Anyone can learn to play the flute!
Have you always wanted to learn to play the flute but thought it would be too hard?
Are you a first year band student still struggling to make a good sound on the flute?
Have you been playing a few years but want to go deeper and maybe place higher in school band auditions (or even audition for honor bands and competitions)?
Do you wonder what it takes to get into a college music program or what college is best for you?
Parents, is your child frustrated with the flute? Or maybe they’re already great at it but you think they can be even better? Maybe you just want to help them but you’ve never played an instrument yourself...
If the answer to any of these questions is YES, you’re in the right place!
My name is Nicole Schroeder Raimato, and no matter what your background is, I can’t wait to work with you! My flute studio in Maywood (Bergen County), NJ is a welcoming place for students of all ages and levels.
While studying the Suzuki Method of music education, I was inspired by Dr. Suzuki’s idea that “every child can” learn to play music. Musical skill is not reserved for an elite group of “naturally talented” people but can be learned by anyone who puts in the time and effort.
Whether you just want to get a sound out of the flute headjoint every time you blow across it or you want to get a solid high D in the Prokofiev Sonata for college auditions, this is the place for you! I’ve been through it all as a student and performer and seen it all as a teacher…I have bachelor’s and master’s degrees in flute, have performed in a variety of professional settings (Broadway, symphony orchestras, event gigs, and more), and have taught in a wide array of environments (from a class of 4-6 year old beginners to elementary after-school classes and middle/high school private students to adults coming back to the flute after decades-long hiatuses).
We’ll go at YOUR speed to accomplish YOUR goals…and we’ll have some fun while we’re at it too!
What are private lessons like?
By taking private lessons, you will: -Improve your tone (who doesn’t want a more beautiful sound?) -Improve your technique (memorizing all those fingerings and developing faster fingers and tongue) -Improve your breathing (okay, we all know how to breathe, but the flute requires the most air of all the band instruments – except maybe tuba) -Learn to read music and improve sight-reading skills -Discover the history behind the music you’re playing -Perform at recitals and learn techniques for managing performance anxiety (we all feel it!) -Gain confidence on and off stage -Sharpen discipline and time management skills -Set and achieve your own musical goals -Develop a creative outlet and fulfilling lifelong hobby to bring you and others JOY! What will we do in a lesson? -Warmups and exercises tailored especially to you (to get the air and fingers going) -Method book/solo study (the MEAT of the lesson) -Music reading/theory practice (and maybe some games!) -Duets (to practice sightreading and playing with others) What about practicing? -I expect students to practice 6 days a week (because “all work and no play…”). Like many other things in life, what you put in is what you will get out: the more you practice, the better you get, the more fun it is to play! If you put in the time, you will quickly find yourself playing better than your peers in school band or other settings.
Why study with me?
I am trained in the Suzuki Method of Music Education. While Suzuki instructors teach “sound before symbol” (the same way you learned to speak as a baby), we also teach our students how to read music. The Suzuki Method aims to create a nurturing environment that addresses the WHOLE student, not just their musical skills, and Suzuki teachers believe that EVERY child can learn music (this includes those with learning and physical disabilities). My teaching methods are personally tailored to each student’s needs. I progress at their pace, no matter how fast or how slow, and use the materials that are best suited for their level of ability and goals. I guide students through creating a practice routine (with younger students we make up games to keep practicing fun!). I aim to create a loving, accepting (and at times silly!) atmosphere, where the student feels safe making mistakes, and I feel that I learn as much from them as they learn from me. I hope to foster a lifelong love of music in each student, whether that means they become a professional flutist or a professional music fan. I am an active performer, so I practice what I preach! I know what it’s like to be out there in the real world doing music for a living, and I use these experiences in the teaching studio. I am constantly working to improve my own playing and teaching (I take lessons, attend masterclasses, and participate in workshops, professional development seminars, conferences, and training programs regularly). I always have something new to share with you! I have my own life experience navigating all types of auditions, college decisions, and starting a freelance career and can help you avoid the mistakes I’ve made over the years if you are looking to take your playing to the next level.
Where is the studio located?
My home studio is located in Maywood, NJ near the Bergen Town Center outlets. Nearby towns include Paramus, Hackensack, Hasbrouck Heights, Lodi, Rochelle Park, River Edge, Bergenfield, and Teaneck. I also offer more flexible online options for students who can’t get here in person every week.
