Lessons Costs
Columbia Heights	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Hastings	$33–$52	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Lino Lakes	$32–$51	$60–$93	Lessons Costs
Golden Valley	$33–$52	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
West St. Paul	$33–$53	$61–$98	Lessons Costs
New Hope	$33–$53	$61–$98	Lessons Costs
Forest Lake	$32–$50	$59–$92	Lessons Costs
South St. Paul	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
St. Michael	$32–$50	$59–$92	Lessons Costs
Stillwater	$33–$52	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Hopkins	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Anoka	$33–$53	$61–$96	Lessons Costs
Ham Lake	$32–$50	$59–$91	Lessons Costs
Buffalo	$33–$52	$60–$95	Lessons Costs
Hugo	$32–$50	$59–$91	Lessons Costs
Monticello	$33–$52	$60–$95	Lessons Costs
Robbinsdale	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Rogers	$32–$50	$59–$91	Lessons Costs
Waconia	$33–$52	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Lake Elmo	$32–$50	$59–$92	Lessons Costs
Mounds View	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Vadnais Heights	$33–$52	$60–$95	Lessons Costs
North St. Paul	$33–$53	$61–$98	Lessons Costs
Big Lake	$33–$52	$60–$95	Lessons Costs
East Bethel	$32–$49	$59–$89	Lessons Costs
Mendota Heights	$33–$51	$60–$94	Lessons Costs
North Branch	$32–$49	$59–$90	Lessons Costs
Victoria	$33–$51	$60–$94	Lessons Costs
Little Canada	$33–$53	$61–$96	Lessons Costs
St. Cloud area
St. Cloud	$31–$43	$56–$78	Lessons Costs
Sartell	$31–$43	$56–$78	Lessons Costs
Sauk Rapids	$31–$43	$56–$78	Lessons Costs
Duluth area
Duluth	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Hibbing	$31–$43	$56–$78	Lessons Costs
Cloquet	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Mankato area
Mankato	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
North Mankato	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
St. Peter	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Faribault area
Faribault	$32–$47	$58–$86	Lessons Costs
Northfield	$32–$47	$59–$87	Lessons Costs
Other Minnesota towns
Albert Lea	$32–$47	$59–$86	Lessons Costs
Alexandria	$32–$49	$59–$89	Lessons Costs
Austin	$32–$48	$59–$87	Lessons Costs
Bemidji	$32–$50	$59–$92	Lessons Costs
Brainerd	$32–$49	$59–$90	Lessons Costs
Fergus Falls	$32–$50	$59–$91	Lessons Costs
Grand Rapids	$32–$49	$59–$90	Lessons Costs
Hutchinson	$32–$47	$58–$86	Lessons Costs
Marshall	$33–$51	$60–$93	Lessons Costs
Moorhead	$31–$44	$58–$81	Lessons Costs
New Ulm	$32–$47	$58–$85	Lessons Costs
Owatonna	$32–$47	$58–$86	Lessons Costs
Red Wing	$32–$45	$58–$82	Lessons Costs
Rochester	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Willmar	$32–$47	$58–$86	Lessons Costs
Winona	$32–$48	$59–$88	Lessons Costs
Worthington	$33–$51	$60–$94	Lessons Costs

Meet a Clarinet Teacher in Minnesota Before You Continue Weekly

The free first lesson is a low-pressure way to meet the teacher, experience live online clarinet instruction, and decide whether weekly lessons feel right for you or your child in Minnesota.

One teacher, one student, one personalized plan
Live weekly lessons from home with no commute
Build tone, reading, reed confidence, and school-band skills
Choose 30, 45, or 60 minutes after the free lesson

60+ Instructors

70,000+ Lessons taught

4.9/5 Average lesson rating

Find Your Next Clarinet Teacher in Minnesota

Browse clarinet teachers, compare fit and availability, and start with a free trial before choosing weekly lessons in Minnesota.

Instrument

Day & Time

Student Age

Student Skill Level

1 clarinet instructor available in the next 5 days

Canon Cochran

Bachelor’s in ClarinetPatient & ThoroughWarm & EncouragingGreat with All Ages

Levels: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced Ages: Kids, Teens, Adults

✅ Background Checked💬 Speaks: English🏆 Experience: 4 yrs of teaching💻 Lesson Format: Online in Minnesota via Zoom

Available:SMTWTFSMorningAfternoonEvening

$0 ~~$35~~ /30 minute trial

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How clarinet learning works in Minnesota

How does clarinet fit school music in Minnesota?

Minnesota school band is the main school route for clarinet, and many districts introduce it in fifth or sixth grade. Minneapolis Public School District has band in some elementary schools for fifth graders, while Saint Paul Public Schools, District 625, starts band at Capitol Hill in fifth grade; Anoka-Hennepin Public School District offers Beginning Band in middle school. Because elementary music is not required to be one of the arts areas students study, school offerings differ, so check when your district begins band and what it provides.

