Los Alamitos, CA Flute Lessons

on, I was fortunate to play lots of gigs around town and was also a featured soloist on a number of recitals, recordings, and film scores.

In May 2010, I graduated from Berklee College of Music and moved to Los Angeles. Always maintaining a busy schedule, I have been performing with a number of talented musicians at several venues in the LA area. In addition to playing live shows, I have been recording for film/TV music.

I love all kinds of music: Classical, Pop, Jazz, Rock etc…
Some of my favorite artists/influences include:
Cannonball Adderley, The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Earth Wind and Fire, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, and many more

Thank you so much for stopping by my page and hope to work with you soon!

Best,
Natsuki

*** Lesson Details ***
I am experienced in most styles: Jazz, Pop, Classical, Latin, R&B, Funk, Rock etc…
After discussing your goals, we will figure out the best way to accomplish those goals!

I am a really easy-going person and I want you to have FUN and discover new stuff every time you play your instrument.

After we figure out what you want to play and what areas we want to work on, I will make a special curriculum for you! Each student has a different curriculum that is specific to his or her level and learning style. I give a weekly curriculum after every lesson so you don’t need to worry about forgetting what we worked on at our lesson and you can work on it at home. Looking at past curriculum also provides an excellent way to look at a student’s progress.

One of the most important aspects of playing a woodwind instrument is achieving a good tone. I will help you get a good tone by teaching the fundamentals: from how to hold your instrument, how to blow, etc…

Other topics that we might cover include sight-reading, improvisation, theory, ear training, etc.

You are welcome to bring/suggest any music that you want to work on!

My studio is in a safe and nice family friendly neighborhood as you can see in the photos.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Kawai Grand Piano
Music Playback System
Lots of space (parents are welcome to sit in on the lessons)

*** Specialties ***
Jazz, Classical, Pop, Rock, R&B, most genres

, and choir.

I have also taught woodwinds for various high schools across southern California, as well as a marching/visual coach for marching bands.

I front and lead my own Christian Contemporary Band. We've recorded two albums, of which I have composed the original music/lyrics, and produced both albums. We are currently working on our third album.

I can teach everything from jazz, to classical, rock, blues, Latin genres (salsa, merengue, bolero, mambo, etc.), and even contemporary Christian music in both English and Spanish.

I mix all of these experiences and knowledge into a big melting pot, and apply it very efficiently and wisely so that my students can positively benefit from a wonderful and exciting real-world musical journey!

*** Lesson Details ***
I base my lessons around the student's needs for musical growth, and their own likes and dislikes. If there is something specific that the student wants to learn, as far as a style/genre or piece of music, I foster that and I help encourage musical growth and enjoyment around that.
I am constantly encouraging my students to listen to as much music as possible, or better yet, to watch and listen to as much live music as possible. I strongly believe that this nurtures musical growth and serves as a role model.
I am very patient and laid back, but I do expect the student to have fun while staying constant with individual practice. There is no substitution for perseverance, consistency, and hard work, but it doesn't mean that we will not have fun while we make music!

*** Studio Equipment ***
An upright Yamaha acoustic piano is available, along with a Korg and Kurzweil digital keyboards, music stands, computer music software for studying repertoire (music), a large collection/library of books containing scales, exercises, music, etc. I also can make copies or print something for you if necessary. A sound system is available for listening to something is necessary. Flute, saxophone, and clarinet students must provide their own instrument, but I can point you in the right direction in terms of acquiring an instrument either for purchase or rental from a local music retail store.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Students must provide their own instrument, except piano if student comes to my home for lessons. Student must also provide books (as assigned), and metronome for practicing at home. I can carry with me things such as: saxophone, clarinet, flute, a portable music stand, metronome/tunes, pencil, paper, and any other book(s) or materials as needed.  

*** Specialties ***
I can teach classical, jazz/contemporary, funk, latin, blues, contemporary Christian, improvisation and music theory at very advanced levels.

if you haven't had time to prepare we can always have a productive lesson.

