Flute Lessons in San Jose, CA

Instruments: Flute Piccolo Music

What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
Effective practice is a skill! It definitely doesn't come overnight, and it is far more difficult for some students than others. For me, the most important thing is to pace myself. Some students will be having so much fun while practicing that they don't stop for hours, then they're exhausted and may not practice for days! For effective practice, consistency is KEY. Practicing for modest amounts of time each day, and taking too many "break days"! For younger students, I highly recommend a sticker practice chart. Having this kind of visual representation of the goal can be rewarding for both parents and students! Decide on an amount of time that your student should aim to practice each week (maybe 3-4 hours for a middle school student), and keep track throughout the week with stickers. At the end of the week, if your student has reached the goal, give them congratulations for reaching their goal or buy them celebratory ice cream!

How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
Every child is different, so I would not recommend starting a child once they reach a specific age. Instead, I would observe how they behave during their individual practice sessions and ask myself the following questions: 1) Does my child practice "just for fun"? 2) Would it be useful for my student to have a mentor who can help guide their practicing? 3) Is my child eager to ask questions about the instrument and the music they are learning? If those are all yes answers, then I would say your child is definitely ready for lessons! As a teacher, what I look for in a student is excitement for learning and a curious mind! If you're concerned about your student not having the discipline or the focus necessary for lessons, consider starting with 30 minute lessons and working up to longer sessions as the teacher advises.

If you have a Music Degree, what is it in (Performance, Education, Musicology, Theory, Composition, etc) and why did you choose that degree?
I have two degrees in flute performance. I have my Bachelors of Music from the University of North Texas, and my Masters of Music from Stony Brook University. I decided to get my degrees in performance because I love the flute, and because I had a light bulb moment when I thought, "I can't see myself in an office all day not because I'm not smart enough or incapable, but because I want to be playing my flute instead!" Since I started playing the flute, I have always loved learning new music, meeting other musicians, and playing with other musicians. There isn't any experience quite like sitting in an orchestra or playing a solo recital. It is nerve-wracking, but more thrilling and inspiring.

If you weren't a musician what do you think you'd be doing instead?
If I were not a musician, I would probably be an event planner! I love to plan parties and I love bringing people together to celebrate happy times. Throughout my life, I have been organized, detail-oriented, and a perfectionist. All of these qualities are also great in a classical musician, but they would be equally helpful for someone who coordinates with vendors and venues. But again, music is what I really love to do, and I am fortunate to have had the support of my family to go after my dreams!

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