Lish Lindsey

🎶 Lish Lindsey (she/her/hers; rhymes with "wish") has taught flutists of all ages and abilities since 2000 and has provided online lessons since 2012. Lessons embrace the student's curiosity and interest while focusing on developing technique, playing without tension, and crafting a beautiful sound. Lessons should be fun for both student/teacher, regardless of age, so Lish strives to foster open communication to create a positive and supportive environment.

For intermediate and advanced flutists: Coaching is available for college/university auditions and competitions. Lessons are available on piccolo, alto, bass, and contrabass flute.                                       

🎶 Lish is also a ryūteki (Dragon Flute) specialist performing medieval Japanese court music (Gagaku) and has studied with members of Reigakusha, Kunitachi College of Music, and Ono Gagaku Kai in Tokyo. Lessons are offered to help new or established Western flutists play this unique flute and to coach composers who want to write for it. Lessons are taught using a traditional approach to learn the standard music repertoire through singing and playing. A reliable instrument can be purchased on eBay or through a specialized Gagaku store in Japan. Acquiring a ryūteki can be discussed during a free 15-minute lesson.

🎶 As a freelance musician, Lish has enjoyed performing with some of the most engaging and vibrant musicians in the United States, Japan, China, Italy, Belgium, England, and Wales.

🎶 She can be found performing with the Capital Philharmonic Orchestra (principal piccolo, NJ), New Brunswick Chamber Orchestra (principal flute, NJ), Reading Symphony (flute/piccolo sub, PA), Riverside Symphonia (regular flute/piccolo sub, PA), the Eastern Wind Symphony (principal flute, former principal piccolo, NJ), the Endless Mountain Music Festival (flute/piccolo, PA), East Brunswick Symphony Orchestra (principal piccolo, NJ), Random Access Music (NYC), Queens New Music Festival (NYC), Tokyo to New York (NYC), Composers Voice Concert Series (MNN TV Network NYC), Exit 4 Wind Quintet (NJ), UpTown Flutes (contrabass flute, NJ), Centre Park Flute Ensemble (contrabass flute, PA), The Socially Distant Orchestra, and Badger.Mantis, a flute/woodwind duo with Grammy winner, Todd Groves. As a ryūteki specialist, she also performs contemporary/newly composed works for the Dragon Flute. 

🎶 Lish was a regular substitute flutist for the Broadway musical Finding Neverland (starring Matthew Morrison, Alfie Boe, Tony Yazbeck, Laura Michelle Kelly, Kelsey Grammer, Kevin Kern, Paul Slade Smith) in NYC and has performed with Josh Groban, Sarah McLachlan, Foy Vance, Lena Hall, soprano Sarah Brightman, Vincent Niclo, Narcis Iustin Ianău, Yoshiki, Il Divo, Hanson, Il Volo, Rocktopia Live, Evanescence, Celtic Thunder, violinist Lindsey Stirling, Strauss Symphony of America, Warren Haynes, and Video Games Live.

🎶 As an adjunct professor at Columbia University, she directs The Gagaku Ensemble of NY and has performed/trained with the Tenri Gagaku Society of NY. She has performed in Gagaku recitals in NYC, Santa Barbara (CA), Tokyo (Japan), and Ghent (Belgium). She regularly performs new music for ryūteki as part of Thomas Piercy’s Tokyo to NY Concert Series. She is also an adjunct music lecturer at CUNY NY City College of Technology.

🎶 Lish works with 1st and 2nd year flutists at the Ethical Culture Fieldston School (NYC), and via the Wilkes University Conservatory program (passed all background checks). 

🎶 She serves on the board of directors for the New York Flute Club (president), Flute Society of Greater Philadelphia (Administrative Secretary), and the New Jersey Flute Society. She is a member of the National Flute Association (serves on the Global Flutes Committee), Pocono Flute Society (lifetime member and monthly clinician), Flute Society of Washington, and Opera America.

LishLindsey.com, YouTube.com: lishlindsey, Instagram: piccolish

Updated 2/2026.

For those new to the flute, I focus on presenting tone/technique and music/rhythmic literacy clearly but never lose sight of the joy the flute can offer through experimentation and creative self-expression. The pace can vary (fast and forward moving or relaxed and laid back) depending upon the individual's goals.

Flute mechanics, balance, air support/breathing, note reading, rhythm, tone, articulation, phrasing, and more are introduced and developed over time. Repertoire and lesson studies may vary and are tailored to meet the needs of each flutist.  

For those returning to the flute after several years of inactivity, I like to work at your pace, too, especially if you have a full-time job and lots of excitement at home! 

For advanced flutists, I am available for audition preparation coaching and another ear if you have upcoming recitals or master classes. 

New students should turn on the Lessonface Beta version to see Assignments, Notes, and Goals, and set up their interface for "Original Sound." https://support.zoom.com/hc/en/article?id=zm_kb&sysparm_article=KB0064198