Flute Performance and Lessons
Experience
Education & Professional Affiliations
- BA, Music: Duke University (Durham, NC)
- Member: National Flute Association
- Member: Seattle Flute Society
Orchestral Positions Held
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Principal Flute: Lake Union Civic Orchestra (Seattle, WA): 2006 - Present
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Second Flute / Piccolo: Harmonia Seattle Orchestra & Chorus (Seattle, WA): 2012 - Present
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Second Flute / Piccolo: Emerald Ballet Theater Orchestra (Bothell, WA) 2009 - Present
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Third Flute / Piccolo: Cascade Symphony (Edmonds, WA): 2009 - 2012
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Guest flute and piccolo for Seattle area performing organizations including: Auburn Symphony (Auburn, WA), Northwest Sinfonietta (Tacoma, WA), Rainier Symphony (Tukwila, WA), Puget Sound Symphony Orchestra (Seattle, WA), Everett Chorale (Everett, WA), Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society (Seattle, WA) and Seattle Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra (Seattle, WA)
Solo Work
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Mozart Concerto for Flute and Harp – Lake Union Civic Orchestra, 2014
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Chaminade Concertino – Shoreline Concert Band, 2005
Upcoming Performances
Saturday, May 30, 2026 | 7:30pm - FEASTS & FANTASY
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First Free Methodist 3200 3rd Ave W, Seattle WA 98119
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Alfvén | Swedish Rhapsody No.1, Midsommarvaka
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Grieg | Piano Concerto
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with Judith Cohen, piano
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Sibelius | Symphony No.2
Beginner Adult Lesson Package
Even after playing the flute for over 40 years, I still love it, and I'm utterly convinced you will love it too. Try out this starter package for the complete beginner and start your musical journey today!
What's in the package?
For beginners, I offer a pack of 4 45-minute lessons for a bundled rate of $100. This gives you, a complete beginner or novice, a chance to get familiar with the flute and see if you catch the flute bug. But wait, there's more! You'll also receive 2 complimentary tickets to an upcoming Lake Union Civic Orchestra concert (a $50 value). Most of these concerts take place at First Free Methodist Church located next to the SPU campus, just a stone's throw away from Magnolia.
What are your qualifications?
I have a bachelor's degree in Music from Duke University, and I perform with community and professional orchestras in the Seattle area. I currently hold the principal flute position with the Lake Union Civic Orchestra as well as the second flute / piccolo position with Harmonia Seattle Orchestra and Chorus and the Emerald Ballet Theater Orchestra. In the past 20 years, I have performed with other orchestras and ensembles in the Puget Sound area, including the Auburn Symphony, Northwest Sinfonietta, Cascade Symphony, and Rainier Symphony.
Where do you teach?
I'm conveniently located in Magnolia near Discovery Park. There is plenty of free, easy street parking.
Can you travel to me?
Apologies, I cannot travel for lessons.
Can I take just one lesson from you to try it out?
For the complete beginner, I am very firm that you should give it at least four tries. Learning to make a sound can take a while for some students, and you want to give yourself a chance to experiment before you decide that the flute is not for you. If you are an intermediate player and want to see if we would work well together, contact me and we can discuss a trial lesson.
Is there a time limit that I have to use my 4 lessons within?
Plan to use your 4 lessons within 30 days of your first lesson. Depending on my schedule, we may be able to flex slightly on that arrangement. We do want to keep the overall duration down to ensure that your pace of learning stays as quick as possible.
Do you do makeup lessons? What is your reschedule or cancellation policy?
For the starter pack, if you give me 48 hours of notice, I allow one reschedule. After that, I may be able to reschedule a lesson with 48 hours notice, but I cannot guarantee that. If for some reason I need to reschedule (illness, emergency), I will notify you as soon as possible to work out a reasonable makeup time.
If I don't use all 4 lessons, do I get a refund?
The $100 lesson pack is non-refundable, even if you don't use all of your lessons. If you start to think that you won't use the remaining lessons, let's talk about what's happening that is holding you back.
What are your payment terms?
I accept Zelle and Venmo. I also accept cash on a case by case basis. I cannot accept personal checks, credit cards, or gift cards. Payment is due in full upon scheduling of your first lesson.
