NFA Online Events

October 6 - Reflect on & Refresh Our Warm-ups with Ginny Atherton | REGISTER

From our very first efforts to sound a flute, we’ve engaged (or not!) with “long tones.” In this session, we’ll share why and what we’ve learned, valued, and evolved as our current daily foundation. Ginny will share approaches she and her students find enabling and satisfying. Participants will select one of Ginny’s warm-up prompts, personalize it and share with the online community. Have your favorite tone study books and personally developed tonal engagements on the stand to reference.

Please (re)-read Moyse’s "De La Sonorite"* esp. pp 2-6 & 24-27. Select two repertoire excerpts (not in Sonorite): one lyrical, one florid and complex, to apply fresh strategies. Follow Moyse’s suggestions as session prep - to the letter! *available for purchase online

October 13 - Adult Amateur Flutist Masterclass | REGISTER

The winners of our Adult Amateur Competition will perform in this virtual masterclass. The performers are Lindsay Brillson, Sadie Hewitt, and John Nguyen. This event will be hosted by Christina Condon, Competition Coordinator.

October 20 - Demystifying Modern Repertoire with Anne Maker | REGISTER

This session will focus on strategies and repertoire that helps flutists, students and teachers gain confidence and skill with modern repertoire. New flute pieces often employ the stylistic innovations of the 20th century, yet these works, and the aesthetic styles they developed, are often only studied by advanced students. During the session, we'll look at how different musical styles' phrasing, vibrato use, and articulation vary in 20th and 21st century pieces and go over strategies for performing the various styles of modern repertoire with confidence.

October 27 - Embracing Change in Midlife with Eva Amsler & Michelle Stanley| REGISTER

This workshop is an avenue to discuss the changes that come about in a flutist's midlife. Embracing change can lead to remarkable growth and fulfillment. Whether it's starting a teaching studio, delving into administrative roles, forming ensembles, integrating other art forms, or even discovering a completely new passion—all avenues are open for transformation.

November 3 - A Guide to Creating the Rampal School’s Magical Phrasing & Tone Colors with Sheryl Cohen | REGISTER

This interactive program expands upon my earlier workshop on Pelvic Power to shape time between notes, creating atmosphere and color. Using daily studies and repertoire, we will discover ways to engage the whole body to promote expressive phrasing and transform vibrant attacks into long, colorful phrases in memorable Rampal fashion.

November 17 - Getting Into Music School: Prep Made Simple! with Barbara Siesel | REGISTER

Have you been wondering about the best approach to preparing for music school auditions? Getting ready for these auditions has become more and more complex over time. Difficult repertoire - some standard, some new - orchestral excerpts, etudes, and more can make for a challenging experience. We will explore repertoire, requirements, presentation, and performance to help illuminate what various schools and faculty are looking for in a potential student.

October 27 - 5 Tips to Better Sight-Reading with Elizabeth A. Potts, DMA | REGISTER

Many musicians often find sight-reading difficult, let alone intimidating. This online session hopes to curb those fears and build confidence with a few simple tools crafted individually for each flutist.

December 8 - Becoming an Artist Citizen with Adam W. Sadberry & Lea Pearson | REGISTER

We ARE the change! Unleash expressive potential for the Artist Citizen and the Studio Teacher with powerful new techniques for the 21st Century. Resilience, collaboration, and safety are essential processes for activating full potential. We will explore essential questions exploring the practice of resilience in the studio and the community.

December 15 - Preparing Katherine Hoover's Canyon Shadows with Joanne Lazzaro | REGISTER

Performing Katherine Hoover's Canyon Shadows for flute, native flute and percussion - her only work including Native American flute - is easily within grasp for a classically-trained flutist. We'll discuss learning to read NakaiTab versus reading concert pitch, and performing on Native American flute in G minor or using a Native American head joint on a concert C flute. We'll also provide insight into the history of the piece, and Katherine's commentary on the final print edition.

January 12 - Benedicto Lacerda and the "Golden Age" of Choro Flute Playing with Julie Koidin | REGISTER

January 19 - Sound & Aesthetics - Connecting the Past with the Present with the NFA Historical Flutes Committee | REGISTER

Whether playing works of Bach or Mozart, flutists may wonder how these pieces sounded in such a distant past. Focusing on aspects in tone production, articulation, and aesthetics, the NFA Historical Flutes Committee would like to share how we can come closer to an early flute sound. Bring your flute and we’ll show how everyone can enjoy this beautiful music on their instruments! With Teddie Hwang, Michael Lynn, Joanna Marsden, and Jessica Schury.

January 26 - Mapping Moyse - A Treasure Hunt! with Dr. Brandon LePage | REGISTER

One of the most used and referenced resources for tonal study is Marcel Moyse’s iconic book De la Sonorite. After years of using this book myself and in my teaching, I have created a treasure map that can be followed to make this resource clearer and more accessible to help us find the hidden gems locked within this book of wonders!

February 2 - Sparking a Sense of Discovery in Your Playing with Laura Lentz | REGISTER

In this session we'll explore how to spark a sense of discovery in one's playing. By being curious and aware of what we are doing as we are doing it, we take on an active role, creating space for reflection, asking questions as part of the learning process, and seeking out solutions to problems. Bringing an air of discovery to our practice as teachers, learners, and performers can help lead us to an increased understanding about our flutist-selves and our playing. We will also talk about making space for discovery in our daily lives in all that we do.

February 9 - Unlocking Extended Techniques: A Performance Guide to Contemporary Pieces with a Focus on the Bass Flute with Lina Digka | REGISTER

This session is ideal for any flutist aiming to study a contemporary piece from the ground up, particularly those working on pieces that include contemporary techniques and the bass flute. After examining the piece from both the performer’s and composer’s perspectives, we will explore a performance guide with practical practice tips. My own exercises will help flutists quickly become familiar with some of the most important extended techniques.