ATTENTION GRABBING HEADLINE
Flute Lessons
Finding a good flute lesson teacher can be overwhelming and confusing…
Your band director just gave you a huge list of names, but how do you know who’s the right teacher for you?
Since you’re spending a lot of one-on-one time with this person, you’re looking for someone who:
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Is highly qualified, but knows how to work with kids
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Gets great results, but still makes learning fun!
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Can help with extra-musical things band directors don’t have time to address in class, like performance anxiety, confidence, and audition prep
Cue the music!
You’re in the right place, my friend.
You’re looking for private music lessons that go beyond the basics. You’re looking for:
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Ways to “level up” your overall musicianship
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Techniques to combat performance jitters
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A method to prepare for auditions that’s more than just “practice ‘til it’s good”
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The encouragement you need to really go after your flute goals!
Whether you’re making your first sounds, auditioning for musical activities, or just trying to improve your flute playing– I’m here for you! If you’re looking for flute lessons in Houston, Texas or online flute lessons, keep reading!
Here’s what you’ll learn in flute lessons with me:
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Proper flute technique Duh. But we’ll go way beyond what you covered in band.
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Music you actually want to play I looooove Bach, but there’s a lot of music out there to explore!
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Develop confidence in your playing as well as techniques to combat performance and audition anxiety.
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“Extras” like music theory, history, and cultural context. It’s about more than just fun facts! It’s about being a well-rounded and responsible musician.
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Audition and performance preparation Have a goal in mind? Learn how to make it happen without having to practice 10,000 hours!
PLUS, you’ll also get access to:
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Your MyMusicStaff account to keep your lesson schedule, notes, and practice log all in one place!
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Pages and pages of helpful online resources– for my students only!
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My recommendations for additional musical activities outside of school.
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At the end of each term, students receive a progress report so they know where they’re at and what we will work on next!
How does it work?
Step 1: Contact me
Let me know you’re interested in private lessons, and we will schedule your free intro lesson!
Step 2: FREE Intro Lesson
We can meet at one of my school campuses, at my home in Houston, or online!
We will talk about how flute lessons work and your goals for your playing.
Step 3: Enroll in Lessons
If we work well together, we’ll get your regular lesson time scheduled. That’s when the real fun begins!
WHAT STUDENTS & GUARDIANS ARE SAYING
“I have been taking lessons with Mrs. Yaussy for 5 years and counting! I enjoy my weekly lessons because they allow me to receive the guidance I need in order to advance my knowledge and succeed. She helps me to understand the “why” behind the music. I know that taking lessons from Mrs. Yaussy has made me a more confident flutist!”
~Ayden, 11th grade student, flute section leader, and TMEA Area flutist
“My daughters, who are currently in 11th grade and 8th grade, have been taking private lessons from Mrs. Yaussy since they were in 7th grade and 6th grade, respectively. These one-on-one lessons have allowed both of my girls to receive personalized instruction tailored to their specific needs. Through these sessions, I have seen their self-confidence and their knowledge of their instruments flourish! Both of my daughters have thrived and have become beautiful flutists under Mrs. Yaussy’s guidance!”
~Shanna, 11th grade and 8th grade flute mom
And who am I?
I thought you’d never ask! My name is Tori Yaussy and I am a professional flutist living and working in Houston, TX. I have all the credentials you would expect to get with a high-caliber private lesson teacher, including nearly 10 years of teaching experience and multiple degrees from top institutions. That’s the boring stuff. You can read my resume if you want more of that.
Here’s the good stuff:
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The piano was actually my first instrument, and I decided to pursue flute because it was more of a challenge. What kid does that??
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I know what it’s like to be last chair flute. I started off high school at the very bottom of my section. With the help of a good flute teacher, by sophomore year I was in the top band. I am lucky to have had some truly masterful teachers in my life! I’ve learned from the best.
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I took music composition classes in college, and was a teaching assistant for music theory and ear training in graduate school. You can call me a music theory nerd– which is why I teach theory in lessons!
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My flute has taken me all over the world, including France, Italy, Vienna, LA, NYC, and Alaska of all places.
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My first teaching job was adjunct flute instructor at Purdue University.
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I was the first flutist ever admitted to the University of Illinois Artist Diploma program.
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I moved to Houston from Chicago because I wanted to build my own private lesson studio. After five years of teaching in Texas and surviving a global pandemic, I am confident that I provide an outstanding service to my students and their families.
My teaching philosophy
I believe that each and every student benefits from private music lessons. At the most basic level, private lessons allow students to have a one-on-one relationship with an adult outside of a classroom setting. It is important to me that my students understand that flute lessons are a safe space. I teach students to engage and question, and I encourage self-discovery. They learn discipline, the reward of hard work, goal setting, time management… the list goes on! I do not train young flutists to be the next Emmanuel Pahud– I train them to love playing the instrument and understand the value in playing it well. In lessons, we have fun, we learn, we make music.
Oh, and we play the flute too!
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How frequently should I be taking lessons?Weekly lessons are a must if you want to see real improvement! We take breaks for holidays, of course. I recommend weekly lessons over summer vacation to keep learning and moving forward so students are ahead of the game when school starts!
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How does payment work?Payments are due monthly at/by the first lesson of the month. The number of lessons per month varies based on the academic calendar and my schedule. I also offer a full semester payment option. I accept digital forms of payment including PayPal, Zelle, and Venmo.
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What materials do I need?All students need a flute in good working order, complete with cleaning swab and polishing cloth. You also need a tuner/metronome or a tuner/metronome app. Plus a pencil, a dedicated flute lesson binder, a music stand for at-home practice, and any books recommended by me. We will go over what books you may need to purchase in your first lesson.
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Can I take lessons during the school day?Yes! I offer lessons during the school day in Alvin ISD. Home school kids and adults may also take lessons during regular business hours. I offer flutes lessons in Houston, Texas as online flute lessons if you're not based in Houston!
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Do you teach on the weekends?I teach online lessons and in-person at my home on Sundays.
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What type of flute should I have and how do I buy one???I got you! Check out my whole spiel here.
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I have more questions, how can I get in touch?No sweat! I am happy to answer *literally* all of your questions. Please fill out the contact form to get in touch!