Elissa B
Instruments: Flute, Piccolo
Styles: Classical
Elissa B
Instruments: Flute, Piccolo
Styles:
Classical
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 7-80
Master Degree: University of Texas at Austin Butler School of Music, Bachelor Degree: University of Southern California Thornton School of Music, Professional Certificate: San Francisco Conservatory of Music
Second Flute & Piccolo, Philadelphia Ballet
Freelance Professional Musician
KESTON Max Fellowship to perform with London Symphony Orchestra
Concerto Performance Winner
Hello! I have recently moved to the Philadelphia area to perform as the second flute and piccolo in the Philadelphia Ballet as well as other groups in the area. I hold three degrees in classical flute performance from accredited institutions where I have studied with flute greats such as Jim Walker, Marianne Gedigian, and Timothy Day, and have performed all over the country in various professional orchestras and in chamber and solo events. I am a dedicated teacher who loves working with students of all ages and passing down my knowledge of my instrument to the next generation.
I have been teaching since college, where I frequently filled in as a substitute for private and group lessons and offered coaching to other music students who were pursuing flute as a secondary instrument. I then taught several students at several middle schools during my time in Texas for my master's. Now, I hold a private studio for private lessons in person and over Zoom. I love teaching and encourage my students to both develop discipline and great practice habits as well as have fun and pursue their individual interests on the instrument. I want to help each and every student achieve his or her goals, whether those are taking up a new hobby for fun, keeping up in band or orchestra at school, or pursuing music in college or professionally.
I like to tailor each lesson to a student's personal goals and skill level. If the student is a beginner, I typically begin with the method book Flute 101 to learn the appropriate fingerings, sound production, posture, etc. If the student does not have a prior musical background, we will also discuss note reading, ear training, and other aspects of musical education. If the student already knows the basic fundamentals of the instrument, I like to have a discussion about what the student is looking to achieve from their lessons. This might be to learn to play specific pieces that they like, to gain help with something they are struggling in, to win first chair in their school ensemble, to win a competition, or to get into college as a musician, among many other things. With those goals in mind, I like to take a holistic approach to the learning process. We will work on developing a great tone, mastering technique, playing with strong intonation, and learning how to phrase and play expressively within the different types of music. This will be achieved through long tones, scales, etudes, and pieces that correspond to each student's level. I like to encourage each student to bring in pieces that they are interested in learning and to listen to other flutists online or in concerts so that we always have something to aspire to.
The most important thing is that each student feels enjoyment and inspiration from their lessons. While I think it is necessary to stay on topic and have boundaries, beyond that, my teaching style is often unique to the student. Some students move at a quick paces and move through repertoire quickly, while others need more time to process and work. As long as the student is regularly practicing, there will be no pressure to perform a certain way. I like to have my students set reasonable goals for themselves, whether it is to kick a bad habit, learn a particular piece, or perform in a recital or competition. This keeps them motivated and excited. I'm always willing to be flexible or adjust to a student's needs, and come to every lesson energized and prepared.
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