Core Principles:

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• A highly individualized approach to teaching and challenging each student.  Every student has their own unique strengths and weaknesses as a growing musician, and my job is to develop each and every student into a strong and independent musician as well as foster a love of making music.

 

 

• I insist that students always play their best while maintaining a positive, fun, and encouraging learning environment.

 

• Develop a clear, full, beautiful tone, along with a discerning ear for detecting tone issues.  Students learn to listen closely to their own playing. Developing a good ear is key to becoming a successful musician.
 

• Instill confidence by building strong technique from day one, with an emphasis on proper posture and hand position.

 

• Emphasize excellent practice habits and practice methods.  Since most of a student’s practice time is spent without the teacher, it is important that students know how to approach practicing to make efficient use of practice time.

 

• I help students grow to be independent musicians by encouraging students to make interpretive decisions and take musical "risks."  Students are always encouraged to ask questions and be curious about music.  Music theory and music history is integrated into lessons to help students gain better context for the music they are learning. 

 

• Students are taught how to properly care for and clean their flute.

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What you can expect from me:

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• A passion for teaching and playing the flute. My mission as a teacher is to share my love and enthusiasm for the flute with my students. This is informed by over sixteen years teaching experience, and two degrees in Flute Performance from two of the nation's premier music schools, the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

 

• Extensive knowledge of the best flute repertoire and method books
 

• I explore what works best for each student with creativity and sensitivity.  This allows for varied teaching styles to fit the needs of students with different learning styles. 
 

• A comprehensive understanding of the inherent difficulties of playing the flute that allows me to help students struggling with issues such as tone production and quality, rhythm, dynamics, and difficulties with fingerings

• A positive, patient, and encouraging learning environment