Online, One Hour Sessions for your Flute Studio, Flute Choir or Educational Institution.

Haynes University are sponsored classes given by a selection of eminent Haynes Artists and Haynes Young Artists. Our aim is to supplement and support the flute-playing community around the world with these invaluable resources on various aspects of flute-playing and musical life. Full instructions and terms and conditions for requesting a class are on the Request Page.

“Fused: Pop Ideas + Classical Sounds”, with Assistant Professor of Flute & Director of Woodwind Studies at New York University, Meghan Bennett

This lecture-discussion led by Meghan Bennett is designed as a deep-dive into the world of pop artists and their music.

Through viewing documentaries and interviews featuring Nina Simone, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, and Céline Dion, we take a relevant and creative look into the connections between music, thought, feeling and society and examine the meaning of the word artist. Delving into the personal perspective of varied popular artists will serve as the impetus for self-reflection regarding our individual, deliberate participation in both the world of arts and the world at large.

“Improvise your way to Musical Freedom” with Internationally renowned, mutli-award-winning Jazz Soloist Sheila del Bosque

Join the multi-award-winning soloist, composer, arranger and conductor Sheila del Bosque on a journey towards musical freedom through improvisation for classical flutists. This class aims to explain and demystify the secrets behind strong, compelling improvisation and how it is an important skill that can be woven into every day music-making.

“Demystifying Anatomical Locators” with international performer, educator, collaborator and Assistant Professor of Flute at the University of North Carolina Greensboro Erika Boysen

Let's discuss flute playing from the inside-out. Topics and exercises regarding tone production, legato playing, vibrato, and breathing are examined from both pedagogical and anatomical perspectives.  Each topic will feature video footage/visual representation of recent studies regarding the laryngeal movement of flutists.

“Finding Inspiration in Strange Places” with soloist, recording artist, orchestral musician and Flute Teacher at the Junior Royal Academy of Music in London, Abigail Burrows

Finding inspiration for our music-making is often a challenge. What is this phrase supposed to feel like? What was the composer thinking when they wrote this passage? How can I play this with more heart, more soul, more music?? Join Abbie Burrows to discover an alternative method to approaching these age old questions.

“The Inclusive Flute Studio: Research-based Practices to Enhance Accessibility and Belonging” with Lisa Garner Santa

Join Lisa Garner Santa, internationally recognized pedagogue and performer, as she shares simple and proven strategies to support an open, productive, and trusting environment for teaching and learning. Learn how to co-create studio agreements, provide greater transparency in your applied lesson assignments, utilize written and verbal language that meets the needs of all students, and more! 

“Mental Preparation for Performance” with International soloist, chamber musician and JUNO-nominated recording artist, Professor of Flute at The Glenn Gould School at the Royal Conservatory of Music & University of Toronto Susan Hoeppner

We learn how to play our instrument, but not necessarily how to approach the actual performing experience. After all the technical, musical, interpretive preparation and many, many hours of work, there is still the potential to fall apart on stage. Why?

We have the ability and capacity to improve technically - we can always get better with the physical work. But we don't take the time - and realize the importance of - the mental preparation needed for a successful performance. The mind has enormous power and we don't think to access this strength. When we are "too busy being busy" we cannot get a good grounding and focus. I'd like to share some tips on how to achieve more success with every performance!

“Expression as Technique” with Principal Piccolo of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, Chris James

A class dispelling the myth of innate "musicality" and breaking down expression into its fundamental building blocks. We will use examples from Marcel Moyse's classic method books to explore how to improve our expressiveness in a thoughtful way through our daily practice.

“Latin Jazz Fundamentals” with International, Grammy Award-Winning Flutist Nestor Torres

At the top of the Latin Jazz industry for decades, the inimitable Nestor Torres brings a special one-hour class on Latin Jazz Fundamentals. The rhythms, the licks, the tunes, the scales, the listening guides and the essential skills to open up the world of sun-soaked fluting JOY!