When school music starts in Minnesota districts

Minneapolis Public School DistrictBand5

Saint Paul Public Schools, District 625Band5

Osseo Area SchoolsBand5

Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Independent School District 196Beginning band5

North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District 622Beginning band6

Eden Prairie Public School DistrictBeginning band5

Mounds View Public SchoolsBand5

Edina Public SchoolsBand5

Who runs what for Minnesota clarinetists?

Minnesota has several distinct routes to recognition: the Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA) runs the high school All-State Band audition, while the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) oversees high school solo, small-ensemble and large-ensemble contests through regional events. The Minnesota Music Teachers Association (MMTA) also offers a Voice and Instrumental Contest for clarinet students, and the Minnesota Band Directors Association (MBDA) runs state Honor Bands for grades 6–8 and 9–10. Knowing which route matches your goal helps you plan with your school band director or private teacher.

Who runs what in Minnesota

Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL)

Runs: Runs high school solo, small-ensemble and large-ensemble music contests.
For: Minnesota high school students.

Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA)

Runs: Runs All-State Band auditions and ensembles.
For: Eligible high school students auditioning through a sponsoring teacher.

Minnesota Music Teachers Association (MMTA)

Runs: Offers student contests, examinations and a Voice and Instrumental Contest.
For: Students of member teachers or nonmembers paying an additional entry fee.

Minnesota Band Directors Association (MBDA)

Runs: Runs state Honor Bands for grades 6–8 and 9–10.
For: Students in grades 6–10.

Auditions and events in Minnesota

How does a clarinetist reach Minnesota's top student honors?

For Minnesota clarinetists seeking a statewide solo honor, the Minnesota Music Teachers Association (MMTA) Voice and Instrumental Contest offers judged solo recognition, with first-place winners invited to a Finale Concert. The clearest route to an All-State honor is the Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA) All-State Band. Students in grades 10 or 11 submit a recorded audition through the MMEA platform, which opens January 1, 2027, and closes at noon March 2. Selected players attend camp July 27–31 in Moorhead and perform in February 2028. The high school Solo & Ensemble Contest follows a different path: regional contests lead through subsection and section adjudication, with dates set by each region.

The clarinet route in Minnesota, step by step

MMEA All-State auditionThe recording window opens January 1 and closes at noon March 2, 2027.
All-State campSelected band members attend camp July 27–31, 2027, in Moorhead.
February performanceAll-State students perform in February 2028.
MSHSL music contestsHigh school solo and small ensembles move through regional, subsection and section adjudication on calendars set by each region.

The Minnesota clarinet year

AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJul

MFMC State Student AuditionsEntry fee: $25 per categoryStart the piece Jul to Oct

Start the piece Jul to OctJan 25

Young Artist CompetitionRochester Chamber Music SocietyStart the piece Oct to Jan

Start the piece Oct to JanApr 10

Working on the event piece, 3 to 6 monthsEvent

What do auditions ask you to prepare?

For the 2027 Minnesota All-State Band audition, a clarinetist records the full woodwind scale page in one continuous take and the complete assigned etude, Clarinet 3C using ending A. These are substantial pieces of preparation because the scale recording must hold together from beginning to end, while the etude needs both accuracy and musical control. In weekly lessons, three to six months is a useful preparation window for an event piece, giving you or your child time to learn notes, steady the technique and make a confident recording.

Homeschool and private school students

Minnesota resident homeschool students may take part in extracurricular activities through their resident district on the same basis as public school students. To audition for MMEA All-State, a homeschool clarinetist must join the corresponding secondary school ensemble through shared-time participation and meet the ensemble's standing requirements. This gives a student learning at home a route into school music and the All-State audition.

Starting at any age

Starting a child on clarinet

Clarinet often suits a child around the time school band begins, commonly fifth or sixth grade in Minnesota, when the student can manage the instrument and follow a regular practice routine. Starting earlier with a private teacher gives your child time to learn steady air, a clear tone and basic music reading before the first band rehearsals. That foundation also helps a young player keep progressing alongside school music, where the pace and support depend on the district.

A teen in Minnesota

A teen clarinetist can build toward Minnesota's All-State Band or school solo and ensemble contests while continuing in school band. The All-State audition is for students in grades 10 or 11, and selected players must remain in good standing in a secondary school band through the following February performance. Weekly lessons give you or your child a steady place to work toward school and audition goals, with room to adjust around rehearsals and the school calendar.

