Let's learn together!
I am currently accepting students for my private studio!
I offer in-person lessons in La Crescenta-Montrose, near to the surrounding areas of La Cañada, Pasadena, Glendale, and Los Angeles, as well as Zoom lessons online. Whether you're just starting out, prepping for college auditions, or looking to rekindle an old hobby, I would be delighted to take those steps with you.
Teaching Philosophy
Whether performing or teaching, I strive to maintain awareness of the elusive and ever-shifting balance between physical and mental direction. As a lifelong flute student myself, I've found that hyper-fixating on the emotional aspect of music, while arguably its most valued attribute, can sometimes lead us astray in how we share those intentions with our audiences. I believe we can avoid this mistranslation with deliberate use of the body; after all, the playing of any instrument would be impossible if not for the physical actions that allow us to do so - as flutists, we use our lungs to blow air, our arms to hold up the instrument, our lips to form an embouchure, and so on.
As my own teacher would often remind me, our instruments give us the opportunity to express from a place of confidence and generosity, rather than fear. Accessing this confidence and generosity stems from a healthy relationship and knowledge of how our body interacts with our instrument, and I believe that this physical freedom is pivotal not only in avoiding injury, but getting the most out of our music-making experience.
In accordance with these beliefs, while I am not a professional practitioner, I like to incorporate many Alexander Technique principles into my teaching so that my students can reflect on how we should treat our bodies during performance - something I wish that I had adopted into my own playing much earlier! As such, I place great importance on posture and our physical set-up, while also attending to the usual suspects: music theory, aural skills, historical context, finger technique, tone production, vibrato, phrasing, articulation, and breathing.
My hope for all of my students is that they learn to find joy in the process of musical discovery and realize that what we learn in our lessons can be applied to our non-musical pursuits, just like how we take inspiration from our surroundings with us into our flute playing. I believe that all performances are just snapshots of our personal musical journey, and lessons are workshops in cultivating meaningful progress and discussion, rather than one-sided lecture.
A little bit more about me!
(As if this whole website wasn't enough...)
The Camellia Trio
CMU Commencement, May 2025
Since a wee little girl, I was raised here in the La Crescenta area, having attended Mountain Avenue Elementary School, Rosemont Middle School, and Crescenta Valley High School. As such, I have first-hand experience with how the instrumental programs work here, as well as nearby youth orchestras. I grew up participating in regional/state-wide honor ensembles and nearby competitions, which I am happy to help my students prepare for. As a member of the MTAC (Music Teachers’ Association of California), I also help students enroll in and prepare for the annual Certificate of Merit® evaluation program.
For interested students, I know what it takes to find success with pursuing music in college and beyond. As a conservatory-trained classical flutist, I've been accepted to highly regarded flute programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, such as the following:
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Carnegie Mellon University School of Music
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Cleveland Institute of Music
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Guildhall School of Music & Drama
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New England Conservatory of Music
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Oberlin Conservatory of Music
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UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music
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University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign School of Music
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USC Thornton School of Music
Of course, a life with flute does not AT ALL necessitate playing the instrument professionally; no matter how you want to fill your life with music, I am here to support those goals whole-heartedly! ･ᴗ･
F.A.Q.
What is your teaching background?
While at Oberlin for undergrad, I was a Secondary Lesson Teacher, teaching non-major flute students enrolled at the college. After moving to Pittsburgh for my graduate degree, I was on the substitute teaching staff at the Steranka Flute Studio LLC, where I taught a variety of students from eight year-old beginners to university professors! (Of course - of other disciplines.) I've taught group lessons as part of Pittsburgh's River City School of Brass and back home in LA at the UCLA Lab School. I also developed an interactive teaching concert with other CMU grad students at the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh as part of the Azure Family Concert Series. Additionally, even while jumping around from state-to-state for these degrees, I have continued to teach privately.
How long are lessons?
Lessons will be in either 30-, 45-, or 60-minute slots, once a week. The length will be decided at the consultation lesson based on age, prior experience, and skill level. Generally, beginners and younger students will start off with the 30-minute increments and gradually increase with skill level and experience. For students looking to audition for competitions, honor ensembles, or music schools, lessons may sometimes require 90-minute slots or two meetings per week to sufficiently cover all repertoire.
Do you offer lessons at students' homes?
I am currently available to travel pending my schedule and other students' lessons. Due to the sad realities of driving here in Los Angeles, this will incur an additional travel fee to compensate for gas, time, and labor. Travel fees will vary based on mileage - please feel free to contact me for more detailed information.
What is a 'consultation lesson'?
Before we commit to anything long-term, I like to have a 30-minute 'consultation lesson' free-of-charge so we can learn more about each other! This lesson will most likely be more talk-heavy than anything else; parents are welcome/encouraged to attend this first lesson. I'll clarify what you're looking to get our of your flute lessons so I can plan accordingly and do my best to answer any questions you may have.
What if I can't afford lessons?
I've experienced first-hand how financially taxing music studies can be - having worked 3-4 part-time jobs during college, seasonal jobs through the summers, and taking years off to work before graduate school to save up enough for application fees and tuition. If provided with documentation of financial hardship or low income, I will do my best to provide limited need-based scholarships for lesson fees. And if things still don't work out, I will find you someone who may be a better fit!
Schedule a consultation lesson today!
Information regarding studio policy, rates, and location will be supplied as requested.
(English | 한국어)