My passion for playing the flute has been cultivated over 40 years since my first time testing my student Bundy flute at 9 years old. I did not have a private instructor, I learned as most did in the 80’s, by taking band in elementary school. It was my love of music and my expression of emotion through my instrument that has created my life-long love of playing the flute. I believe that there is more to playing an instrument than achieving technical excellence. An instrument can also be a way to communicate feelings of the player or of a song, executing sounds that are dynamic and rich with colors.
I have mentored both young and adult instrumentalists throughout my life on basics, technique, tone, style and playing with emotion. Most recently, I play in a contemporary Christian rock band and have developed a method of improvisation and writing my own arrangements that can be used for any genre of music.
Improvisation is easier with a good ear but can be done with good music theory and technical skill. I believe music to be an extension of my soul and I love to add variety by incorporating various styles and techniques as well as other wind instruments like the Irish Penny Whistle when I play with others. It is good to be a versatile player and love all genres of music and I have learned over the years how to add beautiful flair to any song. My many years of musical study of theory and playing both the flute and the piano has made me adept on underlying structure and transposition. Though I personally rely heavily on my ears, I can teach others how to transpose keys and know tools to use that can simplify the process even for a fairly new player.
Whether you are a beginning flutist or an adult who hasn’t picked up your instrument in 10 or 20 years and needs a refresher course, I can guide you to playing with ease and joy! If you are an adult and would love to learn how to break away from your classical instruction mold and improvise in jazz, blues, Irish or rock music, I can show you my method for doing this successfully and have you playing along with your favorite recordings or joining a band in no time!
I have mentored both young and adult instrumentalists throughout my life on basics, technique, tone, style and playing with emotion. Most recently, I play in a contemporary Christian rock band and have developed a method of improvisation and writing my own arrangements that can be used for any genre of music.
Improvisation is easier with a good ear but can be done with good music theory and technical skill. I believe music to be an extension of my soul and I love to add variety by incorporating various styles and techniques as well as other wind instruments like the Irish Penny Whistle when I play with others. It is good to be a versatile player and love all genres of music and I have learned over the years how to add beautiful flair to any song. My many years of musical study of theory and playing both the flute and the piano has made me adept on underlying structure and transposition. Though I personally rely heavily on my ears, I can teach others how to transpose keys and know tools to use that can simplify the process even for a fairly new player.
Whether you are a beginning flutist or an adult who hasn’t picked up your instrument in 10 or 20 years and needs a refresher course, I can guide you to playing with ease and joy! If you are an adult and would love to learn how to break away from your classical instruction mold and improvise in jazz, blues, Irish or rock music, I can show you my method for doing this successfully and have you playing along with your favorite recordings or joining a band in no time!