Michelle K
5.0
(3)
Instruments: Flute, Music
Styles: Classical, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Gospel, Musical Theater, Opera, Showtunes, Spirituals, Swing, Marching Band
Michelle K
5.0
(3)
Instruments: Flute, Music
Styles:
Classical, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Gospel, Musical Theater, Opera, Showtunes, Spirituals, Swing, Marching Band
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 10-80
Passionate about music and flute since a young child, I have over 20 years of experience in solo performance, orchestral and ensemble work. I began my musical career in the 4th grade when first introduced to the flute and after graduating from high school in 2006, I attended Berklee College of Music in Boston MA, where I studied flute performance under Wendy Rolfe. Prior to Berklee, I was classically trained under Heather Kent and renowned flutist Gary Schocker, both at his masterclasses in upper state NY and privately when he traveled to the Boston area. Throughout my youth, I played in many ensembles in the Boston area and Northshore, including baroque ensembles with the New England Conservatory of Music and orchestral ensembles with the Northshore Youth Symphony Orchestra. In 2010 I sat as 2nd flute in the Lowell Philharmonic until I moved to New Hampshire in 2013. Since moving to NH, I have been performing with the Strafford Wind Symphony, frequently play in the Harvard Music Association's Reading Orchestra, Perform at Weddings and teach privately from my home studio. I also continue to attend masterclasses with Gary Schocker to stay current and teach new techniques that improve ease of flute playing.
I began teaching privately in 2013 after moving to New Hampshire and noticing a need for private music instructors in my community and surrounding towns. Keeping the performing arts active and alive in my community has always been important to me. I strive to encourage creativity and to help my students flourish by nurturing their musical gift with proven teaching techniques. My teaching model is that of the traditional lesson structure, where I dedicate the first 15 minutes of an hour to learning warm up techniques, scales and music theory. I then focus on an etude to further develop the flute playing techniques needed to play an involved piece of music. The final 30 minutes are spent working on whatever piece of music my student has selected. I often let my student's choose the music they feel most connected to and excited about however, I will also choose pieces for them to ensure they learn what are considered the "flute standards" in repertoire. The traditional lesson style helps to maintain structure within a lesson time frame but I am also flexible and will deviate to focus on areas my students may need extra time on.
The methods I typically use vary depending on the level of my students. For beginners, I like to use the Rubank elementary method for flute and a beginners music theory book of their choice. I will also let them choose their own beginner flute solo book and help them work on band music if they are in the school band. Once my students progress to an intermediate and/or advanced level, I utilize more advanced methods such as Taffanel and Gaubert grand exercises and complete method for flute, Marcel Moyse De La Sonorite, Ernesto Kohler etudes, The Modern flutist Etudes and Caprices, and will start to introduce the "flute standards" repertoire. At every level of playing, I also introduce my students to mind body awareness through the Alexander Technique. This technique is famed for bringing awareness to your body while playing and ways to correct any tension that can have adverse effects on ones playing. From tonal quality and sound, mechanical technique, breathing, intonation etc. Nearly every aspect of playing an instrument becomes easier when you learn how to use your body correctly from the start.
Although my lessons are very structured, I like to create a casual atmosphere where students feel safe and comfortable. When you enter my studio for a lesson you are entering a judgement free zone and I often begin lessons with a cheery welcome, ask how school/work is going, if they have any fun activities planned for holidays or summer vacation etc. I find this is the best approach to building confidence, trust and to harbor a positive student-teacher relationship conducive for learning. I want all of my students to look forward to their lessons rather than dread them!
Gail Allard
Michelle is a fine flute teacher. She is knowledgeable, accomplished in her own performance, passionate about the craft of playing, and flexible in accommodating the non-traditional student. As an adult student with previous performance experience, I especially appreciate her willingness and ability to fine tune my current level of performance and keep me on my toes with new material and techniques. I strongly recommend Michelle as a flute teacher for any level of learner.
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