top of page

UNO Flute Studio

**Now enrolling new students for the 2022-2023 academic year. Please e-mail to inquire!**

UPDATE April 20,2022: Now offering both in person and online lessons without restrictions.

Dr. Beard has been offering and teaching online lessons for over a decade, with remote lessons conducted via numerous platforms including (but not limited to) FaceTime, Zoom, WhatsApp, Skype, and more.*

Scroll DOWN for info on Dr Beard's Private Flute Studio
UNO flutes 22-23.jpg

UNO flute studio members 2022-2023

Welcome to the Flute Studio at the University of Nebraska at Omaha

APPLY TO UNO

The first step in the college process is to apply to the University. Follow this link to start the official application process!

SCHEDULE AN AUDITION

Once you've applied to the university, you can schedule a music audition for acceptance into the School of Music. Follow this link for audition requirements, the scholarship application, and to schedule an on-site audition. (Note: contact Dr. Beard for pre-recorded or Skype audition options - available only to students outside a 200-mile radius of Omaha).

SCHOLARSHIP INFO

The UNO School of Music offers generous scholarships to music majors who have applied to UNO and audition prior to March 1st of each year! Contact Adam Hilt at ahilt@unomaha.edu for more information and to schedule an audition.

CONTACT DR. BEARD

If you've not already done so, contact Dr. Beard to let her know you're interested in studying with her at UNO! Follow the link to send her an email, or you can contact her directly at cbeard@unomaha.edu or call to leave a message at (304) 804-PICC.

Please reload

UNO FLUTE STUDIO PHOTOS

Welcome to the UNO Flute Studio Page! For flutists, the University of Nebraska at Omaha has much to offer, regardless of whether or not you decide to pursue music as your major field of study. UNO offers a variety of instrumental ensemble opportunities for our students, including the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Heartland Philharmonic Orchestra, University Band, Marching Mavericks, Contemporary Music Ensemble, Flute Choir, and a variety of Chamber Ensembles. Ensemble scholarships for both majors and non-majors are available. Unlike many larger universities, undergraduate students at UNO are able to enjoy the valuable experience of playing in the school's top ensembles while still offering challenging musical experiences for our graduate students.

 

In the flute studio at UNO, the primary focus is mastery of flute tone and technique, as well as developing skills of musicianship, entrepreneurship and professionalism. Other areas of emphasis include piccolo studies, contemporary techniques, and orchestral excerpts. Flute lessons focus not only on technical issues, but also on expanding knowledge of the standard repertoire, improving sight- reading and performance skills, musical interpretation, and the ability to apply these skills towards teaching others. Dr. Beard also encourages her students pursue unique niches, whether your interests include antique flutes, world flutes, or any other area of flute-related study. At UNO, you will not only receive an exceptional education with individual attention, but you will also have the added benefit of the exciting musical and cultural advantages of metropolitan Omaha.

 

Flutists at UNO find themselves in a challenging, vibrant, rewarding and friendly environment. Members of the flute studio have received many honors, including being selected to perform in the NFA Collegiate Flute Choir and NFA Piccolo Masterclass Competitions; being accepted to present/perform at international flute festivals such as the Canadian Flute Convention and the World Flutes Festival in Argentina; and winning the UNO Concerto-Aria Competition a total of 9 times since 2005 (2005, 2008-2011, and 2013-2016). Recent graduates have won orchestral positions, teaching jobs, flute repair jobs, and/or been accepted to graduate schools where they have been awarded scholarships and assistantships.

UPCOMING FLUTE EVENTS

Toggle cursor over any photo for caption information.

Gallery 1516 Recital

Gallery 1516 Recital

Sophomore flutist Morgan Thompson performing Poem by Charles T. Griffes at UNO's recital series at Gallery 1516

Christopher Lee Masterclass 2022

Christopher Lee Masterclass 2022

Masterclass with guest artist Christopher Lee during the 2022 UNO Flute Festival

Gallery 1516

Gallery 1516

Junior Lily Gimse performing Hypnosis by Ian Clarke at UNO's recital series at Gallery 1516

Christopher coaches Lydia

Christopher coaches Lydia

Christopher Lee coaches UNO senior flute and music education major Lydia Kirkland on the Godard Suite (Sept 2022)

Paige at WFF 2022

Paige at WFF 2022

UNO senior flute performance major Paige Michaud yelling "Yow!" during Ian Clarke's Zoom Tube at the World Flutes Festival in Argentina (Sept 2022)

