Cheryl C
Instruments: Flute, Recorder, Shakuhachi
Styles: Classical, Jazz, New Age
Cheryl C
Instruments: Flute, Recorder, Shakuhachi
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, New Age
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 5-80
Certified in Education (Elementary Education) UCF Orlando, Fla.
Certified Music Practitioner - Therapeutic Musician MHTP School in Clearwater, Fla.
Certified Remo Recreational Music Making Facilitator Remo Training Seminar Orl, Fla.
Certified Kindermusik teacher Kindermusik Int'l Orl, Fla. ages birth - 18 months
2006-2009 Member of the Rollins College Flute Choir
1972-74 member of the Brevard Community College Band
2016 Performer for The Siemens Disability Days support Program
1999 Commissioned to travel to South America to play flute for a tour group of Healing Arts Professionals
2007 - Graduated from the MHTP school for healing & transition as a C.M.P. (Certified Music Practitioner -Therapeutic Musician)
2007 to Present 2019 facilitate bedside therapeutic music for health care & children with special needs
I started playing flute when I found out I couldn't wear it! Really, I started playing when I was 12 years old. I was inspired by my older brother a jazz saxaphonist and multi talented instrumentalist. He introduced me to the flute and now today I'm a passionate and motivated flutist. I love playing the Silver alto flute, Native American Love flute, The quaina and Pan flutes from South America, the Bansuri flute from India and all different types of world flutes.
In 1999, I was commissioned to travel to South America to play flute for a tourist group of health professionals on a journey from Lima, Peru, to Macchu Picchu and down to the Amazon jungle! I have played the flute for over 30 years and came from a performing arts family. Since 2002, I have been a teaching artist with VSA of Fl. (Very Special Arts of Florida) I have been awarded a number of grants to work with Special Needs students in schools, hospitals and other facilities. I was introduced to Live Therapeutic Music for health over 15 years ago and received a partial scholarship to the MHTP school (Music for Healing & Transition School) in Clearwater, Florida. I graduated in 2007 from the MHTP school as a C.M.P. (Certified Music Practitioner - Therapeutic Musician) I hold a B.A. degree from UCF in Orlando, Fla. in Education. I was also hired by Nickelodean Studios in Orlando to play the flute for actress Melissa Joan Hart for one of her shows in her TV series; "Clarissa Explains it All." I discovered a love for my purpose in music, to share and teach the true value of sharing music for community learning, health and creative expression! I love to teach beginners to get them started with positive self esteem, deep breathing and inspired original creativity.
My teaching experience goes back to my high school years when certain younger students would ask me about the flute and how to make a pretty sound. I used to sit on the lawn in high school and improvise a unique flute song. I always resonated with the holistic way of living and teaching. About 20 years ago, I was introduced to a hospital program that embraced "Healing Arts." That is a phrase that means holistic in nature while using the arts for a wellness response. During my work with this program at the bedside, I saw what live music could do for a person's health in the way of improved blood pressure, improved heart rate and less stress. Then I had training with a Music Therapist who taught group drumming for wellness. I found that I discovered a love for the at risk youth who were in school at a treatment center that came to my groups. I ended up teaching some of them the flute as well as facilitating Health Rhythms Empowerment Drumming. Because the youth were at a Behavioral Health part of the hospital, I learned to incorporate mental health strategies using rhythms and music for self expression and stress reduction. Teaching music can really benefit all ages of people providing so many benefits. I always respected the research out there that's available for music and our health. It is in playing the music and not just listening that the "Magic" happens!
When I taught Kindermusik to 18 month old children with their parents, it was fun to see how they could copy a rhythmic phrase with their parent or caregiver, it was so sweet. They could reproduce a complicated pattern using "Bab ba's to bond with their parent. For older children, I like to reinforce with creative games that emphasize musical concepts.I enjoy using Essential Elements by Hal Leonard for Band. It has a CD, with the band in the background , so it makes it fun for a practice session at home. I also learned "Brain Gym" from one of my flute teachers. I always like to incorporate that especially if the student has some confusion or is stuck on an area like a certain rhythmic phrase, or anything hard to unravel, as well as reading music. In addition, I like to use yellow clear gels over the music should the student have a little trouble with eye tracking or staying focused. I also enjoy teaching improvisational creative playing without music, but with scale awareness.
I love to teach students from the beginning how to have good habits such as, breathing from the belly area. Not only practicing this to support a beautiful tone on the flute, but recognizing how developing a supportive breath practice also reduces stress.. It is also a known fact that according to Dr. Frances Rauscher of the University of California Irvine, with her presentation to the American Psychological Association's Convention, that "early music training seems to shape the young brain, strengthening neural connections and perhaps establishing new ones." Great news!!!
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