Classes from Haynes Young Artists:

“Injury Prevention Exercises for Flutists” with Ziqing Guan

Most flutists understand the basic and essential methods of avoiding injury: ample rest, stretching, and exercising. But how to process these injury prevention methods more precisely and efficiently? For example, what frequency of breaks during a prolonged practice session is beneficial? What common postures need to be rectified or avoided? What exercises can truly help to prevent injury? The purpose of this workshop is to help flutists better understand the major muscle groups that we use in playing the flute, how these muscles are affected by flute-playing, and to introduce exercises that are easily added to a flutist’s daily practice routine to help prevent injury and promote musculoskeletal health.

Note: make sure there is enough personal space to perform exercises with Ziqing

“Can you learn a piece without practicing it? An examination of mental practice” with Matthew Lee

Have you ever been instructed to engage in "Mental Practice" by your teacher but found yourself uncertain about where or how to begin? Or perhaps you're facing a situation where practicing your musical instrument is challenging or even impossible. This workshop/presentation aims to equip you with valuable tools to enhance your repertoire of practice strategies.

We will guide participants in the process of initially understanding what practicing truly entails, with a particular focus on EFFECTIVE practice. We'll also explore the crucial questions that need to be addressed in the practice room. Within this context, we will delve into what I refer to as the two aspects of mental practice: concrete and abstract.

“Unlocking Artistry Through Body Awareness” with Hunter O’Brien

Throughout his performance career, Hunter has developed several performance-related injuries including tendinitis, thoracic outlet syndrome, and cubical tunnel syndrome so he is well aware of the stressors that flute can place on our bodies! He found lasting relief through body awareness and training focused on informed, natural, and intentional movement. These practices strongly influence Hunter’s teaching and he has found great success through the implementation of these topics from beginner students through college level players and beyond.

During this presentation, Hunter will provide tangible, accessible, and easily implemented ideas, exercises, and concepts that can transform a player and allow them to incorporate, question, and challenge the mind/body/instrument connection.

“Stop Waiting for the Phone to Ring: A Flutist's Perspective on Orchestral Freelancing” with Daniel Fletcher

Building a successful freelance orchestral career takes much more than waiting for the next audition. In this practical and refreshingly candid Haynes University session, flutist Daniel Fletcher draws on his own experience as Principal Flute of the Peoria Symphony Orchestra, a former Civic Orchestra of Chicago Fellow, and a freelancer with leading ensembles to explore how young musicians can actively create opportunities. From getting onto substitute lists, approaching principal flutists and crafting an effective one-page résumé, to preparing for your first call, navigating orchestral etiquette and managing the financial realities of freelance life, Daniel offers an honest, useful roadmap for turning occasional gigs into lasting professional relationships and, ultimately, a sustainable career.

“Flute Pedagogy as a Creative and Healing Practice” with Aimee Toner

Through her work as a private instructor, teaching artist, and classroom teacher in a diversity of programs, Aimee has been captivated by the extensive power of music instruction in relationship building, community belonging, and self-awareness. This course will encourage participants to reflect on flute pedagogy practices and explore new avenues of healing and creative methods for teaching the flute.

The session will cover topics in Social and Emotional Learning, Improvisation, Goal-Setting, and Community Building as it relates to teaching private flute lessons. Participants will leave the program with a newly drafted teaching statement that reflects their core values as educators.

Classes from the Haynes Team:

“The Aging Flutist” with internationally renowned pedagogue, performing artist and leading expert in the field of the Senior Adult Music Making, Dr Korinne Smith

This session will examine the most common physical challenges that aging flutists are confronted with and pedagogical tools that work best for these challenges. If you teach this category of flutist, come and learn how to best adapt your teaching style to fit the needs of your students. If you identify as an aging musician yourself, come and discover how to combat your challenges and find the solutions to physical issues you may face now or possibly in the future.

‘The Hand Carved Sound’ with Master Headjoint Maker Aiven O’Leary

Come and learn from Master Headjoint Maker of the Wm. S. Haynes Flute Company, Aiven O’Leary, as she gives an interactive look into the headjoint-making process.

Discover how slight changes on the headjoint can have a HUGE impact on your sound.

Any questions that you’ve ever had about headjoints, headjoint making, and all of the aspects that go into the engine of your flute - Aiven will deliver the information!

“Materials and Mechanics” with Director of Quality Management Joy Roberts and Head of Stringing and Bodymaking David Schipani.