Address:
3323 Carmel Mountain Rd
San Diego, CA 92121
Get directions
- Customer travels
Studio locations are in Carmel Valley, San Diego, and Rancho Bernardo.
For your free half-hour lesson and consultation, contact Dr. September Payne. It is a privilege and pleasure to guide flutists of all ages and levels to discover and improve their understanding and appreciation of music through the flute. Experience the joy of music!
Pricing, programs, and more biographical information about Dr. Payne and Music West are available upon request.
September Payne is a San Diego State University Flute and Music History Professor Emeritus, San Diego Chamber Orchestra flute substitute, founder of Music West, and co-founder of San Diego Coastal Flutes.
Dr. Payne has hosted numerous international virtuoso musicians in concert and master class to the San Diego area, such as flutists Sir James Galway, Carol Wincenc, Italian Raffale Trevisani, Leone Buyse, French modernist Cecile Daroux, Canadian tenor Dan McMillan, harpsichordist Igor Kipnis, German pianist Dr. Andreas Kleine, Dr. Anne Schnoeblin, music lecturer/historian, James Moody, legendary jazz saxophonist, and more.
As a performing concert flutist, Dr. Payne is available for hire for concert private events, lecture recitals, master classes, adjudication, and conducting.
Dr. Payne specializes in private flute and adult and children's recorder programs, flute recital performance, flute choir, music theory, youth symphony, and college audition preparation. Ask about the summer flute camp!
She is certified in the following:
* California's Certificate of Merit program
* The Sir James Galway method of flute playing
* Marcel Moyse French School of Flute playing method
She is a member of the following:
* California Music Teachers Association
* MENC
* Marcel Moyse Society-Board Member
* The National Flute Association
* American Federation of Musicians Union
* Phi Kappa Lambda-Music Honor Society
* San Diego Coastal Flutes - co-founder
* San Diego Flute Guild - past president and life member
* California Learning Music Studios - flute teacher
* Houston Flute Club
* Flutewise-Flute Society - founded by Jeanne Galway
November 27, 2011
I have known September for almost 20 years and her dedication to teaching music and flute is an inspiration to all! She is an expert in her field and I would highly recommend her school and teaching to flutists of all ages.
– Julee
October 22, 2010
September is a wonderful flute teacher. She's patient, encouraging and professional. She has been my daughter's flute teacher for 6 years. We would recommend her to any flute student at any level.
– Beth
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?!
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! :)
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!
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!
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
A. The Students! It always amazes me how much I learn from them.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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."