Bellingham Clarinet Flute Saxophone Lessons

Bellingham Flute, Clarinet, and Saxophone Teacher

David Bissell

(click here for availability)

Instruments 

  • Clarinet 

  • Flute 

  • Saxophone 

Services 

  • Clarinet (beginner to advanced) 

  • Flute (beginner to intermediate) 

  • Saxophone (beginner to advanced) 

  • Improvisation (beginner to intermediate) 

  • Music Theory/Ear Training 

Bio 

David Bissell is a Panamanian-American clarinetist and woodwind specialist whose interests span the avant-garde, orchestral, chamber, pop, theater, and jazz styles. A Kirkland, WA native, he has been teaching in the Pacific Northwest for nearly 10 years, settling in Bellingham where he holds the bass clarinet chair with the Bellingham Symphony Orchestra. He is currently completing his K-12 teaching certificate to fulfil his lifelong dream of teaching band and orchestra. His teaching approach, shaped by his own experience and background, emphasizes body awareness, literacy, and accessibility. 

David has appeared with the Bellevue City Opera, Seattle Symphony’s Tiny Tots Concert Series, Philharmonia Northwest, Theater Arts Guild, the Northwest Mahler Festival, and as soloist with the Western Washington University Symphony Orchestra. In addition to his orchestral engagements, he is an avid chamber musician, performing alongside local and international artists in the premieres of new works in collaboration with Seattle Art Museum, New Works for Percussion, Ballet Bellevue, and many more. His mentors include Jennifer Nelson, principal clarinet with the Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra, and Jeff Kashiwa, of The Rippingtons and founder of The Sax Pack.  

Beyond music, David enjoys a variety of interests. In his free time, you can find him honing his baking skills, collecting Pokémon, and indulging in Star Trek marathons. 

Influences 

David's influences draw from an eclectic group of artists. Clarinetists Anthony McGill, Sabine Meyer, and Ricardo Morales shape his classical approach, while improvisers like Eric Dolphy and Lori Freedman inspire his creativity. Some of his other influences come from composers and artists like Roque Cordero, Jennifer Higdon, David Maslanka, Caroline Shaw, Aaron Copland, Julie Giroux, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Karolina Strassmayer, Otis Murphy, Moon Hooch, and Jasmine Choi.