Whether you’re a parent of a young child interested in learning the flute, a highly motivated and serious flutist aiming for competitive auditions, a student wanting to feel more confident in band class, or an adult musician (at any level!), I would love to work with you! I welcome a broad range of students of varying ages and levels into my studio. I wouldn’t have it any other way!
My job is to guide students on their musical journeys by figuring out how each student learns, helping them set appropriate goals, charting out a course to reach those goals and working to build their self-confidence. I also do my best to inspire them to share their music with others!
My hope is that students will take what they learn in lessons and use it to somehow make a difference in their lives and the lives of others, either by sharing their music within their communities as performers or teachers, or by becoming avid music and arts supporters. It’s the ripple effect I’m after – I like to think I’m passing on both musical gems and valuable life lessons that I’ve learned from my mentors, colleagues and experiences. I hope these lessons keep rippling on!
“You create positive ripples into this world every time you offer a kind word, loving action, empowering insight or smile because whoever receives it passes it on to someone who then passes it on, who then passes it on, who then passes it on, who then passes it on, who then passes it on!” – Karen Salmansohn
I have taught all levels for over 25 years, from pre-school beginners to advanced college music majors. While I hold the Doctorate of Music in Flute Performance and Pedagogy (Indiana University), most of what I’ve learned comes from years of teaching experience in a variety of settings.
In the past decade I’ve delved into the area of early childhood flute instruction with training in the Suzuki Method (through Level 2) and Kinderflute, both methods that incorporate fun activities and encourage creativity and imagination in teaching. I am also a creative member of Flute Play, an international community of flute teachers who explore and share ways to incorporate play and games into children’s flute lessons.
While I primarily teach private lessons I also teach a class at the Field School and frequently work with the flute sections in several area middle school bands. In addition to my flute teaching I have been a co-director of Crozet Arts’ Twinkle Project, a spirited, colorful and creative interdisciplinary arts workshop for children. Teaching is an integral part of my life as an artist – I can’t imagine my life without it!
Please check out my concert bio here.
Whether I’m teaching in person or online I strive to create a warm environment where students feel safe to explore and ask questions as they learn to play the flute and discover the joys of music. Individualized lessons focus on creating a beautiful sound, developing motor skills, finger facility and general flute technique, learning practice strategies, and building a solid understanding of rhythm and music theory fundamentals – all through various fun activities, music games, imaginative play, movement, songs, etudes and flute repertoire.
I encourage an inquisitive, experimental approach to problem solving because I believe this mindset will help students thrive in and beyond their musical studies. The connections made to what they’ve learned in school, the bursts of curiosity, the “ah-hahs!” and sparks of inspiration bring me great joy. So do unbridled squeals of delight from a child making a sound for the first time!
We are definitely thankful for your immense role in N’s life – you are an incredible mentor and we think you are a big reason she is more mature and kind. – Parent e-mail, November 2022
Just a note of thanks for being so wonderful with EK…I have watched her bloom under your study and think you both are cut from the same beautiful cloth. We are so grateful our paths have crossed! – Parent note, January 2021
[…….] absolutely loves playing the flute. We talked about it last week, and she was horrified at the mere suggestion that she may want to stop or break for the fall. So, she’s all in! Thank you for taking her on, even in this strange time. It’s given her a lot of confidence in herself, which is something she’s really needed these past few months. She’s not always very demonstrative or emotive, but learning the flute has meant the world to her, so thank you so, so much. – Parent e-mail, August 2020
She’d love to resume sessions with you. In her mind when we talked of it, there were no if, and’s or but’s about it… she HAD to keep playing flute. Thanks for fostering her love of music. – Parent e-mail, May 2020
Working with Elizabeth has been so good for my daughter. I prioritize music lessons because of the research on brain development, creativity, success in life, confidence. I really wanted her to be musically literate. She has gotten so much more than that though, through her relationship with Elizabeth. I have seen such strides in her under Elizabeth: her confidence in herself, her poise, her sense of being likable (Elizabeth always makes her feel accepted), the lesson of improving through practice, her pride in her playing, her commitment to a learning path. The whole family is very proud of my daughter’s progress in musical literacy and the increasing beauty of her performances. We are lucky to have a teacher of Elizabeth’s caliber in Crozet. – Parent testimonial, July 2019
