In each of my roles, I strive to inspire awareness, curiosity and growth in all members of our community, so that they may live their most dynamic lives.

As a musical artist, my performance history spans nearly two decades with many notable symphonies, orchestras and chamber music ensembles throughout the United States.

I am currently an extra musician with the Phoenix Symphony and Arizona Opera, and I am a member of the Phoenix-based chamber music ensemble Urban Nocturnes. Each summer, I perform with the world-class Carmel Bach Festival, where I was principal clarinetist in 2012 and 2017.

In addition to my musical life, I am a guild certified Feldenkrais Instructor with over 20 years experience.

I discovered the The Feldenkrais Method® in 2004, when I was struggling with a painful jaw disorder and general tension that threatened to compromise my music performance career.

The practice taught me to work through my limitations by learning awareness of my movements – and altering them accordingly – to bring about lasting, pain-free change in my body and mind.

This revelatory experience propelled me to become a Feldenkrais Instructor myself, so that I could help others increase their own somatic understanding of themselves to live their fullest lives.

You can hear me discuss Feldenkrais, music and learning on the following podcasts and articles!

• ICA ClarinetCast: ICA Health and Wellness Committee Presents An Interview with Erin Finkelstein https://youtu.be/sv8E9AgRowk

• Finding elements of freedom in music performance and education through Feldenkrais https://soundcloud.com/user-633088243/erin-finding-elements-of-freedom-in-music-performance-and-education-through-feldenkrais

• Feldenkrais and TMJ with Thomas Kurtz: https://youtu.be/C3hhGLJU1DA

• All That Jazz with Matjaz Kulovic: https://youtu.be/wpF15w2zEnI

• Voyage Phoenix Magazine Interview

• Inside Willo, pg. 30

• SenseAbility Newsletter

• My blog!

Education

• Bachelors of Music in Clarinet at the University of the Pacific – Studied with Dr. Patricia Shands on clarinet and Dr. Frank Wiens on piano

• Masters of Music in Clarinet at Arizona State University – Studied with Dr. Robert Spring

• Clarinet Studies with David Krakauer at the Mannes College of Music in New York City

• Feldenkrais Training Program with Russell and Linda Delman

Notable PerformanCE

• Professional orchestras and opera companies throughout California, including Sacramento, Stockton, Modesto, Fresno, Monterey and Santa Cruz

• Summer Festivals, including the National Orchestral Institute in Maryland, Domaine Forget Festival in Quebec, the Bear Valley Festival in California

• The Pacific Arts Woodwind Quintet at University of the Pacific

• Urban Nocturnes

• The Phoenix Symphony

• Arizona Opera

• Carmel Bach Festival

Teaching Experience

• Adjunct Music and Feldenkrais Instructor at Glendale Community College and Phoenix College

• Clarinet Instructor at California State University, Stanislaus and Phoenix College

• Guest Lecturer of Clarinet & Chamber Music at the University of the Pacific Conservatory of Music

• Clarinet Master Class Instructor at numerous public and private schools on the West Coast

• Youth Symphony Instructor at Sacramento Youth Symphony, Napa Valley Youth Symphony and Davis High School Symphony

• Music Camp Instructor at the Stanislaus Chamber Music Camp, University of the Pacific Music Camp and the Mill Ave Chamber Players Chamber Music Camp

• Feldenkrais Instructor at Phoenix College, University of the Pacific, Arizona State University and University of California, Davis and countless university presentations online.

• Sound Music Services, owner