Flute, Recorder & Theory Programs, Private Lessons & Concert Recitals

Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.

A. Preparing students for competitions and teaching them how to make the best sound. Who wants to pay a ticket to hear a musician with a bad sound?!

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. I'm a professional and this is the way I make my living. I'm not the maid or baby sitter and my ttme is scheduled just like anyone's. I require payments on time and prompt communication about lesson times and scheduling changes. It really makes my day go better! :)

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. Anyone can learn to read music and play an instrument. People often say I don't have musical talent-I couldn't do that. It's easier than you think! Of course getting to Carnegie Hall is another story, as with perfecting anything-practicing (a lot) and innate talent makes better!

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. You need a flute! But I can help you with that. My flute connections with flute makers and music instrument companies is extensive so, please, before you have an unhappy Internet purchase experience, consult me for the best deals and appropriate flute for you. Knowledge is power!

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. Attention to detail
Unique education
Years of specialized experience In Europe, Canada, USA
Stays Professionally current
Entreprenuerial Skills
Creates creative, cutting edge projects for the community
Commited Advocate for the Fine Arts
Community Volonteer for Children in the Arts

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. The Students! It always amazes me how much I learn from them.

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. "Do I have to study seriously or can it be just for fun?"
I think I get that question a lot because of my experience and titles. Some professionals will only teach experienced students. The best lesson to me is when a student is engaged and loves what they do -period.

Q. Do you have a favorite story from your work?

A. A 6 year old in flute choir ensemble turns to her music stand mate who is not feeling to well and says: "don't worry, Dr. September will make you feel better! She's a flute doctor!"
I enjoy explaining that DMA stands for Doctor of Musical Arts.

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. Anyone can learn to read music and play an instrument.
Of course, the way to Carnegie Hall takes a lot of practice (work and sacrifice) and innate talent, as with perfecting anything in life.

Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?

A. At a high school assembly I heard a music recital and the most glorious sound from one of my school band's graduate students. She played in the Montreal Symphony at a very early age and inspired me. From that moment on, I never looked back. Her name was Carolyn Christie-thanks Carolyn!

Q. Tell us about a recent job you did that you are particularly proud of.

A. Inviting and hosting the world's most famous classical musician of our time to teach Southern Californian flute over 300 students in a master class-Sir James Galway, "The Man with the Golden Flute".
As a friend and mentor to me over the years it was a privileged to spend personal professional time with him and to pass his teachings on the the next generation of rising stars.

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. I attend professional seminars for both performing and teaching every year like the National Flute Association, 3 day conference and getting a performing tune up at Hidden Valley, in Pebble Beach, from Keith Underwood with 15 other profesionals a year. It's like old home week catching up with the latest with colleagues. Plus I get to walk the hallowed golf grounds of the US Open and ride my bike on 17 mile drive!

Q. What are the latest developments in your field? Are there any exciting things coming in the next few years or decade that will change your line of business?

A. Of course we are in a very exciting digital and electronic age. We have so many tools at our disposal for listening, recording and viewing music and marketing.
Face book and being able to give lessons via Skype, the Internet and computer camera has enabled us to reach across the ocean and do business.

Q. Describe your most recent project, what it involved, how much it cost, and how long it took.

A. Again the Sir James Galway project had 3 weeks notice to raise $5,000 and organize power point and video presentastions. It was a huge sucess.

Q. If you have a complicated pricing system for your service, please give all the details here.

A. My studio pricing system is not complicated but it requires at least 1 month payment in advance. I prefer the entire semester payment but am flexible with that.

Q. If you were advising someone who wanted to get into your profession, what would you suggest?

A. You have to really want it, like professional sports. On the outside it looks glamerous and if you reach the top it is! Be prepared to give up a lot-social life for your younger years, TV, texting! Can you find 3-4 minimum a day to practice? You must listen to Classical music constantly and read the great scores and essays written. To be sucessful you have to eat, sleep breath this field.

Q. What is your greatest strength?

A. Enabling others to be the best they can be through developmental skills and concepts. Imparting knowledge. Teaching specifically "How to" instead of just
"Do".
Patience
Methodology
Organization

Q. Write your own question and answer it.

A. What is it that most people, incuding some professional Classical musicians don't realize about music?

Your instrument is just a tool to get closer to knowing music and being a musician. What is being a musician really mean? That's a huge topic-more on that in a future blog. Being a flute player is not necessarilty being a musician. You may know about the flute but not really about great music or how to play it. One of my teachers, Marcel Moyse, the flute pedagogue of all time said "I'd rather be called a great artist than a great flute player."