Hello, fellow flute Lovers!
Do you ever...
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Feel a bit awkward holding the flute?
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Feel unsure about how to make a difficult passage better?
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Wonder what the "right" flute embouchure looks like?
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Want to improve your sound but are unsure how?
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Find yourself in the same ruts over and over?
You've come to the right place.
My name is Claire, and I’m a professional flutist… but I like to think of myself more as a sound explorer.
Curiosity is a musician's best friend, and the flute has an endless amount of colors and timbres to play with.
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In the last thirteen years of performing everywhere from Carnegie Hall to the back of a boat in the middle of a lake in Minnesota, I’ve learned a LOT about practicing, playing, and loving the flute, and I am excited to help you achieve your flutistic goals and dreams!
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I've taught total beginners to advanced high schoolers, both on Zoom and in-person, and can help you wherever you are in your flute journey.
My Teaching Style
Every flute teacher is a little different!
I cater each lesson and plan to the individual student, depending on your level, age, and goals.
For all students, my main priorities in lessons are the following...
01
To empower you to be your own best teacher, and instill an internal sense of confidence
02
To foster personal and musical growth through learning how to play the flute
03
To have fun in the process! I believe the best learning takes place in positive and playful environments
What does that look like in real time?
A lot of asking questions, exploratory learning, and experimenting together! There are a fair amount of quirky analogies to explain how to do certain things (in lessons you'll find we talk about pasta shapes a lot)
The flute is a weird and at times awkward instrument to play, and that is one of the many reasons why I love it! There's always a new thing to explore.​
I will share everything I know about how to play the flute with you, including what has worked for me and what hasn't, and will help you figure out how to apply that to your own playing. In lessons I will ask you what you’re experiencing, or what you think will help in a certain passage. ​
A typical lesson structure involves some stretching or a breathing exercise, a melodic warm up to work on tone, exercises for fundamentals (scales, trills, articulation, vibrato, dynamics, etc) and a solo piece or etude.
what students are saying
I started taking lessons with Claire during the summer after my sophomore year of high school. During my first lesson, I was immediately taken by Claire's passion, energy, and insights. I came out of every lesson feeling like I learned a lot, and I enjoyed seeing the variety of techniques and explanations that Claire would put forward. She is such a kind, effective, and patient teacher whose passion for the flute inspires many- I could not recommend her enough!
Ammy Lin, Student
When you join the flute studio, you’re getting more than just weekly lessons.
All studio members
have access tO:
01.
Weekly Warm Up Classes
that you can attend live or watch as a recording
02.
A Studio-Wide Playlist
that is updated regularly, depending on what students are working on
03.
Monthly flute Looping Tracks to improvise with as a warm up or cool down exercise
04.
Studio Events throughout the year, including a masterclass in the fall and spring recital
In lessons we will work on...
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Expanding confidence in your playing
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Singing through the flute and finding your most beautiful sound
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Establishing fundamentals skills of breath control that will last a lifetime (enter the “Breath of Joy”)
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Learning repertoire YOU want to be playing (Billie Eilish, Mozart, you name it!)
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Navigating the gnarliest of passages (I’ll tell you all about what I call “lobster fingers”)
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Exploring comfort and ease in your physical relationship to the flute
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Learning mental skills that will prepare you to play any performance, competition or audition without your nerves getting the better of you
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Making practice plans that are fun, practical, and relevant to your goals as a flutist!
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How much do lessons cost?It depends on how long of a lesson you want, and your chosen payment plan! I offer three different lengths, 30 minute, 45 minute, and 60 minute lessons. There is more information about payment plans in the 2024-25 Studio Policy.
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How do I choose a lesson length?The length of your lesson depends on your current level and goals, which are things we will discuss in your trial lesson. I recommend 30 minute lessons for beginners, to build up stamina and get comfortable with fundamentals. Forty-five minute lessons are best for students who are ready to explore fundamental topics on a deeper level and start working on more solo pieces. Sixty minute lessons are best for intermediate and advanced students who practice regularly and are ready for more challenging repertoire.
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What does the trial lesson look like?The trial lesson is a chance for us to get to know each and see if it will be a good fit! They typically last between 30-45 minutes. We’ll start with chatting about where you’re at in your flute journey, have a mini-lesson so I can give you some tips and tricks to help with whatever you’re working on, and then I’ll answer any questions you might have about the studio or flute lessons.
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How does scheduling work?Before you begin flute lessons, we will find a regular time that works every week. Regular lessons are important to make sure you’re staying on track with your goals and developing healthy habits. My teaching schedule for the 2024-25 year includes slots on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday afternoon and evening, and Saturday mornings (until available). The flute studio calendar for 2024-25 can be found here.
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What does a typical lesson look like?I like to start lessons with a little bit of stretching or breathing exercises, and then do a warm up to focus on tone and get the air moving. Depending on the length of the lesson, we’ll then cover some technique exercises or etudes, and then a solo piece. Every lesson looks a little different depending on your goals. We will often play duets, listen to a recording together, and even practice improvising!
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Where do lessons happen?I teach flute lessons from my home in Southside Slopes, Pittsburgh. There’s a fabulous bakery and a beautiful park nearby for parents to explore and enjoy while students are in lessons. I also teach lessons on Zoom to students across the US!
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How do I sign up for lessons?Thanks for asking:) Contact me at claire.gunsbury@icloud.com to set up a trial lesson and we'll start from there!
yep, that's me at my first solo flute recital!
When I was a young student, there were many times when I didn’t feel confident enough in my own voice to speak up in class or talk to other people. I was afraid that I wouldn’t say the right thing, or that my voice wasn’t worth being heard because there were so many other people talking.
Once I started playing flute, my mentors helped me realize that there are an infinite number of ways to say something. My voice and my interpretation of the music, whether it be a phrase or a full piece, was worth hearing! I started to feel more confident in my playing, and I was able to compliment others on their interpretations, because I knew that what we each had to say was important. We could be individuals but did not have to be competitors.
I was no longer thinking from a place of fear, but from a place of confidence and curiosity for the many ways we can all show up in the world. I’m still learning, but I know my heart has been opened so much when I’m encountering things from a place of empowerment.
My Teaching Philosophy
I believe that when we feel empowered, we are more open to love, beauty and connection. I love to investigate, create, and play with music, and my goal is to give my students the tools to do the same.
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My work with each student is centered on their own physical and mental experiences of playing the flute.
As my student, I'll encourage you to:
- Ask questions
- Listen actively
- Experiment to find what works best
- Celebrate your successes
- Learn from moments that didn't go as you hoped
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And I will be there every step of the way! I too have been there... and have learned a lot in my own flute journey. Not just about flute, but confidence, trust, open-heartedness, and discipline.