Clarinet, Feldenkrais, Somatic Education-Basic Movement, Comfort & Technique for Musicians

Colin Mehmel is active in the Winnipeg area as a musician, teacher, clinician, and movement educator, specializing in the Feldenkrais© Method. His clarinet teachers included Dr. Caroline Hartig and Naoum Gomon. Colin has performed with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, the Clear Lake Chamber Music Festival, has been a soloist with the Mennonite Community Orchestra, a guest artist at Brandon University’s Clarinet Festival, and is currently principal clarinet of the Winnipeg Wind Ensemble.

An avid scholar, Colin has done comparative research in clarinet pedagogy, has lectured at the Tempo conference for music educators, and actively applies his Feldenkrais training to his ongoing research and teaching.  He uses his knowledge of movement and somatic education to provide students with insights into themselves as artists, and to enable them to master various technical challenges on the clarinet. In addition to teaching at the MCMA, Colin has taught at the International Music Camp as well as at many schools across Manitoba.

What is your education and experience?

Bachelor of Music Performance, University of Manitoba; Master’s in Music Performance, Michigan State University.

What inspired you to study music?

In high school I was trying to imagine my life after graduation and what my career would be. I enjoyed physics, photography and music, but when I tried to imagine my life without music I felt the saddest, so I choose to become a musician!

How are your lessons unique?

I love helping people solve puzzles. I teach people by taking a difficulty and disassembling it. The student learns to make each component simpler, and when they’re ready to put it all back together, its now easier and more enjoyable to do. I like to teach students to become better learners!I love teaching and helping my students succeed. Every lesson is customized for each student depending on their goals and present challenges.

What do you love about teaching?

I love helping people to achieve the potential they’re excited to realize. Helping somebody discover a new, more interesting, and more fun way of doing something is very fulfilling.