Flute Lessons
What type of flute lessons are you interested in?
School-Age Flute Students
Beginners through accomplished school-age flutists are welcome to advance their flute playing with an expert teacher at FFMS!
Beginner students who are just learning to assemble the flute and produce a sound can benefit from solid, expert instruction. Advancing students might be looking to refine their tone and technique, move up a chair in their school band, or might be considering a music degree in college.
Every student will benefit from learning techniques for managing their breathing and airflow, exercises to develop finger technique, as well as learn effective practice strategies. FFMS flute students lay a solid foundation of musical skills which include acquiring a steady beat, understanding and accurately performing rhythmic notation, sight-reading, and basic music theory.
Christine is an experienced teacher who is well-equipped to help flutists at any level grow having studied with a Julliard-trained flutist who learned from Julius Baker, in addition to pursuing helpful pedagogical insights from other internationally recognized flutists.
Flute students can start lessons at any time once the student has reached the age that their school offers band (typically in fourth or fifth grade).
*In-person flute lessons are currently restricted to students vaccinated for COVID-19. Proof of vaccination is required. Flute students will need to obtain a special mask (teacher will recommend).
A recital is planned for April and students typically will have other less formal opportunities to play for others as well.
Recommendations
It is recommended that elementary-school aged students take 30 minute lessons. After elementary school, 45 minute lessons are recommended to allow more time for learning.
Most school-age students are capable of attending lessons on their own, however an adult should remain onsite and available during the lesson time. A waiting area with Wi-Fi is available.
Beginner flutists enrolled in lessons are expected to practice 3-5 days a week for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Students who are progressing in their studies will generally find that they enjoy the increased progress that comes from increasing the amount of practice time. Parents of younger students will need to help facilitate practice as students grow in their ability to practice effectively over time.
$31-$62/lesson. One full term of enrollment is required (approximately 20 lessons, pro-rated if starting mid-term).
Book a trial lesson to discover how flute lessons can contribute to flourishing on the flute! Trial lessons are offered at a reduced fee of $15/lesson, limit two.
(*Students will need to bring their own flute if they want to play the flute during a trial lesson. At present, only vaccinated students may attend in-person lessons. A special mask will be provided and must be worn during lessons by the student. HEPA filters will be running.)
“I found lessons with Christine to be extremely effective and a lot of fun!” —Elise, First Chair, First Band Flute (Arkansas High School All-State Band)
Adult Flute Students
The flute is an instrument that can be picked up at any age, and can be a relaxing and enjoyable activity that fits into even a busy lifestyle! Christine truly enjoys the excitement that her adult flute students bring to lessons. Adult flute students may have never played music before, or might have previously studied the flute and would like help brushing up on their skills. (Advanced adult students please skip to the section below). Private lessons can help a student learn faster, avoid frustration, and expose one to new skills and new music.
Adult students are assessed for their current level of musical skills, asked about their current goals, and then lessons are customized for the student. All flute students will learn techniques for improving their breathing and breath control, posture and hand position, and increase their body awareness. Students will also work on articulation, vibrato, reading notation, basic music theory and more.
Recommendations
It is recommended that most adults take 45 minute lessons. 30, 45, and 60 minute lessons are available.
Some adults aren’t sure if they will have enough practice time to make progress. In the teacher’s experience, if you can find a few 10 to 15 minute increments to practice during the week, you will be surprised at how much progress you can make with the guidance of a teacher.
Adult students are encouraged, but not required to enroll for a term of lessons to ensure a regular reserved lesson time. Lessons may also be scheduled one at a time, when the teacher has availability on her calendar.
*In-person flute lessons are currently restricted to students vaccinated for COVID-19. Proof of vaccination is required.
$31-$62/lesson.
Book a trial lesson to discover how flute lessons can contribute to your flourishing on the flute! Trial lessons are offered at a reduced fee: $15/lesson, limit two.
(Students will need to bring their own flute if they want to play during the trial lesson. At present, only vaccinated students may attend in-person lessons. A special mask will be provided and must be worn during lessons by the student. HEPA filters will be running).
“Since childhood I’ve been enamored with the warmth of the flute sound. However, I started flute study with Christine at my 60th birthday. Music is a sanctuary for me. The challenge of the flute, its history, repertoire, being an active participant in the music world, and obtaining a skillset one can never lose are a few of the reasons I wanted to study.” –Jeff N.
Advanced Flute Students
Christine Taylor has taught the flute to music majors at two universities, performed as principal flute in a professional orchestra, placed first alternate in a National Flute Association competition, and presented about pedagogy to her peers. While she was an active teacher supporting school programs in Arkansas, her junior high and high-school level students regularly took the top seats in All-Region and All-State Competitions, proving that her knowledge of flute playing, along with her skilled and insightful coaching, produce results.
Christine is equipped to help advanced students and fellow professionals achieve greater comfort in their breathing, air control, and overall freedom of technique. In addition, she can help players become more secure in performance through learning more effective practice techniques.
As a Berneking Scholar on a full-ride scholarship to the University of Minnesota, she studied under a Juilliard-trained flutist who had studied with the renowned Julius Baker. She supplemented her studies with pedagogy from other accomplished flutists and various teachers of the Alexander Technique. Through her training she gained a deeper understanding of the flute, breathing and body position, as well as refined her musical artistry, all of which she is able to pass on to her students.
Lessons are available by term, or if her schedule allows, on a lesson by lesson basis. Christine is also available as a clinician and presenter.
*In-person flute lessons are currently restricted to students vaccinated for COVID-19. A special mask will be provided and must be worn during lessons by the student. HEPA filters will be running.
$31-$62/lesson.
“Flute lessons with Christine helped me advance to a higher level and prepared me for college as a Music Performance Major. Her approach to posture and breathing gave me a high endurance not only for flute performances, but for piccolo as well. I have always been praised for my unique tone and endurance and Christine’s teachings specifically helped to shape my style, as well as my overall love for music and performing.” —Caitlin (Smith) Bobel B.A. in Music
Online Flute Lessons
Online flute lessons are delivered ‘live’. Please read the appropriate sections above on School-Age, Adult or Advanced Lessons for more information that is relevant to online lessons.
Students taking lessons online will need to be able to meet certain technology requirements for effective online lessons including having high-speed internet, a laptop or tablet (smartphones are too small for proper observation of techniques) and the ability to set up a camera angle for the teacher to adequately observe the student’s playing. Contact the studio for more information.