Running Springs, CA Flute Lessons

ad and hear the progress you or your child has made! I am a very patient person and in my teaching I try to keep the atmosphere positive and encouraging. I have taught in person and online all across the country including Hawaii and even as far away as Italy to all ages and levels, beginning to advanced. You never know what talent is hidden inside that could be brought out with proper instruction. After I had graduated college with my music degrees, I remember my first flute teacher finally sharing with me that I was the only student she ever had that could not make a sound in their first lesson! So you truly never know until you try!

Lesson Length Recommendations:
Beginner - 30 minute lesson
Intermediate - 45 minute lesson
Advanced - 60 minute lesson

Biography

I was born and raised in Sarasota, Florida and began studying the flute at the age of 12. My interest in music was sparked after weeks of gazing longingly through the window as my twin sister crossed the street to her French horn lessons. I was determined to play an instrument too, so I asked my mom if I could take music lessons. It turned out that there was a fantastic flute teacher who happened to live down the street, so I began walking to my flute lessons. That flute teacher was Betsy Hudson-Traba, principal flutist of what is now the Sarasota Orchestra. Meeting her and starting flute lessons set my life down an incredible journey through music that would eventually take me halfway across the world.

With Betsy's instruction and encouragement, I had much success as a young musician. Throughout high school I played principal flute in Sarasota’s youth orchestra program and was a winner of the Young Artist Competition. I attended Interlochen Arts Camp where I was exposed to many wonderful artists and teachers. With a lot of hard work, I was able to win first chair flute in the FMEA All-State multiple times and also participated every year in the Solo & Ensemble Festival. I loved playing classical music, but fell in love with marching band too and became drum major which ignited my passion for teaching.

Wanting to pursue music as a career, I went on to study with Eva Amsler at Florida State University where I earned my Bachelor of Music in flute performance. Her teaching gave me a greater understanding of tone development, movement, and body awareness. I had a lot of wonderful playing opportunities here and as an undergraduate was playing in the top orchestra. During my time at FSU I was a proud member of the “world renown” Marching CHIEFS, where I served as section leader to 50+ flutes! It was truly incredible having a weekly audience of 80,000 football fans cheering us on. One of my favorite and more unique ensembles I participated in at FSU was the Andean ensemble, Aconcagua. I played the zampona (panpipes) and the quena (Andean flute). I loved it because it gave me the chance to play flutes still, but in a different capacity that was much more free than the classical music setting I was accustomed to.

After undergrad, I decided to go abroad for graduate school earning my Master’s at a small conservatory in beautiful Lugano, Switzerland called the Conservatorio della Svizzera Italiana. I studied under Italian flutists, Mario Ancillotti, Stefano Parrino, and Giovanni Crola. Through their help I was able to refine and demonstrate greater musicality in my playing. Performance was emphasized greatly in lessons and in our school curriculum. I also had many opportunities to pursue my love of travelling and work on my foreign language skills!

After heading home to the States I began my freelance career substituting in various orchestras in Florida including the Sarasota Orchestra, Sarasota Ballet Orchestra, and the Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra. I now live in Acworth, Georgia where I teach private flute lessons and play in the Alpharetta Symphony Orchestra as well as serve on the orchestra board as the Personnel Manager. In addition to music, I love spending time with my family, friends, my husband, Vance, and our adorable kitties (Ron & Harry) and sweet dog (Leia). I also enjoy volunteering at church where I work with the elementary age kids, reading, hiking, trying to bake, organizing, and cleaning!

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in flute and piccolo solo, orchestral, band, and chamber ensemble playing and also audition prep.

ter performing group and spends most of its time performing in and around the Pacific Northwest. When not leading his own group Kareem can be seen and heard performing as a sideman with many other top notch musical acts and projects, most notably The Paperboys from Vancouver BC.

As an educator Kareem divides his time teaching jazz improvisation as an artist in residence at The Tacoma School of the Arts, directing the award winning student jazz ensemble at Pierce College, conducting masterclasses and workshops at schools around the Puget Sound area, and maintaining a full load of private students. Along with his teaching duties Kareem is the director or The Tacoma Jazz Association, serves on the Tacoma Arts Commission, and is a D'Addario Woodwinds performing artist.

