Flute Lessons in Indianapolis, IN

Instruments: Piano Voice Flute

What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
Piano - Touch of the keys to make the instrument speak - producing different sounds out of the piano by how you touch the keys Flute - how to produce a tension free, open sound across all registers Voice - crossing over your break and being able to sound like the same voice in both chest voice and head voice

Do you use specific teaching methods or books? (Ex: Alfred, Bastion, Suzuki, Hal Leonard) Why did you choose them if you did?
I use many different kinds of method books - often I will start with what the students comes with, if a transfer student, or I put different methods in front of them and see what they are more attracted to. It has to do with 1) age; 2) reading ability; 3) goal of learning the instrument

What does a normal practice session look like for you?
FIRST!!! WARM UP!!! Long tones (for voice and flute), scales, chords, etc. Etudes/lesson type studies Solo work other responsibilities (if you sing in a choir or play in a band for instance) YOUR TIME! (What you enjoy playing/singing)

If you have a Music Degree, what is it in (Performance, Education, Musicology, Theory, Composition, etc) and why did you choose that degree?
My music degrees are the following: Bachelor of Music in Music and Psychology (I chose this degree because I was toying with either going into music or going into a Psychological field) Masters of Arts in Education (I chose this degree because I was moving to New York, and the best education school in the country is there; also - I wanted a career that would allow me to be home when my children were home)

What is your dream piece to perform and why?
Piano - Greig A Minor Piano Concerto - I have loved that piece since hearing it for the first time in 7th grade Flute - The Phoenix Flute Concerto by John Carmichael. Australian composer - and it is just a fabulous piece of music Voice - I am not sure - I get to sing so many different things and get to direct choir - so I get to do all sorts of music that I love!

If you weren't a musician what do you think you'd be doing instead?
I am not sure - I have never NOT been a musician. I guess I would be working with families who had children with life threatening illnesses.

What is your favorite style/genre of music to play and why?
I love Rennaissance Music - that times period is when we first start to see music written out, It is a time of huge development in the musical field - and therefore so much freedom in what was played and how it was played.

If you play more than one instrument, how did you decide to start playing the second? (Or 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc)!
My mother started me on piano when I was 4 - piano is the foundation instrument according to her. She was right - if you know piano, you can transfer the musical language to any other instrument. I started flute in 5th grade with all other band students, however I just took off and really progressed quickly. I took voice lessons in middle school and high school plus choir. I loved to sing as well, and it was another avenue to perform.

Does music run in your family? Tell us a little about your musical family members.
Music does run in my family. Closest is my mother who has a doctorate degree in Piano Performance, retired college professor, composer/arranger, plays by ear, etc. My brother played trombone and my sister sang. My children - my daughter dances, I have a son who played violin and sings, another son has perfect pitch, and one son is now a saxophone player/

When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
I always knew I would be a musician - I sort of spoke the language from very young and have always performed and done music where ever I was - there was never really a decision for me, it was always there.

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