Janesville, WI 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

*** Travel Equipment ***
I can travel with a sax, flute, guitar, electric bass, and a didgeridoo....

*** Specialties ***
I'm a jazz musician! But I listen to and perform all styles of music. I have written string quartets, been the front man for a funk band, and recorded every style of music under the sun. I can teach Bach and the Beatles and explain how/ and why they intersect and are similar musically.

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.

is on scales, theory, and also some duet playing. I also like to incorporate some music history into each lesson. I feel that each student needs to work from known to the new areas. I often use supplementary materials (solos or small ensembles) to reinforce my teaching.

ning. Our method is a complete system for learning the piano that includes books, CDs, rewards, teaching materials, musical story books and video tutorials accessible online. When you Join us, you will become part of a creative and dynamic studio! You will learn how to see the connections present in music and to transfer all that knowledge to other aspects of your lives. I hope to meet you soon to start a very exciting musical learning journey!

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.