Private Flute Lessons

Studio Concerts & Events

When you join my "flute family," you do far more than take lessons and practice faithfully. We fill our year with lots of exciting events, from retreats and recitals to concerts and competitions.

 

Annual Events in my Studio

Click any headline for event details.

Snowater Summer Retreat

  • Our studio year in August starts out with a bang! About 20, chaperones, Angie the flute dog, and I have a three-day retreat by the Mt. Baker National Forest. We rent several condos and have non-stop fun, food and flutes. Every year, Donna Shin, Professor of Flute at the University of Washington, gives master classes, as does one other guest artist. We hike along the river, swim in the pool, play games, sight-read ensembles, play in a flute choir, and have a great time.

Seattle Youth Symphony Auditions

Many of my students audition for the Seattle Youth Symphony groups. This year, 16 students from our studio were in the four orchestras.

Master Classes

Each year, I invite one or two college professors to come to the studio to teach a master class. We have had the professors from Central Washington University, San Francisco Conservatory, University of Cincinnati College, Conservatory of Music, Indiana University, and University of Washington among others. This year, we are thrilled to host Marianne Gedigian from the University of Texas at Austin.

Retirement Home Concerts

We love sharing our music with others, and retirement home concerts are a great way to practice our contest music and give a very grateful audience a treat. This year, various students performed at four retirement homes in our area.

All-State and All-Northwest Band and Orchestra

Every year, 9th- through 12th-grade students from our studio audition and are chosen to participate.

Seattle Flute Society Horsfall Competition

Most students in 6th through 12th grade send in audition tapes to compete in the Horsfall competition in January. Students from our studio have consistently won top awards.

Seattle Music Teachers Simon Fiset Competition

I serve as chairman for this woodwind competition, which started just a few years ago. Each student plays two pieces and is adjudicated. Winners take home cash prizes.

School District Competitions

Almost all high school students in the studio participate in their local school district competition. The winner from each district goes to state. Every year, we have students from the studio who make it to the state level, and many years we have winners!

Seattle Young Artists Music Festival

The Seattle Young Artists Music Festival is held at the end of March for all instruments in grades 5 through 12 . Students play a solo or complete program, and all of my students perform in an ensemble. Many also compete in the concerto division, and almost every year someone from the studio is chosen for the concerto play-offs. We have been lucky to have three concerto finalists from the studio.

The Annual Mother’s Day Gala Recital

The Mother’s Day Gala began as an “anti-contest,” a time where we could perform just for the fun of it. It has grown into the social event of the year. All students participate in ensembles. We sometimes even have one big flute choir.

I’ll never forget our performance of “The Flight of The Bumblee” with 25 students wearing antenna! The students wear costumes and perform skits, and we end with a big potluck dinner.

…And More!

Other events during the year may include a Christmas ensemble party, the “recital from hell” where we do everything possible to distract the performer, hot tub parties for winners of scale and trill contests, pizza afternoons with ensemble practice, special guest events featuring visiting artists, concert attendance as a group, senior recitals, and more.

 

It's not just music lessons…

Some of my parents say that being part of the studio is not just about taking lessons; it’s a lifestyle!

 

 

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students with Gerard Schwartz

Jerry Schwarz invited 10 of Bonnie’s students to perform at Benaroya Hall in a flute choir piece for 11 flutes. It was a challenging and exciting experience!

Students in Studio

Flutist extraordinaire Darlene Drew, who travels with Disney's production of The Lion King, brought her many exotic flutes to Bonnie's studio in a presentation about the flutes and life in the orchestra.

Annual retreat

What’s better than fun and flutes in the mountains?
Donna Shin, Professor of Flute at the University of Washington (and Bonnie’s former student) joins us for three days At Mt Baker for our annual flute retreat.

Annual retreat

Janna and Munya know the way to their teacher’s heart.

Annual retreat

Bonnie’s students meet their idols, James and Jeanne Galway.

In their own words…

Working with Bonnie Blanchard’s four fantastic high school flutists was a delight… Their ability to integrate with the various idiosyncrasies of the orchestral timbres and rhythms indicated a high level of musical sensitivity and sophistication that I have rarely experienced from that age group. Bravo!

—George Shangrow, Director Seattle Chamber Singers and Orchestra Seattle

I am always deeply impressed with the level of performance in Bonnie Blanchard’s studio. Not only are her students at the top of their game, but also they clearly love Bonnie and thrive on her teaching approach.

—Catherine Miller, Vice President, Miyazawa (USA)

Bonnie Blanchard has a rare gift as a profound flute teacher and author. The teaching methods outlined in her books have influenced many award-winning students who have gone on to launch professional careers, either as performers or educators.

—Diane Hsu

I was so impressed with the quality of Bonnie Blanchard’s high school flute quartet that I invited them to perform a concerto with the Seattle Symphony. Their technique, tone, intonation and musicality were extraordinary. Bonnie is an inspirational and motivating master teacher.

—Gerard Schwarz, Conductor Seattle Symphony

Every year I hear hundreds of flutists from around the country, and Bonnie Blanchard’s students are a cut above. Her unique teaching style produces musicians with excellent playing skills who demonstrate a joy for music. Bonnie Blanchard delivers!

—Jeff Weissman,
President and owner, JB Weissman Music Company