Yes, I teach privately!

In addition to teaching college flute students at Delta State, I also enjoy teaching a limited number private students of all ages and abilities.

I have a very limited number of openings in my studio but am always interested in meeting dedicated, hardworking, and enthusiastic students. If you are interested in learning more about private instruction, please browse this page and my studio policies and then give me a call.

My teaching style is positive and encouraging -- I give very specific feedback, and my goal is that students will eventually gain the skills needed to become independent musicians, no matter what their career paths may be. My students play in informal recitals three times each year and get to participate in some fun workshops and group classes.

I enjoy teaching mostly in the "classical flute" area (instead of  jazz, pop, new age, or ethnic flutes). I'm also available for clinics, masterclasses, and chamber music and/or flute choir coaching.

I am occasionally asked if a university professor is an appropriate teacher for a child who is beginning to learn the flute. It's a good question, and the answer is yes! Before moving to Delta State, I had a flourishing studio of private flute students in addition to my university teaching responsibilities. I really enjoy teaching students to make their very first note on a flute, and I enjoy seeing them progress as musicians. My youngest students are currently in second grade. We have a lot of fun!

Students are expected to be prepared for their lessons, to be open to suggestions, and to be willing to participate in studio activities, including group classes and recitals. Although students are encouraged to participate in music festivals, and other flute activities, I want to stress that I am NOT interested in "cutthroat," competitive students. Students are expected to be supportive and encouraging to each other.

The Fife Program: Most of my beginners (through grade six) now start with a "pre-flute" instrument, the Yamaha fife. This is a fantastic and fun way to get a great foundation in flute playing, and my students who begin with fife are becoming very good flutists! By beginning on the fife, students are able to learn to read music, to use real flute fingerings, and to create a strong embouchure without the difficulty of trying to hold and balance a flute. When students eventually switch to the flute, I have found that they are able to start on an open hole instrument with little difficulty and experience success almost immediately. This is also an inexpensive way to avoid "rent to own" instrument plans, which are seldom financially advantageous to parents. Please ask for more details about the Fife Program.

FAQs:

Do you offer group classes? Private students of similar abilities and ages meet together every 6-8 weeks for group lessons and ensemble participation.

May I take lessons every other week? I'm happy to work with adult or out-of-town students on an irregular basis, but for students up through 18, I do not offer twice-monthly lessons. This is because flute students need consistent instruction and regular practice in order to achieve success. It is far better to take a 30 minute lesson each week than to take a 60 minute lesson twice each month.

studio policies