Update: September 2021. I am excited to be offering in-person lessons this fall to anyone who is fully vaccinated. We can keep 6 feet apart and I will allow a minimum of 15 minutes between students for the room to be empty and the air to settle. The only surface the student will need to touch is the front door and I will clean this between students.  I’m asking that the student come into the house with a mask on but they will remove it when they come into my studio. I will also be using a forehead thermometer.

Teaching Philosophy

I have been giving private lessons out of my home studio in the Bayridge area of Kingston for more than 25 years. Continuing professional development is important to me, and I have attended numerous masterclasses (e.g., with Emmanuel Pahud at Domaine Forget), and National Flute Association Conventions in the U.S. My focus in these masterclasses is both pedagogy, and performance. Drawing from my extensive experience, I have developed a variety of approaches and teaching techniques to customize flute lessons based on learning style and skill level for students aged 6 to senior.  I believe that it is important to have a positive environment at lessons and that students should be allowed to progress at their own rate.   At lessons, we work on technical skills and musicianship, while studying music chosen carefully for the level of the student, that is both challenging and enjoyable. Although the emphasis in lessons will be on classical repertoire, I encourage my students to try all styles of music including jazz, pop, ethnic, and contemporary music. When my students are ready, I will play the piano accompaniment along with them so that they can better understand the complete work, and experience the fun and satisfaction of a collaborative performance.

I very much enjoy developing and encouraging an interest in and ability to play the flute in my students, and I take particular satisfaction from their accomplishments. A number of my students have gone on to pursue careers in music, but more broadly, my students have enjoyed being able to play the flute and appreciate music as an interest enriching their lives.

Why Study Music

Aside from the joy of participation in music for children and adults alike, the international scientific community has repeatedly proven that children involved in the study of music perform better in school, and people of all ages live happier lives. Musical training positively affects self-discipline, concentration, problem-solving, learning strategies, work habits, creativity, self-confidence and self-esteem. Adults and seniors that play a musical instrument benefit greatly from music’s soothing, stress-relief effect, and experience far less loneliness and depression. The international medical community suggests a strong link between healthier life and playing a musical instrument – from lower blood-pressure, better memory skills, to a more active social life.

Performance Opportunities

I encourage my students to perform at the Kiwanis Music Festival and many of my students have won awards. “The Kingston Kiwanis Music Festival nurtures a friendly, mainly non-competitive atmosphere where amateur performers of all ages can enjoy performing and hearing others perform, while at the same time gaining new artistic insights from experienced adjudicators.”  Performing at the Kiwanis Music Festival provides them with an opportunity to get experience performing in front of others, as well as a goal to focus on when preparing and practicing repertoire.

For more than 25 years, at least one student of mine has played with the Kingston Youth Orchestra. I am happy to help a sufficiently advanced student prepare the necessary audition and offer guidance with the repertoire.

RCM Examinations are internationally recognized as a system of evaluations that enable students, teachers and parents to measure a student’s progress within a time-tested framework. The self-discipline developed by setting and working towards the goal of an examination will be valuable in all other aspects of a student’s life. The positive and constructive feedback received after each examination is designed to contribute to a student’s sense of accomplishment and to help setting future goals.   The Ontario Ministry of Education recognizes certain grades as secondary school Arts credits. If my student and parents are interested, I will prepare you for these examinations.

My Annual Student Recital in June gives all of my students and their parents an opportunity to celebrate the success of the past year.