What times do you teach?
I typically teach during the days on weekends (10AM - 4PM) and on Monday and Tuesday evenings (4PM - 6PM). Contact me and we can select a time that works for us both.
What do I need to bring with me?
A flute in good operating condition, a willingness to try something new (even if you're nervous!), and, most importantly, your sense of humor!
How do I get a flute?
For about $40, you can rent a decent flute for a month from a reputable instrument dealer in the Seattle area. If after a month you find out that playing the flute is just not for you, you can return it (conditions as specified by the contract you sign with the shop). Contact me if you would like recommendations on where to rent one.
Can I borrow a flute from you?
Sadly no, I do not have instruments to lend or rent to students.
What about those cheap flutes from Amazon?
The default answer is to avoid, avoid, avoid! However, the answer for you depends on your situation. Some of those flutes actually get good reviews and come in lots of cool colors. Just make sure you plan to turn it into a lamp after a month or two and expect to invest in a better quality instrument to rent or buy if you want to keep learning. I don't recommend these as a serious investment because they can be difficult to play, much like a car with poor alignment, flat tires and faulty brakes can be difficult to drive, and above all, we want you to have a great experience learning the flute. This is most likely to happen with an instrument that plays well from the start! If you buy one of these instruments and we determine in your first lesson that it isn't playable, we won't be able to continue the series until you secure an instrument that is. Renting right from the start is your best path.
I just want to buy a flute from the start. What kind of flute should I get?
If you are a complete beginner, renting really is the way to go, especially since as you advance, you'll start to develop opinions about what flutes you like and don't like, but if having a flute of your very own would help you stay motivated, look for a reputable beginner brand. Some great brands include Yamaha, Trevor James, Pearl, Jupiter and Di Zhao. For something new, you can expect to pay $500 - $1000 for a basic, durable model (closed holes, C foot, silver plated - don't worry if these terms don't mean anything to you yet!). You can also find used instruments on sites like Reverb and eBay, but those instruments will likely need adjustments to play well, and at that point, you could have purchased something brand new.
I have an old flute in the closet from when I was a kid. Can I use that?
Mayyybe. Bring it with you at your first lesson and we'll have a look. If it's been sitting around, it proooobably needs some adjusting to get it playable, and we do want you to have the very best experience in learning. If it smells musty, that's a giveaway that it's probably not going to serve you well to start. Renting is truly the best thing you can do for your first month.
Do you repair flutes?
No, unfortunately I do not. If you need a recommendation for a reputable technician, contact me for references.
Do you teach kids?
Contact me and we can discuss!
Do you offer group lessons?
For beginners, no. Beginners benefit most from one on one guidance to help with tone production and holding the instrument properly.
Do you offer online lessons?
For beginners, no, as much of learning the flute comes from watching others up close and having immediate tactile feedback for what is working and what can be adjusted for more immediate success.
How much should I practice? What happens if I don't have time to practice before a lesson?
It's much better to practice every day for a little bit of time than all at once for a long time. Our brains learn fastest that way. A great place to start is 15 minutes per session, every day at the same time so that it becomes a habit. Any time of day works, so long as it's ok with the people you live with and it realistically does fit into your routine. I understand that life happens. None of us are perfect. Regardless of how much time you were able to practice, you should still come to your lesson. During the lesson, we can briefly strategize on ways to make practice easier to fit in.
What happens after I finish the starter pack?
There are a few possible outcomes. First, you may want to continue working together. In the last lesson, we can discuss frequency and rates. For beginners, I recommend continuing to meet weekly and budgeting for $50 per lesson, but we can discuss what works for us both. Second, you may decide that you truly love the flute but that I'm not the best teacher for you. And that's completely ok! All teachers are great, and all students are great, but not all matches between students and teachers are great. I have a network of excellent flutists that I work with who are delightful teachers and might be a better match for you. I would be happy to refer you to them. The third (and hopefully least likely!) path is that you might decide that playing the flute is not for you. You are under no obligation to continue working with me or with anyone, although I hope that you will be smitten with this beautiful instrument and keep pursuing it as part of a rich, musically rewarding life.