Starting or coming back as an adult

Adults in Minnesota have welcoming places to play clarinet with other musicians. The Bemidji Area Community Band welcomes players of every skill level for summer concerts in Bemidji, while the Roseville Community Band is open to adult musicians without an audition. In Circle Pines, the Centennial Community Band is primarily non-auditioned and invites musicians returning to a symphonic ensemble. It is not too late to start or begin again; a dedicated teacher meets you where you are and helps you build toward playing with others.

Finding the right teacher

What should a good clarinet teacher do?

A good clarinet teacher listens closely to tone, breath support and how comfortably you or your child handles the instrument, then sets work that fits the student's age, goals and personality. For Minnesota students headed toward band auditions, that guidance can connect everyday technique with the demands of a judged recording, while a returning adult may need a different pace and repertoire. Every Lesson With You teacher holds at least a bachelor's degree in clarinet, but training matters most when the teacher's way of explaining also fits the learner. You can choose a teacher yourself or ask us to recommend one.

How do live online clarinet lessons work?

In a live Zoom clarinet lesson, your teacher hears your tone and articulation in real time and watches your embouchure, posture and finger movement, then gives feedback as you play. A stable device, a quiet room and enough space to hold the clarinet comfortably are the essentials at home. Online lessons remove the commute and let you choose a teacher who fits, rather than limiting the choice to whoever is closest. A student in Minneapolis and a student in Bemidji get the same choice of teacher and the same one-on-one weekly lesson, so the routine is easier to keep through the school year.

What $35 a week gets you at Lesson With You

A teacher with a degree in clarinetEvery Lesson With You clarinet teacher holds at least a bachelor's degree in clarinet.

CanonBachelor’s in Clarinet

Meet the teachers below

The same teacher every weekLive, one-on-one lessons with one teacher who knows your goals.

Practice goals every weekEach lesson ends with what to practice before the next one.

Switch or pause anytimeSwitch teachers at no cost, or pause with 24 hours' notice. There's no term to sign up for.

Clarinet in Minnesota

Where to hear clarinet

Clarinetists can hear wind and jazz playing in several parts of Minnesota. In Minneapolis, the University of Minnesota's 2027 Jazz Festival ends with a free public concert by its Jazz Ensembles, while Bloomington's Normandale Community College includes free Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble performances in its 2026–27 season. In Saint Paul, Hamline University's free public concert series includes a Wind Ensemble performance in December 2026. These concerts let you or your child hear how clarinet fits into a larger ensemble sound.

Where to play with others

For younger players, Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies has clarinet openings in its Sinfonia East and West and Concertino East and West orchestras; second-semester audition videos are due December 1, 2026. Adults can play in the Bemidji Area Community Band's summer concert band in Bemidji, while the Central Minnesota Community Orchestra brings adult musicians from towns including St. Cloud, Sauk Rapids and Little Falls together for fall and spring performances. These groups give clarinetists options ranging from youth orchestral playing to community music.

Clarinet around Minnesota, area by area

Minneapolis area

In the Twin Cities, Minnesota Youth Symphonies offers Wind Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra for young musicians, while Rock U's Minneapolis band program gives students another ensemble route. For listening, students of all ages can reserve free tickets to eligible Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra concerts beginning two weeks before a performance. Young people 20 and under can also use Minnesota Opera's $10 youth rush tickets on performance day, starting 90 minutes before curtain.

School year: Sep 8 to Jun 11, 37 lesson weeks (Minneapolis Public School District)
Town guides: Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Plymouth, Woodbury, Lakeville, Blaine

Duluth area

Duluth Superior Symphony Youth Orchestras accepts clarinetists and other woodwind players in its auditioned Concert Orchestra and Youth Symphony. To hear professional playing, the Lake Superior Chamber Orchestra offers reduced tickets for children and college students, with children 12 and under admitted for $5. Duluth's Music in the Park brings free Tuesday concerts to summer evenings, giving families a relaxed way to hear live music together.

School year: Sep 8 to Jun 10, 39 lesson weeks (Duluth Public Schools)
Town guides: Duluth, Superior, Hibbing, Cloquet

Rochester area

Rochester Symphony Kids presents Peter and the Wolf at Dakota Middle School, while the Riverside Music Series brings five free Sunday-evening concerts to Mayo Park in summer 2027. These concerts give Rochester families accessible ways to hear live music together. A clarinet student can also hear how a solo story and a community concert differ from the sound of a school band.

Town guides: Rochester

Mankato area

In Mankato, the Mankato Area Community Band has no audition, so clarinetists can join a community ensemble without first passing a tryout. The Serendipity Music Series offers free midweek midday performances for the area, and Symphony on the Prairie in North Mankato is a free-will-donation concert. That combination gives families a place to hear music and a welcoming local route to playing with others.

