*due to COVID-19, I am now offering Zoom lessons with very flexible scheduling!
Having several years of experience presenting master classes and clinics at the elementary, middle and high school levels plus three years of private teaching, I believe that the best way to encourage young flutists to work towards a goal while still enjoying the instrument is to give them realistic expectations and creative ways to reach them. Each student is evaluated in their first lesson regarding the level they are currently at and what their short and long-term goals are. After that, a curriculum including daily technique and tone exercises plus repertoire assignments is compiled according to their individual needs.
First and foremost, I believe that the core of good flute playing is a solid technique and beautiful tone. That is why I place such an emphasis is placed on daily scales and longtones practice to stay in shape and develop skills necessary to tackle repertoire later on. Weekly etudes are given to more advanced students to develop skills and sightreading and as an exercise in being able to learn music quickly. While I am relatively demanding, I do not believe that being hard on a student for not doing well on one particular element is productive. Instead, I approach mistakes with the attitude of "How interesting! Let's figure out why that happened and see if we can find ways of breaking it down so that it doesn't happen again". That way, the student is able to accept that mistakes do happen and that they're only a part of the learning process and nothing to be ashamed of. As I have figured out in my own playing; as long as you are willing to put in the work, everything will work itself out just fine.
Several former students have gone on to earn highest honors at District, Region and State Solo festivals, and have played with county and State honor bands several years in a row.
I currently teach privately at the rate of $40 per 60 minute lesson, and can either travel to the student’s home or give the lesson in one of the practice rooms in BGSU’s music building.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.