Flute Lessons
for beginner, intermediate, advanced and adult students in the East Bay
BEGINNER FLUTE LESSONS
Let’s make learning to play the flute fun! With beginner flute learners, we focus on the foundations, including learning tone, rhythm, scales and basic music theory.
One of the most important things that beginners need to learn is how to create a consistent and beautiful tone on the flute. We open each lesson with a series of warm-up exercises to improve tone.
After that we’ll use a flute method book to focus on tone, rhythm, scales and reading music, by playing songs that highlight those skills. We’ll also learn how to play soundtracks and pop songs to ensure learning is fun.
Younger students or those with smaller hands may begin learning these skills with the recorder, transitioning to the flute when they’re ready.
Areas of focus for beginner flute lessonsCreating a consistent and beautiful tone
Practicing scales
Incorporating rhythm into music playing
Learning music theory & how to read music
Establishing a regular time for practice & approaching practice with fun
Building stage presence skills & confidence
Our daughter's music teacher highly recommended Tori, and we are so glad we followed her recommendation! Tori has a magic way to connect with kids and to impart her love for the flute. The strong connection that Tori has established with our daughter is a key motivator for our daughter to practice the flute regularly and to progress.
CHRISTINE, parent of elementary school student
INTERMEDIATE FLUTE LESSONS
If you’ve been playing for a few years, you’re ready to take on more challenges as an intermediate flute learner.
The beginning of each lesson is focused on warm-ups to fine-tune fundamental skills, including tone, scales, rhythm and vibrato. Then, we’ll work with a piece of music that you may be working on in school, for a solo or to prepare for an audition. We’ll explore this piece in depth, allowing you to improve on the fundamentals and discover the artistry in your flute playing.
We may also choose to use a flute method book to deepen your studies. These guided lessons feature musical pieces focused on a specific key and allows you to dive more deeply into those fundamental techniques of scales, vibrato and rhythm and apply them to pieces.
Because learning music should be fun, we’ll be sure to make time for some flute arrangements of pop music and soundtracks.
AREAS OF FOCUS FOR INTERMEDIATE FLUTE LESSONSDeveloping consistent finger technique through scales and finger exercises
Learning some extended techniques to aid tone production and lip flexibility (i.e. harmonics, flutter tongue, and whistle tones)
Incorporating vibrato in a consistent and thoughtful manner
Troubleshooting any problematic body posture or hand positioning
Preparing for studio recitals, including how to come to stage with a prepared and confident approach
Dealing with nerves and performance anxiety when playing in school ensembles
I've taken lessons with Tori for five years, and I have grown so much as a musician in that time because Tori is relentlessly supportive and uplifting of all of her students' musical journeys. She pays close attention to technique, musicality, and tone quality, and her seasonal recitals allow for her students to support each other and share their hard work!
Anjali, high school studentADVANCED FLUTE LESSONS
Advanced students are looking to take their playing to the next level by focusing on the finest details of music-making. Many students are preparing to audition for competitive summer programs or higher groups in their youth orchestra, while others are competing for awards and applying and auditioning for music programs at universities and conservatories.
We’ll devote the first part of each lesson to improving your fundamentals, including tone, scales, rhythm and vibrato. Following these warm-ups, we delve into an etude that develops your musicality and technique. Finally, we end by dissecting challenging pieces that you may use for concerto or soloist competitions or auditions for university or professional ensembles.
My students have participated and won competitions, including the California High School All State Honor Band, National Flute Association High School Flute Choir, Junior Bach Festival, San Diego Flute Guild Youth Artist Competition, Bay Area Creative Foundation Scholarship, Great Composers Competition, and Silicon Valley Music Competition.
I’ve also had several students participate in summer programs, including Northern California Flute Camp, Floot Fire, Philadelphia International Music Camp, C’est Bon Chamber Music Academy, and InterHarmony International Music Festival.
Among the youth orchestras my students have played in are the Golden State Youth Orchestra, California Youth Symphony, California Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, and Young People’s Symphony Orchestra.
Students who are pursuing university degrees have been accepted at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music, Stanford, University of Miami Frost School of Music, University of California Santa Barbara School of Music, and University of Redlands Conservatory of Music.
AREAS OF FOCUS FOR ADVANCED FLUTE LESSONSImproving fundamental skills and techniques, including tone, rhythm, scales and vibrato
Practicing good body positioning, posture and flexibility of the lips to produce the most power and avoid any future injuries
Building lung capacity and increasing depth, quality and efficiency of the breath to be able to play long phrases
Learning how to audition, including how to find an accompanist and how to record yourself
Developing good email skills for communicating with audition coordinators, teachers and professors
Dealing with performance anxiety & cultivating kindness towards yourself, especially when learning something new
Tori is patient and supportive, and really knows how to motivate students. She’s great at building confidence and keeping lessons engaging through a variety of activities that improve articulation, rhythm and tuning. I would recommend Tori not only to students who are taking band in school but also for people looking for help on audition prep. As a student, I feel supported and pushed to learn and try new techniques. I also gain valuable feedback that helps me to improve. I love my lessons with Tori and look forward to learning more with her in the future!
Emma, HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTADULT FLUTE LESSONS
Falling in love (or back in love) with playing the flute can be a rewarding experience for adult learners! Whether you are a beginner or returning to the flute after time away, I’ll help you connect with the fundamentals and explore the fun of playing as an adult.
Each class will be customized to your skill level. We’ll use method books to help you focus on the fundamentals of tone, scales, rhythm and vibrato.
I’ll also invite you to bring in pieces you’d like to learn — ensuring you’re creating a flute playing practice that is fun and enriching for you.
AREAS OF FOCUS FOR ADULT FLUTE LESSONSLearning music theory & how to read music
Developing consistent finger technique through scales and finger exercises
Learning or deepening your understanding of the fundamentals, including producing a consistent and beautiful tone, rhythm and vibrato
Practicing good body positioning and address old habits that may cause injury
Creating space in your life for flute practice and approaching your practice with fun
Tori is brilliant! She's helped me reconnect with playing after a 30+ year hiatus! Fingering, embouchure, musical notation and more - Her instructions are clear and always helpful. And her focused, yet lighthearted approach keeps the learning fun and fruitful!
Steve, Adult StudentMASTER CLASSES
Designed for school settings, my master classes explore fundamental skills to support players in finding their best and most authentic sound.
Master classes provide a unique and beneficial way of learning. By listening to others play and hearing the feedback they get from the teacher, students hone their listening skills and hear comments they might not hear about their own playing. I find myself really coming alive with joy and energy when teaching master classes.
Areas of focus for Flute Master ClassesFinding the student’s best tone
Discussing the meaning of the piece
Helping the student bring out their passion in the music
Helping the student play in the most convincing way possible through working on the phrasing
