Flute Lessons in Catharpin, VA

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

My teaching style varies for each student's individual needs. For beginner students I often try the easiest way for the student to enjoy the lesson while also giving the most value in their time. It is my desire to show every student that they have what is capable of making great music, now. Creating a supportive environment for the student to explore their instrument in all ways and gain the understanding that everything they do on their instrument is an opportunity to learn and grow is of utmost importance to me. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet Bassoon

Although it is my responsibility to teach fundamentals of playing the instrument and reading music correctly, I spend as much time as I can on not becoming enslaved to the printed page. In other words, once a student begins to play at a higher level, I introduce how to express oneself and the music in an aesthetically satisfying manner. Breaking down the barriers caused by musical notation and enabling an individual to express themselves musically and with proper phrasing and sensitivity is my primary goal. Read More

Instruments: Flute Piccolo Music

I use a combination of methods tailored to a student's needs and goals. With very young students, I use play to focus on movement and musical thinking. With young students who are reading or starting to read, I usually use a combination of the Suzuki method and traditional French methods like Moyse, focusing on singing, memory, and tunefulness while allowing students to self-direct the learning of reading sheet music. With teen and adult beginners, I focus a bit more on literacy and rhythm while providing a combination of quickly learned progressive pieces and long-term projects. Read More

Instruments: Flute

I am a lover of sharing music with students and fellow musicians. I have been playing for more than 30 years and have been teaching flute either privately or as adjunct faculty for over 15 years. I studied flute at a performing arts high school and at Arkansas State under Joe Bonner. I currently am keeping my hand in orchestral performance in the NIH Community Orchestra on bassoon and am also performing as a flute soloist at different venues. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Saxophone Flute Clarinet

A typical lesson with me will be structured like this:Emphasis on basics (scales, studies, tuning, etc)Sight Reading and Ear TrainingLearning techniques through pieces I am always aiming for technical building through the process of working through real music in order to keep lessons fun and engaging. I typically start beginning students with Essential Elements and work through the basics with that approach. Read More

Instruments: Flute Piccolo

I have experience teaching flute and piccolo students ages 6-60, from brand new beginners to advanced high school students and beyond. I have worked with students in a variety of settings, from one on one private lessons, small group sessions, to flute sectional coaching. My primary goal is always for lessons to be a fun and positive experience at any level. While I emphasize technique and fundamentals at all levels because I believe these are essential to develop the skill required learning any instrument, I always like to end lessons with a skill appropriate duet, because the best part of music making is being able to create and share it with others. Read More