Gretchen Lindeman

I love teaching!  I have been teaching for over 30 years, kids and adults, beginners to advanced orchestral players. In addition to private students, and I also am the Flute Choir Director for many middle and high school band programs.  I have toured Europe with the US National Wind Ensemble, recorded cartoon music for Disney Cartoons, recorded flute tracks for both jazz and pop songs, and I have been the music coordinator for a national Delta Faucet commercial.  In addition to being a professional flutist and flute teacher, I am a 3rd degree Black Sash in Kung Fu, and was a Children's Martial Arts program director for 20 years.  I am also a professional actor, having been in numerous commercials, films and TV shows.  In other words, I love performing and teaching in many capacities.  I believe it is an honor to help students reach their goals, step-by-step, and help them gain in both confidence and wonderful lifelong music skills.

I believe in FUNdamentals while making it FUN.  Yes, we will concentrate on flute technique, big time, but the entire reason to do this is to have fun while learning a wonderful art form.  We will set reachable goals, giving the student a true sense of accomplishment and confidence.  However, I believe in spending time on improvisation, jazz, show tunes and pop tunes that peak the student's interest.  If the student is having fun, they will continue and become lifelong musicians and lovers of music.

Here's what students and parents have said about me on Lessons.com:

Leon T. - Gretchen is highly experienced, and she has really helped me to up my game as an adult flutist. I have struggled
particularly with proper breathing technique, and she has been very patient (but very firm!) about helping me to
overcome this problem. She does not skip the basics, but she provides many opportunities to try new songs and styles
that I might have never selected for myself. It is never a boring lesson with Gretchen! I highly recommend her.

Marie R. - My daughter was really getting frustrated with flute because she couldn’t play some high notes like high E and F#.
Gretchen not only helped her learn to play the higher notes but she’s loving flute again. Gretchen has really helped her
overcome her challenges and be a better player.

Angela W. - Gretchen was accommodating with assigned work and music for my band. Hand positioning, for me, is a struggle, but she is
patient and makes sure that I know when I do something correctly/when I make progress on something. Overall, I
strongly recommend getting lessons with her.