St Columbans, NE Flute Lessons

Beginners: posture, breathing techniques, embouchure, sound production, articulation, phrasing, note reading
Intermediate: interpretation of different styles, dynamics, ensemble performance, building solid technique and stamina
Advanced: studying of orchestra excerpts, solo pieces, study of various concert and chamber music compositions

I am a professional flautist and have taught flute for more than 20 years to students of all age groups. Throughout my years teaching I have also been a part of a multitude of orchestras and chamber groups, held solo concerts, and done recordings for American composers.

During this time I have developed teaching methods and lesson plans starting with embrasure and breathing techniques and leading to strong memorization techniques through scales and arpeggios. I have also prepared students for solo and chamber music recitals, multiple who have gone to national and international level competitions.

I encourage my students to play music of all periods including classical as well as contemporary while keeping the environment of my lessons very friendly and fun.

I look forward to meeting you and teaching you all I have to offer!

I teach flute students of all levels.

I have taught and experienced teaching from intermediate to advance level of students. I have worked in private settings, as well, as with group of students for those who want some support from their peers. I've enjoyed it all! Currently, I am a private flute/piano instructor and I love using my gift for music to help people develop their musical skills.

During the class time, we will go over scales and practice for the hand posture and breathing techniques relevant to having deep, rich tones and a colorful sound that conveys emotion.
Teleman and Mozart are used for beginners, advancing to Chopin and then to Bach and Debussy.

In lessons, I will teach students how to develop an embouchure and make sound, have proper technique, discuss equipment care, how to read music and develop note recognition, and ultimately, play music. The goal is to get my students playing with proper technique, so that this will carry on throughout their career and playing of the instrument. After getting some sounds out of the instrument and having decent technique, students will be assigned 1-2 songs to work on each lesson. It is the learning of music on one's own, that I believe, truly challenges the student to continue to apply information given in lessons.

I have taught flute privately for over 8 years. I believe that lessons should be fun and informative. I also believe in hard work and collaboration. I expect students to be prepared for each lesson with all necessary materials and eager to learn new material each week. As I mentioned earlier, I believe lessons should be collaborative meaning that the student and I will decide together what materials are best suited for their goals and needs.

At age 12, I wanted to play piccolo in a marching band. though I was soon to be inspired by the amazing young musicians of the Seattle Youth Symphony and camp Orchestras under Maestro Vilem Sokol. Then thrilled to join them after having the good fortune of training with the then Seattle Symphony flute/piccolo players- Sidney and Adele Zeitlin, I began as a classical flute and voice major at WWSU in Bellingham.
My growing attraction to theater, then jazz, led me to Seattle UW San Francisco S U drama departments, while studying and playing every improvisational style of music from Brazilian to free form and pop/rock with many artists such as Paul Horn, Bobby McFerrin, Mark Murphy, Chuck Sher (Sher Music publisher), touring with renowned bebop vocalist, Jon Hendricks from the west coast to NYC,

Since then, I have performed voice, flute, and picollo in my own and others' numerous classical, jazz, pop, and theater ensembles, for over 45 years, teaching flute and voice since age 17 at

MISSION STATEMENT

To address each individual student’s needs and goals by developing a targeted approach that utilizes appropriate resources and practice techniques.

ABOUT

Jeff has been teaching and performing professionally for close to a decade. He enjoys teaching students of all ages and abilities, and specializes in woodwinds, jazz improvisation, and theory. Some of his past students have gone on to win prestigious soloist awards, achieve top seats in classical and jazz all-state festivals, and attend well respected universities for musical studies.