We will learn simple tunes in the very first lesson, and I will always balance technical exercises with fun. (Though I do think a lot of exercises are fun too!) After a few months we will have a solid foundation of music theory and will have developed your music reading abilities considerably. We will have worked on a great technical foundation of scales and exercises, so that your fingers won't fail you. We will also be delving in to longer and more complex tunes, and considering the possibility of some form of casual public or in-home performance, for you to show your family and friends what you've learned!

*** Travel Equipment ***
I expect students to have their own instruments and music.

*** Specialties ***
Classical

C Thornton Wind Ensemble, Thornton Symphony Orchestra, Thornton Opera Orchestra and various chamber ensembles. Dr. Lu has worked with many renowned conductors such as James Judd, James Conlon, Carl St. Clair, Gerard Schwarz, H.Robert Reynolds, Sharon Lavery, Larry Livingston and Michael Powers. Chang has just had a concert leading the Thornton Baroque Sinfonia Ensemble performing a Telemann Flute Concerto.

Dr.Lu graduated with a Doctoral of Musical Arts Degree from USC Thornton School of Music in flute performance studying with Jim Walker, former Los Angeles Philharmonic principal flutist. She also earned minor degrees in Music Theory, Orchestral Conducting and Early Music. Dr. Lu has been a successful teacher teaching at USC as an adjunct flute instructor as well as piano and music theory teaching at several music studios. Dr.Lu’s students have been awarded several prizes in national competitions, such as 1st prize in the SYMF competition in July 2016.

Lesson Details:

As a teacher, I love to see my students take pride in their improvements and strive to be a leader. I have taught many students at all levels. From teaching them how to read music while providing the fundamentals of piano playing, to college level of auditioning for significant competitions. I particularly like to focus on students who are interested in band and orchestra at school. It’s the joy of teaching to see kids marvel at different tones and musicality they can produce.

For all my lessons I include music theory and ask that students try their best to learn how music is connected and formed. Learning flute is a rewarding process, so please be patient and open-minded. Feel free to ask me any questions and I look forward to meeting you!

3, Sheila graduated from California State University, Northridge with a Masters degree in Flute Performance where she studied flute with Sandra Kipp. At CSUN, she performed in the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Wind Symphony, Northridge Flute Quartet, and various chamber ensembles. She currently resides in Irvine and teaches private lessons in flute and piano.

*** Lesson Details ***
My goal as a music educator is to foster excellence in the art of music through private instruction. I have worked with students of all ages ranging from 5 to older adults.

In my studio, students will learn to read music and have a well rounded music education. This means that we will work on a variety of things such as music theory, music history, and a wide range of repertoire (from Beethoven to the Beatles!) While I have high expectations for my students, I do my best to keep the lessons relaxed and lighthearted. My hope is that the student is always engaged and interested during lessons.

My three expectations:

1. Come prepared both mentally and physically (this is especially important for flutists-- make sure to warm up prior to the lesson!)

2. Don't be afraid to ask questions and make mistakes. This is non-threatening territory, I'm here to guide you and help you. Remember that mistakes happen, we're human. Just make sure that you learn from those mistakes so as not to make the same ones and grow from each experience.

3. For parents-- BE INVOLVED! I can't tell you how often I've seen younger students excel when their parents were proactive in the experience. This means encouraging them to practice, coming up with a rewards system, and sometimes sitting in on the lesson to take notes so that you can work on what we did during the lesson at home together. It's difficult for music teachers to compete with iPads, Playstations and television, so let's get creative together!

*** Required Materials ***
Flute students must own a well maintained flute, as an instrument that is out of adjustment causes frustration and can initiate bad habits. In addition, the student must also have a metronome and tuner, a music stand, flute repertoire, and an assignment book for me to write down each week's assignments.

Piano students must have a working acoustic piano or digital piano in their home for piano lessons. The student must also have a metronome, piano repertoire, and an assignment book for each week's assignments.

orsakov unfold a tale of an enchanted land, with camel-riding merchants, bazaar, and princesses, without uttering a single word. I went on to learn a few instruments: xylophone, three different kinds of recorders, and then all this eventually led to flute.

I started studying flute at the age of 8, and it has been a delightful journey. In high school, I have participated in marching band, symphonic band, wind ensemble, and symphonic orchestra. I was also part of two prestigious local youth orchestra, the Orange County Youth Symphony Orchestra, and the Claremont Young Musician Orchestra.

