Willernie, MN Flute Lessons

further broadened my background by accompanying church choirs and congregations, playing for weddings, and volunteering to lead children’s music time at church.

I love music of all kinds and have a strong belief that everyone should experience the joy and power of it in his or her life. It is very rewarding for me to help students develop their skills as they discover a meaningful way of self-expression using a universal language. Teaching music is something I love to do and I know that fact reflects to my students resulting in an enjoyable experience for them as well.

*** Lesson Details ***
What can a student/parent expect from lessons with me? I can provide my students with a solid foundation of proper technique. This is so very important because you do not ever want to have to unlearn bad habits. I also include appropriate music theory, ear training and improvising for each level. I purposefully pace the lessons to prevent students from feeling frustrated. Instead, I work to generate excitement about the learning process and keep students motivated by their own progress. Furthermore, I am willing to accommodate a student if they have a special interest in a certain musical genre or a personal goal they are working towards. I encourage, but do not require students to take advantage of recital and performance opportunities that I provide.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Large music room: piano, electric keyboard, flute, clarinet, trumpet, music stands.
*** Specialties ***
I have a lot of experience teaching students who are brand new to their instrument. I believe the beginning is a very important time to start building a solid foundation for all future musical growth. I love being able to help my students establish good habits from the beginning and influence the overall direction of a new student’s musical experience.

I love music of all kinds and have fun playing and teaching all the instruments that I listed. However, the two instruments that I have the most training on and have performed on are the piano and the flute. I would be a great teacher for private lessons to help a student excel in band at school or for a high school student preparing for contests or auditions. Also, I am very patient with beginners and would be ideal as a child'€™s first piano teacher or for an adult who has always wanted to play a certain instrument of his or her choice.

orm a wider range of music

*** Studio Equipment ***
Most instruments

*** Travel Equipment ***
I expect the student to provide an instrument, method book, stand and supplies for that instrument. I will bring an instrument to play along and model.

*** Specialties ***
Kodaly and Orff methods

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!

*** Check out my Facebook page here ***
https://www.facebook.com/NorthAtlantaFluteLessons/

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.

I have developed a teaching method that is efficient and creative, and is backed by over thirty years of professional performing experience.

ian and band program can benefit from music lessons and looks forward to helping you all achieve your best potential!

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es at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, she was a rotating principal of the Oberlin Orchestra, and performed in the orchestra at Chicago Symphony Center as a part of their 150th-Anniversary tour. At Oberlin, Dame appeared frequently as an ensemble-member for faculty concerto recordings. She has appeared in the Schikele Bassoon Concerto and the Augusta Reed Thomas Bassoon Concerto released on the Oberlin and Naxos labels on the album Full Moon in the City. She has also appeared in recordings of the Carter Flute Concerto and the Trigos Guitar Concerto No. 1 (forthcoming releases). In addition to her orchestral opportunities at Oberlin, Dame has attended the Pierre Monteux School and Festival, the Miami Summer Music Festival, and the Bach Institute at Emmanuel Music. She also has a love for chamber music, and performs regularly with her Oberlin-based group, the Amaryllis Trio, consisting of flute, cello and piano.

Dame has recently graduated from Oberlin College and Conservatory, where she received a Bachelor of Music in flute performance and a Bachelor of Arts in biology as a part of the college’s double-degree program. She has recently begun a Master of Music degree at the Peabody Conservatory.