School year: Sep 8 to Jun 10, 39 lesson weeks (Mankato Area Public Schools)
Town guides: Mankato, North Mankato, St. Peter

Faribault area

Northfield has two community bands with no audition requirement: FiftyNorth Band and Northfield Community Summer Band. For listening, Faribault's free Concerts in the Park run on Thursdays from mid-June to mid-August at the Historic Central Park Band Shell. Northfield families can also attend St. Olaf Music Department events on campus, which are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.

Town guides: Faribault, Northfield

Owatonna area

Owatonna's Downtown Thursdays feature free live music on the first Thursday of each month from June through September, an easy seasonal outing for a family listening together. For a clarinetist, live outdoor music is a chance to hear how woodwinds fit into a larger group sound. Families can make a summer concert part of their listening routine.

School year: Aug 31 to Jun 4, 38 lesson weeks (Owatonna Public Schools)
Town guides: Owatonna

A little clarinet history in Minnesota

Minnesota's clarinet life includes both student performance opportunities and professional concert work. In St. Cloud, the Symphony's Young Performers Competition includes school-age woodwind entries in grades 7–12 and college-age woodwind entries, with the grand prize winner performing with the orchestra. In the Twin Cities, clarinetist Sang Yoon Kim is principal clarinet of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. For a student, these examples show clarinet as both a band instrument and a voice in chamber and orchestral music.

Start Clarinet Lessons With a Free Trial

One teacher, one student, one personalized plan
Live weekly lessons from home with no commute
Build tone, reading, reed confidence, and school-band skills
Choose 30, 45, or 60 minutes after the free lesson

60+ Instructors

70,000+ Lessons taught

4.9/5 Average lesson rating

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find a good clarinet teacher in Minnesota?

Choose a teacher who listens to your goals and gives clear, useful feedback on tone, breath and technique. Lesson With You offers one-on-one weekly Zoom lessons with a dedicated teacher, and you can choose one yourself or ask us to recommend a fit.

Do live video clarinet lessons really work?

Yes, a teacher can hear your sound and watch your embouchure, posture and fingers live, then respond as you play. Zoom lessons also remove the commute and give you access to a teacher who fits, wherever you are in Minnesota.

When do Minnesota schools start teaching clarinet?

Many Minnesota districts offer band in fifth or sixth grade, which is when clarinet usually enters school music. Minneapolis Public School District has band in some elementary schools for fifth graders, while North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District 622 begins band in sixth grade.

How does a clarinetist reach Minnesota's top student honors?

For All-State Band, an eligible student in grade 10 or 11 submits a recorded audition through MMEA and remains in good standing in a secondary school band through the February performance. High school players can also enter MSHSL solo and ensemble contests, which advance through regional, subsection and section adjudication.

Can homeschool students enter Minnesota music contests?

Yes, Minnesota resident homeschool students may take part in their resident district's extracurricular activities on the same basis as public school students. For MMEA All-State, a homeschooled clarinetist must join the corresponding secondary school ensemble through shared-time participation and meet its standing requirements.

What age should a child start clarinet lessons?

Many children begin around fifth grade, when Minnesota school band commonly starts, though readiness depends on the child's ability to manage the instrument and follow regular practice. Private lessons before or alongside band can build breath control, tone and music reading at a pace that suits your child.

Is it too late to learn clarinet as an adult in Minnesota?

No, adults can start or return to clarinet at any age, and a teacher can meet you at your current level. The Bemidji Area Community Band welcomes musicians of every skill level, and the Roseville Community Band is open to adult musicians without an audition.

How much are clarinet lessons in Minnesota?

Clarinet lessons in Minnesota typically cost about $71 an hour, or $33 to $52 for a half hour. Lesson With You charges per lesson with no term to sign up for, and the first lesson is free.

Clarinet lesson prices across Minnesota

Meet a Clarinet Teacher in Minnesota Before You Continue Weekly

Find Your Next Clarinet Teacher in Minnesota

Canon Cochran

How clarinet learning works in Minnesota

How does clarinet fit school music in Minnesota?

Who runs what for Minnesota clarinetists?

Auditions and events in Minnesota

How does a clarinetist reach Minnesota's top student honors?

What do auditions ask you to prepare?

Homeschool and private school students

Starting at any age

Starting a child on clarinet

A teen in Minnesota

Starting or coming back as an adult

Finding the right teacher

What should a good clarinet teacher do?

How do live online clarinet lessons work?

Clarinet in Minnesota

Where to hear clarinet

Where to play with others

Clarinet around Minnesota, area by area

Minneapolis area

Duluth area

Rochester area

Mankato area

Faribault area

Owatonna area

A little clarinet history in Minnesota

Start Clarinet Lessons With a Free Trial

More for Minnesota

Frequently Asked Questions