Kareem holds a Bachelors Degree of Music from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle Washington which he attended after receiving a full scholarship.

Throughout his years of teaching Kareem has worked with students of all ages and abilities, from beginners just getting started, to advanced players who simply want new ideas and direction.

*** Lesson Details ***
Lessons are relaxed and are focused on what you would like to learn.

I usually begin with assessing where students are in their abilities and then come up with a lesson plan based on what they already know and what they would like to accomplish.
They can be geared towards a 5 year old with no musical training whatsoever, or to an advanced musician who wants to further develop their skills.

Topics that I cover in lessons throughout a typical day of teaching include: Instrument technique, sight reading skills ( note and rhythm recognition ), memorization skills, music theory, ear training, improvising, and composing.

After 3 to 6 months of lessons and regular practice a beginning student should have a good command of their instrument and a strong foundation of sight reading. At this point we normally will also have started some music theory as well. For students wanting to focus on jazz we will have already begun improvising as well.

*** Studio Equipment ***
5x10 room w/ piano and seating for parents

*** Specialties ***
I focus on the basics of learning to read music and basic technique on the instruments that I teach. From there I proceed with theory, ear training, improvising, composition etc. It all depends on what the students want to learn. I am comfortable teaching classical music as well as jazz, rock, composition, and improvisation.

in my schedule to teach any one who is serious about excelling on his/her instrument. I look forward to helping you reach your potential.

Americas, and the Bozeman Symphony Orchestra.

elping new students achieve their goals.

flexibility, endurance, speed, song writing, ear training, improvisation, and much more!
In addition I also help students with their music for band at school, or for any other type of ensemble they might be playing in. I have been a professional musician for several years and I have backed groups like The L.A. Swing Barons, The Inland Empire Swing Orchestra, Sonora Santanera groups, Willie and The Road Tramps, Irie Nationz, The Goodlow Company, Domestic Imports, Buddha Bomb, Angry Babies, Space Camp Stowaways, The Debonaires, and more! I am currently in a few different groups playing all over Southern California and beyond.
I will bring the best out of your playing, take a lesson with me and you will get better! I have years of experience that you can tap into; in order for you to reach your musical goals. My education philosophy is student focused and I draw from a lot of different teaching concepts like Kodàly method, Orff method, Susuki method, and more. I am much more than just an instructor, but your also getting a mentor and a life coach. Sign up for a lesson today!
To reserve a spot just look for the box that says "Reserve your spot with Stephen," then go ahead select the instrument you want to learn, then the location, and a time that works for you. Then I will get in contact with you as soon as your sign up and we can go over all the details. I love new students, and I cannot wait to hear from you today.

**My Vision***
I seek students who share a love of learning. I am not looking for the finest musicians or highest IQ's, because those gifts are not required to learn and grow. My greatest experiences as a teacher have come from when I work with students who just want to learn more.

***My Requirements***
I hold my students to high expectations when it comes to practicing. Each week, I give students individual assignments that I know will improve their learning and playing abilities, and I expect those assignments to be fulfilled by the next lesson. A failure to do so will result in frustration for both myself and my student.

However, I know that nobody is perfect, and I myself have had my share of weeks where life happens, and I simply don't progress as much as I would like. As a teacher, I understand this perfectly, and I will always strive to listen to my students, and work with them through their difficulties or struggles.

***What To Expect From Lessons***
I bring a lot of energy to lessons! I am very passionate about teaching and helping students grow, and I make sure to bring that to every lesson. I give concise, direct feedback to students, making sure to give them the information they need to understand how they can achieve their goals and grow.

I am very perceptive of students' feelings, and I take care to be sensitive to their needs each week. My worst fear as a teacher is to cause hurt feelings, so I will do everything in my power to avoid that!

I am an expert in the field of music and the flute, so you can be rest assured that the quality of instruction will be the highest.

eir musical skills! I enjoy passing on all of the knowledge I possibly can to my students, crafting our lessons to their individual learning styles and comfort levels.