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My flute school is designed to educate flutists to become well-rounded musicians and poised learners. In my flute school, students take private lessons with me, practice performing for one another in informal performance practice classes, work with professional pianist collaborators, and take group Alexander Technique, Body Mapping, and Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement® lessons. Students also perform in a formal studio recital twice a year. In my private lessons, students are taught technique and tone with special emphasis on rhythm. I also encourage students to develop their physical and mental self-awareness through body mapping and personal reflection.
I teach in Campbell (near downtown and Campbell Middle School) and at West Valley Music in downtown Mountain View.
All new students are accepted into the flute school by audition and interview. Please call or email me to schedule an audition/interview.
Tuition for 2012
$1040 per semester for full-time students (15 private lessons plus group lessons)
$575 per semester for half-time students (8 private lessons plus group lessons)
$60 per extra lesson (for students enrolled in the flute school)
$70 per 1-hour lesson (for students not enrolled in the school)
Expectations
Students are expected to practice at least 5 days a week and participate in a group music ensemble or class in their schools or in the community. Students will be advised of the duration of practice required on an individual basis. Students who do not show an interest in self-motivated practice will be asked to leave the school.
For younger beginners, ages 7 – 12
My philosophy on teaching and learning is based on the belief that learning begins at home. There is no better teacher to a child other than her parents and family. This is the reason that I require that a parent learn to play the flute alongside their child. The parent must attend all flute lessons with the student for the first 12 months and learn to play the flute along with the student as long as it is needed or practical. The parent may need to learn along with the student for 3 months or more than 1 year, depending on the parent’s and student’s progress and needs. There is no additional charge for a parent attending lessons and learning to play the flute at the same time as the student.
I’m sure you also feel, as I do, that it is the responsibility of the parents to educate the child. Please provide a nurturing and fun learning environment at home. The parent must practice with the student at home at least 5 days a week. Practicing may include singing, dancing, clapping and counting in addition to playing the flute. Parents and students who do not show an interest in self-motivated practice will be asked to leave the studio and a prorated refund, less a $100 fee, will be offered.
Learning to play a musical instrument is like learning a foreign language. Children can learn languages (and music) quickly but they need to be exposed to as much of it as possible and practice the language as often as possible to be successful in mastering the language. Please play good quality recordings of any type of music in your home as often as possible. Listen to music together and discuss what you liked or didn’t like about it. Next time you go to the movies, ask your child to be aware of the music in the different scenes before it starts, then ask if they think that the music in the movie matched the story. You can discuss TV commercial jingles too. Encourage your child to make up songs on the flute as well as try to figure out how to play songs they already know.
An exemption from this requirement may be made for students who have had private lessons before and have already learned good practice habits.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Are you accepting new students?
I am now accepting students for Spring 2012 in Campbell and Mountain View. The semester starts on January 16, 2011 and ends on June 15, 2012.
Where do you teach?
I teach in Campbell (near downtown and Campbell Middle School) and at West Valley Music in downtown Mountain View.
Do you teach beginners?
Yes. I do teach beginners of all ages. However, I have a very unique requirement for young beginners. Please read the section labeled For younger beginners, ages 7 – 12.
Why do you require auditions and interviews for new students?
The audition and interview is important for both teacher and student since most private lesson teacher-student relationships last many years. During the interview process we can determine if I am the right teacher for you or your child. For children under 13 years old, the interview is more with the parents than with the child.
What should I prepare for the audition?
1. Prepare any piece that you can play well. It can be a solo piece or even a piece that you are playing in your school band.
2. Prepare two scales.
3. Prepare to sing a song of your choice. It can be any song that you like and can sing well.
4. I may also ask you to sight-read a piece or rhythmic exercise.
Beginners who do not have a flute or can’t play any songs on the flute yet do not have to prepare anything in particular. However, I may ask you to sing something with me.
Should I rent or buy a flute for my child or myself?
Renting a student flute at first, until you are certain that you or your child will continue with the flute, is a good idea. I do not recommend buying a flute on your own. However, if you decide to purchase a flute, I’d be happy to give you some recommendations and/or go with you to a music store to help you select a good quality instrument.
Where can I rent or buy a flute?
West Valley Music in Mountain View and Starving Musician in Santa Clara are just a few options in the area.
Student flute rental rates are generally between $20-25 per month. Many music stores also offer a rent-to-own or buy-back program. I do not recommend renting a flute from a store without an in-house repair facility and repair professional.
How much practice do I need?
The amount of time you put in the gym for your physical fitness is similar to the amount of time you need to put into your flute practice. I am not a health expert but I’ve heard that you need to engage in exercise a few days a week, every week in order to maintain current weight or level of fitness. If you want to lose weight or improve your level of fitness, you are supposed to engage in exercise most days of the week, every week. I truly believe that this is also the case for flute study. If you want to improve as a flutist, you need to practice at least 5 days a week. If you want to maintain your current level of playing, just practice 3 days a week. I assume that you want to improve your flute playing if you take flute lesson with me. Therefore, I expect you to practice 5 days a week.
If you are a student who plays flute in the school band 5 days a week, those band classes are not enough practice for someone taking private flute lessons. If you are taking private lessons, I assume that you want to be challenged beyond what is offered in your school music program. Again, (I love comparing music study to sports) if you really want to be a good basketball player, 5 days of P.E. class at school is not going to make you into a fantastic basketball player. You need to play a lot of basketball after school, perhaps join a league, and work with a good coach.
For every day that you practice, you may need to practice 30 minutes to 1 hour or more. 30 minutes a day is quite manageable if you plan the practice time into your daily schedule and routine. I will work with you to suggest an appropriate duration of practice on an individual basis.
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