Council Bluffs, IA Flute Lessons

elen O’Connor, Alexa Still, and Jean Rosenblum. Roberta resides in Brooklyn, New York where she teaches privately and is on faculty at Great Neck Music Conservatory.

Roberta has performed with groups including Duo RoMi (with pianist Mirna Lekic), the Portland String Quartet, SEM Ensemble, Wet Ink Ensemble, Argento Chamber Ensemble, Wordless Music Orchestra, Ensemble Moto Perpetuo, Lunatics at Large, Kagel Nacht, Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas, Cheyenne Symphony, and the Greeley Philharmonic in venues including Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Alice Tulley Hall, Merkin Hall, The Kennedy Center, Bargemusic (with tenor Robert White), and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As a guest artist, she has appeared at Bloomsburg University and the University of Southern Maine. She has recorded on New Dynamic Records, Meta, Bridge, and Innova Records.

Roberta has been a Bang on a Can Summer Institute fellow and a participant in the Institute and Festival of Contemporary Performance at Mannes College, as well as participating in festivals at Banff and Domaine Forget. Roberta recently won the Artists International Special Presentation Award and was presented in her debut recital at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall. Other awards include: Purchase College’s Baroque Concerto Competition, Bay Chamber Summer Music Woodwind Prize, Dante Alighieri Society of Denver Music Scholarship, and the Emily K. Rand Award.

*** Lesson Details ***
In my studio, I believe that my role is to steer students toward a deeper understanding of themselves, their instrument, and their relationship to music. I tailor my teaching to the needs of my individual students, who currently range from age 4 to adult, often adding improvisation and extended techniques to increase my students’ awareness of the potential of the flute as a channel for one’s creativity.

With over a decade of teaching and a doctorate in flute performance, I have extensive experience teaching flute lessons and recorder lessons to students from beginners to advanced. I teach at my studio in Brooklyn or can come to your home in New York City. I have previously taught in Colorado, Westchester, NY, and throughout New York City. I've been on faculty at The Harmony Program and the Denver Public School’s Saturday Music Program, where I taught beginning flute classes to public school children. I have given masterclasses at the University of Southern Maine and the Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts High School, and have taught music classes at Purchase College and Hostos Community College.

*** Studio Equipment ***
I have a studio with music stands, flutes, recorders, an upright piano, and place for parents to wait. Street parking is available, and I'm less than a block from the subway.

Students are expected to bring their instrument, music, and a notebook.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I bring my flute. Students need to have a music stand, music, a notebook, and a working instrument.

*** Specialties ***
I am well-versed in all areas of classical music, especially new music. My primary instrument is flute, but I also enjoy teaching beginner piano, recorder, and music theory.

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.

to EVERY endeavor whether it's music or math or soccer. I require practice on the student's part. You will be able to play recognizable songs within your first month. You tell me what you or your child wants out of music lessons, and I will tell you exactly how to get it.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Lesson will happen in a space next to the family room which is upstairs. Teacher has a collection of instruments, music stands, couches for seating. Park on the street or driveway.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Instrument

*** Specialties ***
I'm flexible. I have taught everything from country western guitar to classical guitar, from Jazz trumpet to orchestral audition music, from barbershop singing to Broadway musical singing. I have even taught ballet. I cater my methods to the student's best learning style.

and New Jersey and has taught at the secondary level in both states. In addition to both instrumental and choral ensembles at Penn State, Thomas was a student leader in the Penn State Blue Band and a member of the brass section of the Cadets of Bergen County Drum and Bugle Corps in 1993 and 1994. He served as an Associate Director of the Warren Junior Military Band of Youngstown, Ohio from 1995 to 2005. He also served as a visual staff member for the renowned North Penn Marching Knights of Lansdale, PA for one season in 2004.

He is a current adjudicator with Drum Corps International and Cavalcade of Bands. He is a member of MENC, PMEA, NJMEA, ASCAP, CASA, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and the National Band Association. He appeared in the Marquis Who's Who Among American Educators in 2004 and 2005, an honor rarely bestowed upon teachers, as students who appear in the Who's Who Among American High School Students must nominate them. He currently is a music teacher at the Center for Performing and Fine Arts of the PA Leadership Charter School in West Chester, PA and resides in Downingtown, PA with his wife and two sons.

Thomas will happily work with students on the autism spectrum or students with ADD.

