flute studio

Your best playing is ahead!

Now accepting new students online and in Pittsburgh, PA

Preparing for a competition?

Auditioning for college or

conservatory?

Want to improve your flute and piccolo playing?

Join the Jeff Harley Flute Studio! more information below.

Portrait of Jeff Harley with flute and piccolo

choose your focus

What goals do you want to achieve? Below are a few common goals flute students pursue. Everyone is on their own journey, so bring your own aspirations too!

college audition preparation

Having been through this process multiple times myself along with being advised by several great flute teachers, I can provide a pathway that has been proven to be successful. There are many moving parts to college/conservatory auditions and it is easy to get lost. I'll act as a guide to help you through it all. Planning lessons are included in this specific focus to make sure no detail is left unnoticed and used as check points along the way. key aspects that are important to this process are: organization, pressure, and memorization. My goal is to understand what your goals are and guide you to success.

competition preparation

Preparing for a competition requires a very specific focus as the amount of time to get ready is never as much as we would like. Having a knowledge of appropriate repertoire ahead of time is incredibly helpful as you'll most likely be asked to play some amount of new repertoire. The setting of a competition is a combination of an audition and a performance. To help that become easier as it comes closer, lessons will become more performance based. Including a planning lesson in the beginning of your preparation is extremely important. Quick work, preparation, and determination are all needed for entering competitions.

audition preparation

Preparing for an audition is similar to preparing for a college audition or competition except you are under a bigger microscope. There is a huge amount of commitment, determination, and preparation that goes into getting ready to take a professional audition. These lessons will be performance based and will require the highest level of fundamentals, technique, tone, and memorization skills in order to be successful. Additionally, a review of your resume will take place in your first lesson if screening is required. This focus will be great for someone wanting extra pressure and another set of ears and ideas to help advance their orchestral excerpts.

improve your piccolo playing

The piccolo can be quite intimidating to play. Intonation is tricky and everyone can hear you because of how high it is! Often times, the piccolo is seen as an auxiliary instrument to the flute. I believe that is because most flutists do not spend enough time learning to understand and master the piccolo. It is an entirely different instrument with it's own tendencies. In fact, the entire construction of the piccolo from the bore to the mechanism is different. Dedicating time to the piccolo is the best way to overcome any performance anxiety around the instrument and increasing your confidence in your own playing!

improve your flute playing

Regular weekly lessons are crucial to a student's success and improvement. Assignments are given from method books, etudes, and solo repertoire relevant to your skill level in order to challenge and push your capabilities. Fundamentals are the foundation of this focus and consistently reinforced to keep progress moving forward. Exercises are provided to overcome difficulties, to teach new techniques, and gain new skills. The bulk of the work is done at home practicing throughout the week while the lesson time aims to correct and challenge you a step furthe. My goal is to inspire you and instill a sense of curiosity to explore and learn more.

lesson overview

Currently offering lessons on a semester schedule. One-off lessons are available upon request.

Each lesson is tailored to the individual student and their chosen focus. Students preparing for an audition or competition will be guided with a short-term perspective of progress for quicker improvement and a better chance of success. Advanced student lessons will be taught through a long-term perspective of progress with a more rigorous and pedagogical approach to enhance their understanding of the flute and musical abilities. Younger students will be taught with a heavy focus on fundamentals to build a solid foundation of tone, technique, and musicality.

ONLINE STUDENTS

If you are receiving lessons online, your tech equipment is an important factor to successful lessons. the following are required:

-quality webcam

-external microphone

-steady internet connection

Students may be asked to record themselves playing and submit prior to an online lesson to watch and go over during their lesson. This helps avoid any potential internet connection errors with realtime playing.

IN-PERSON STUDENTS

Please bring all materials to each lesson i.e. flute, music, pencil, notebook.

A studio recital may take place at the end of each year to showcase and celebrate the progress of each student.

All students will receive a Studio Policy packet prior to beginning lessons. This packet contains necessary information that you'll to keep as long as we are working together.

PRICING

contact me for pricing information.

flute studio

choose your focus

college audition preparation

competition preparation

audition preparation

improve your piccolo playing

improve your flute playing

lesson overview

FAQ

Why do you teach on a semester schedule?

Where do you teach lessons?

Are lessons for flute only?

What can I expect from a private flute lesson with Jeff?

What makes Jeff's flute lessons unique?

How can I get in touch for lessons or performances?

Ready to join? Submit the form below!