I obtained my Bachelor of Music (Flute Performance) degree from University of California, Santa Barbara. I grew immensely as a musician during my time in Santa Barbara, I studied under Jill Felber, and I was able to expand my repetoire and gain considerable experience. I even played at the local farmers market as a street performer during the weekends. After graduation , I traveled to my home country Taiwan to study another great musician - Anders Norell, the principal flutist/flautist of the Taiwan Philharmonic. It was another great opportunity as I was able to garner teaching experiences, as well as attending master classes of great flutist/flautist such as Emmanuel Pahud.

As a music teacher, I encourage and inspire. I am foremost a music lover, then flutist and flute teacher. I aspire to spread the abundance of joy and beauty that music has bring into my life. As the great conductor and cellist Pablo Casals puts it: "Music is the divine way to tell beautiful, poetic things to the heart". Therefore, whether if you are a wobbly toddler, high school marching band enthusiast (as I once was), house wife looking for a new hobby, full time employee who always had a love for classical music, or grandmother who is looking for something other than crochet, join me on this wonderful journey.

"The pursuit of music would provide you a life time of joy".

love or reading through a classical concerto, I’ll help prepare you or your child to tackle a wide variety of styles, without missing out on any of the basics that turn good players into phenomenal musicians. We all know it’s not about being the best. It’s about having fun, and playing music well is definitely fun.

Practice makes perfect! Learning an instrument helps build self-confidence and discipline. If your child’s bored, distracted, or just needs a constructive hobby, music is a great place to get them interested in something that will help them feel better about themselves, and the effects will be felt across everything else they do, through better studying habits to a more patient, diligent work ethic.

It’s also relaxing! Stressed about work? Need an escape? Maybe you want to sound like [insert piano player here]. Everybody has the power to learn an instrument. Seriously, there’s no such thing as “talent.” Just start lessons and get practicing! It really is that simple, and I’ll guide you through every step of the way.

I have a diverse background teaching students of all ages, from 3-year-olds to retirees alike, customizing what we learn to the individual student. We’ll learn how to read music just as easily as you read words; improvise and compose music of our own; and feel good playing any style: classical, jazz, rock, and all. My experience as a working musician in films, musical theater, and pop music, as well as classical concert music, allows me to appreciate and teach styles that many other instructors overlook, and I know full well that learning an instrument is not about becoming a professional; it’s about being able to connect to others or oneself through music… and also to just have fun! There’s no need to learn music we don’t like! It’s not about stuffing Beethoven into your kids’ ears… we just want to make music, be that Beethoven or Billy Joel.

Music lasts a lifetime. I know that’s a terrible cliché, but it’s true, and few other skills can claim that. I don’t want to sugarcoat it: it takes time to learn an instrument. It takes practice, and sometimes it’s frustrating. But the results are well worth it, and like a snowball rolling down a hill, the longer you do it, the faster you get… or something like that. There’s a legitimate analogy in there somewhere.

Now get out there and make some music! But start by signing up for lessons. I can’t wait to get started!

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“What’s that chord?” “Why does all my music sound the same?” “How do I fix this voicing?” “I just can’t get it out of my head!” …sound familiar? You’ve probably hit a rut. Or maybe you’re just starting out. Either way, you want your music to sound new, exciting, and to come out exactly how you hear it in your head. Yes… you CAN learn to compose music, you CAN learn to be more creative, and you CAN learn to share your sound with the world.

Film music, classical, jazz… whatever your interest, all music comes from the same place, and by learning a handful of basic concepts, you can apply these to whatever style you’re trying to write. Learning to emulate another musician involves knowing what they’re doing. Learning to create a groundbreaking sound requires that you know what’s already been done, and how to achieve it. Step by step, we’ll work our way there.

We’ll learn how to write cool, interesting chord progressions, how to write beautiful melodies, and how to voice chords. We’ll learn how to control the mood of our music, from making it sound relaxed to adding tension wherever we want. Maybe you’re trying to write for an orchestra, or just a small band. By learning the basics, you can then easily break away from what’s been done and come up with something truly new… the goal of any aspiring composer!

dent, you will be enjoying to play beautiful music on your stage.