*** Lesson Details ***
My lessons are tailored to the needs and interests of each student. If a student is involved in school music ensembles, we will work with their lesson books from school in addition to material outside of the books, including SmartMusic, Noteflight, and teacher-created materials. We will focus on building proper tone production and individual technique - something that often is difficult to learn in a large ensemble setting.

I am capable of starting a beginner student on any band instrument including percussion, any classical string instrument (violin, viola, cello, string bass), and piano. I can begin a student on drum set and work with them through their first method book, but I would then recommend they find a specialized drum set teacher after a period of six to twelve months.

For advanced students, I work from selected conservatory etude books on developing advanced skills and can work with students on audition pieces for honors bands/orchestras or college auditions.

My lessons are a half-hour once a week, with the option of working for 45 minutes or 60 minutes.

*** Specialties ***
music, band, orchestra, flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, violin, viola, cello, string bass, piano, Percussion
classical, jazz improvisation

ist Jazz Festival, directing Jazz Ensembles I-II, Jazz Combo, Jazz Improvisation lessons, Jazz Pedagogy, online Jazz Appreciation, private saxophone lessons, saxophone quartets, private oboe lessons, and group guitar class.

Spaeth completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in saxophone performance at the University of Kansas in 2014, and his Master of Music Pedagogy and Performance from Oklahoma State University in 2011. He graduated from Harrah High School in 2002, earned his Bachelor of Music Education from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 2008, and was a 5th-12th grade Head Band Director at Fairview Public schools. He is currently a member of the North American Saxophone Alliance, the Jazz Education Network, Music Teachers National Association, National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors, and an Honorary Member of Tau Beta Sigma. He has held previous memberships with Kappa Kappa Psi, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Kappa Delta Pi, and the Oklahoma Bandmasters Association.

While at KU, Spaeth was also a graduate teaching assistant for the saxophone studio and jazz studies program. His responsibilities included Assistant Director of the KU Jazz Festival, directing Jazz Ensembles II-III, directing Jazz Combo III-VI, directing Saxophone Quartets II-III, teaching private saxophone lessons, assisting in saxophone studio class, and teaching the music education woodwind methods course. His Lecture Recital Document, A Performer’s Analysis of Selected Jazz Works for Saxophone Quartet, featured an interview with Bob Mintzer. Spaeth was a member of KU Jazz Ensemble I, KU Saxophone Quartet I, and KU's Helianthus New Music Ensemble. As a member of KU's Jazz Ensemble 1, Spaeth has performed with Dave Douglas, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Alex Sipiagin, Steve Owen, Gary Foster, Steve Houghton, Clint Ashlock, David von Kampen, Peter Epstein, Jeff Miley, James Miley, Roger Shew, and Brian Hamada, Brandon Draper, Rich Wheeler, Beau Bledsoe, Jeff Harshbarger, and Matt Otto. In July 2014, Spaeth went on a European tour with KU Jazz Ensemble I featuring Steve Leisring and Deborah Brown. Together, they performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, the Vienne Jazz Festival in France, and performed in several cities in Germany. Recordings by this band resulted in KU winning the DownBeat Student Award (Graduate College Large Jazz Ensemble Division) in 2015.

While at OSU, Spaeth was a GTA for the saxophone studio and music theory programs. His responsibilities included Music Theory I-IV tutoring and grading, sight-singing grading, piano labs, classical and jazz saxophone lessons, saxophone quartet coaching, saxophone studio Webmaster, and saxophone studio class. Spaeth was a member of the OSU Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble 1. He had a regularly performing jazz trio and played in OSU's X2End saxophone quartet. The X2End quartet performed locally at the 2011 Navy Band Saxophone Symposium in Washington D.C., at the 2011 NASA Region IV Conference, and has won the state and division rounds of the 2010-2011 MTNA Chamber Music Competition. The X2End quartet went on to win the 3rd place prize at the national final round of the MTNA Chamber Music Competition. They also were the Division II Chamber Ensemble winners at the 2011 Hubbard Music Competition where they were awarded the 2nd place prize in the overall finals. Spaeth's final degree paper at OSU was a study of composer/performer collaboration. He traveled to Texas, Michigan, and Ohio to interview saxophonists and composers including David Dees, Peter Fischer, John Sampen, Marilyn Shrude, Joe Lulloff, and Charles Ruggiero. He has presented his lecture at the 2011 Navy Band Saxophone Symposium, the 2011 NASA Region IV Conference, and the 2012 OSU Single Reed Summit. As a member of OSU's Jazz Ensemble 1, he has performed with Bob Sheppard, Conrad Herwig, Wayne Bergeron, and Andy Martin.

