Providing flute instruction for all ages and all levels– toddler to adult, Suzuki or traditional, beginner through advanced.
The Flute Studio is a complete musical experience designed to provide flute lessons along with supplemental opportunities to help each student fully develop their musicianship skills. Students of The Flute Studio enjoy opportunities beyond those offered in typical private lessons.
These enrichment opportunities include:
- studio recitals
- ensemble performances
- group lessons
- ensemble rehearsals
- field trips (symphony concerts, flute recitals, flute festivals, etc.)
- audition preparation for chair placement, all-county band, all-state band, youth orchestra
- music theory and music history as they relate to pieces studied in lessons
- practice routines and techniques that work
- performance and audience etiquette
- leadership and teamwork skills developed through ensemble and chamber music playing
Students of all ages and ability levels are admitted to The Flute Studio. Former students have ranged in age from 4 years to 81 and varied in ability from no prior experience to collegiate level players.
The Flute Studio fully embraces and implements the Suzuki Flute Method (see below) as developed by Toshio Takahashi.
Teaching Philosophy
Flute lessons are fun and musically rewarding. I believe every student can learn to play at a very high level of performance. Therefore, I hold students to high standard and expect daily practice. I know from experience that when you practice, you play better. And when you play better, playing becomes more enjoyable.
Tone development is first priority in all lessons. Musical expression relies on a generous and flexible sound. We work with the tone studies of Marcel Moyse and Trevor Wye and we examine all of the subtleties of embouchure and playing position. Commitment to tone development reflects the character of the musician. “Beautiful tone, beautiful heart”.–Shinichi Suzuki
Each lesson is structured to allow time for tone study, technical study including scales and arpeggios, exploration of musical expression through etudes, and repertoire development at an appropriate level for the student. Students who balance their daily practice accordingly will develop exceptional musicianship and have many rewarding performance opportunities. Through those performances, young musicians learn to be confident and poised.
I learn about my students and their non-musical interests as well. Then I can show them how many of the skills we learn as musicians transfer to other disciplines that interest them. Some of those skills are problem solving, time management, memory skills, perseverance, and intellectual focus. I encourage students to find ways that these skills apply to activities outside the music studio. I want to instill a love of life-long learning in all areas of interest, cultivating a rich environment for personal growth.
Students work together in group classes and ensemble rehearsals. They learn to play together through collaboration and teamwork. Together we learn to respect others with similar and diverse skills and to be a part of the larger musical community. Opportunities to work together include solo recitals, ensemble concerts, field trips, and workshops like our Halloween Costume Concert, Movie Music Recital, and Flute Boot Camp.
Adult students set their own goals, but will be challenged to play at their highest level. Adults may participate in all studio events and are encouraged to play in community bands or orchestras.
Repertoire in the studio is primarily classical, but also draws on folk, pop, jazz and world music.
Introduction to the Suzuki Flute Method
Talent Education
Shinichi Suzuki, violinist and teacher, began developing his system of education in the 1930’s. He recognized children’s ability to assimilate language as an opportunity to enrich them through music. He called this method the Mother Tongue method. Suzuki believed that talent is not an inborn ability, but a skill that can be developed to a very high level in every child given the proper training and environment.
Because Suzuki was a violinist, he applied his theories first to teaching children to play the violin. The Suzuki Method, also known as Talent Education, now includes flute, recorder, cello, viola, string bass, piano, harp, guitar and early childhood education.
Suzuki Flute
The Suzuki Flute Method was developed by Toshio Takahashi, and continues to evolve as students and teachers mature. Mr. Takahashi was a student of the eminent French flutist, Marcel Moyse, upon whose playing and teaching the Suzuki Flute Method is based. Mr. Takahashi is currently director of teacher training at the Talent Education Institute in Matsumoto, Japan.
The Suzuki Triangle
The Suzuki Method requires a three-way partnership between the student, teacher and the parent working together to combine a philosophy, a technique and a program of education. Parents attend lessons and practice with the child daily. The parent need not be a musician. She/he is taught, step by step, how to help the child at home.
A Positive Approach
The teacher and parent encourage the child, praising each effort, so that the practice time is a positive experience. It is the teacher’s challenge to help the parent create an environment that provides motivation for the child.
Suzuki students develop many skills beyond musical technique including problem solving, memory skills, perseverance and the ability to focus on a task. Other benefits of Suzuki study are an increasing appreciation of music, development of an emotional outlet, sense of self-worth, discipline, and respect for other people with similar and diverse skills.