While at SWOSU, Spaeth performed as a member of the marching band, wind ensemble, Jazz Ensemble A, saxophone quartet, and his own jazz combo named Five-Seven. As a member of SWOSU's Jazz Ensemble A, he has performed with Dan Haerle, Bob Bowman, Jack Mouse, Fred Forney, Janice Borla, Eddie Daniels, Pamela York, Lynn Seaton, Carl Allen, Dr. Michael Cox, Tom Williams, Dr. Robert Chambers, Dave Hanson, Drori Mondlak, Delores Williams, Byron Stripling, Frank Wess, Kenny Drew Jr., Dennis Mackrel, Bill Watrous, Rich Eames, Jennifer Leitham, and Randy Drake.

Spaeth's primary saxophone instructors have been Vince Gnojek, Dr. Jeffrey Loeffert, Dr. Ann Bradfield, Dr. Keith Talley, and William Rodney Hull. He has had additional instruction in lessons and masterclasses from Gary Foster, Dr. Joseph Murphy, Dr. Michael Cox, Bob Sheppard, Johnny Salinas, Dr. Kimberly Goddard Loeffert, Dr. Geoffrey Deibel, Dr. Jonathan Nichol, Dr. Griffin Campbell, Dr. James Laughlin, and Dr. David Dees. Spaeth's jazz directors have included Dan Gailey, Bob McCurdy, Dr. Jonathan Martin, Dr. Keith Talley, and Dr. Terry Segress.

​Spaeth enjoys recording several instruments in his home studio and composing new music. His compositions that have been performed include his big band arrangement of Cat Battles by Joshua Redman, September in the Refrain (alto saxophone and electronics), Funk-o-matic (jazz combo), Smooth (jazz combo), and The Deadline Arrives at Dawn (alto saxophone and electronics). As an advocate of new music involving the saxophone, he has participated in a commissioning consortium for Alone Together by composer David MacDonald through Kick Starter. In 2013, Spaeth performed the premier of Cuento #3 by Nelson Ramirez Diaz. During summer of 2014, he recorded selections from Dr. John Walker's "The Alto Saxophone in the Attic," published by Carl Fischer. At the 10th Annual SDSU/Brookings Optimist Jazz Festival in 2015, Spaeth directed SDSU Jazz Ensemble I's premier of Dog, Tired by David von Kampen.

​Dr. Spaeth is a Conn-Selmer Endorsing Artist. He hosted the North American Saxophone Alliance Region 3 (ND, SD, NE, MN, IA) Conference at South Dakota State University on March 17-18, 2017. On Saturday, April 8, 2017, Spaeth performed Dreams in the Dusk by David Biedenbender with South Dakota State University's Wind Symphony, directed by Dr. Jacob Wallace. On Monday, February 6, 2017, Spaeth performed the premiere of Lhotse for alto saxophone and percussion by Steve Danyew with Dr. Aaron Ragsdale. In April 2017, Spaeth performed solo tenor saxophone and orchestral clarinet in Ethan Bortnick's national PBS Special called "Generations of Music," which featured special guest, Peter Yarrow, from Peter, Paul and Mary.

Grammys.........

I play and teach all styles; Classical, rock, Broadway, jazz,pop, etc.....

I have performed at the world class, A-list level in all the above mentioned styles as well.

I believe it is critical to be humble, down to earth and easy to work with, no matter how accomplished, student, teacher, or parent. :)..................

gside a song you 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. Music lessons include:

1. Building a really strong foundation so it's easy to interpret or understand any part, and to play it with the right amount of practice.

2. Learning to sight-read music, so you can play it well as soon as possible.

3. Learning how to improvise (make-up) music, learn music by ear, and to understand and create chords, which lets you play music in different ways.

4. Play different styles from classical to jazz to popular music.

5. Learning how to practice efficiently so you can learn music as fast as possible.

6. Composing our own original music.

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? 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.

Learning an instrument is one of those few skills that will genuinely last you your whole life. 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.

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!

cher have come from when I work with students who just want to learn more.

***My Requirements***
Learning comes at a price, though. 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.

concerto competition winner with the BYU-Idaho Sinfonietta.

​I love the Inland Northwest, and try to take advantage of living in such a beautiful place.