UNO flute studio 21-22

UNO flute studio 21-22

Sergio Pallottelli masterclass Oct 21

Sergio Pallottelli masterclass Oct 21

Baroque Ensemble concert Oct 21

Baroque Ensemble concert Oct 21

UNO Woodwind Quartet KVNO gig Oct21

UNO Woodwind Quartet KVNO gig Oct21

Ghost Dancers Sp21

Ghost Dancers Sp21

UNO flutes in the MBSC ballroom for our recording of "Ghost Dancers" by James Barnes. 04.13.21

UNO Flutes Chicago Bean 2019

UNO Flutes Chicago Bean 2019

UNO flutes Chicago concet

UNO flutes Chicago concet

UNO flutes performing at the 2019 Chicago Flute Festival (November 2019)

UNO concerto comp 2019

UNO concerto comp 2019

5 UNO flute students competed in the 2019 UNO Concerto-Aria Competition

UNO flutes in Chicago 2019

UNO flutes in Chicago 2019

The UNO flute studio road trip to the Chicago flute festival (November 2019) - Chicago pizza!

UNO Flutes in Chicago 2019

UNO Flutes in Chicago 2019

UNO flutes grab a quick lunch at the Water Tower mall before the final festival recital

UNO HCFC members 2019

UNO HCFC members 2019

UNO students with Dr. Beard after the HCFC spring concert April 2019

Heartland Flute Choir

Heartland Flute Choir

HCFC's annual holiday concert at the Holy Family Shrine (12.18.18)

UNO flute students 2018

UNO flute students 2018

UNO flute students participated in Nebraska's 1st state-wide Flute Choir Festival in Lincoln, NE which drew 60 participants!(09.08.18)

Nebraska Flute Choir Festival 2018

Nebraska Flute Choir Festival 2018

Dr. Beard, Heartland Flute Choir, and UNO flute students participated in Nebraska's 1st state-wide flute choir festival held in Lincoln, which drew 60 participants! (09.08.18)

Toronto LatinAmerican Flute Festival

Toronto LatinAmerican Flute Festival

Dr. Beard invited her MM student Erica to join her in a recital during the 2017 Toronto Latin American Flute Festival

UNO flutes in Buenos Aires

UNO flutes in Buenos Aires

Side trip to Buenos Aires after the World Flute Festival in Mendoza, Argentina (Sept. 2016)

World Flutes Festival 2016

World Flutes Festival 2016

UNO students performing at the XIII Festival Flautas del Mundo in Mendoza, Argentina (Sept. 2016)

Bethany works with Ian Clarke

Bethany works with Ian Clarke

UNO flute major Bethany McAcy receives pointers from the iconic British flutist-composer Ian Clarke at the Texas Flute Festival

Amy Porter masterclass

Amy Porter masterclass

Guest artist Amy Porter working with MM flute student Sara Schuhardt in a flute masterclass at UNO

Concerto winner 2015

Concerto winner 2015

UNO flute major Carlyn Hendler, Concerto-Aria Competition winner, performing Lowell Liebermann's Piccolo Concerto with HPO (2016)

NFA Piccolo Competition Winner

NFA Piccolo Competition Winner

UNO MM flute student Krystle Jones won the opportunity to perform for world-renowned piccolo virtuoso Jean-Louis Beaumadier at the NFA Convention

Subcontra

Subcontra

UNO flute student Jack Lambie was one of the 1st to try out the HCFC's new subcontrabass flute (2014)

Liebermann masterclass

Liebermann masterclass

UNO flute students take notes during the masterclass with Lowell Liebermann in Sioux City, UA (2014)

Masterclass with Horacio Massone

Masterclass with Horacio Massone

Stephanie Booth (BM-Education 2016) receives instruction from guest artist Horacio Massone of Argentina (2014)

Guest artist Christopher Lee

Guest artist Christopher Lee

Post recital with UNO flute students, Dr. Beard and guest artist Christopher Lee of Canada (2015)

Leanna's rockin' performance

Leanna's rockin' performance

Leanna Keith (BM-performance) rocking' it out in a performance of Robert Dick's "Fish Are Jumping" during the 2014 Honors Recital

Andean flute clinic w/Pablo Salcedo

Andean flute clinic w/Pablo Salcedo

UNO flute students after a unique and informative Andean flute workshop with guest artist Pablo Salceo from Mendoza, Argentina

Masterclass with Maria Harding

Masterclass with Maria Harding

Deanna Estrada (BM-Education 2014) works with Maria Harding, principal flute of the Omaha Symphony

Flutes at the Hauntcert 2014

Flutes at the Hauntcert 2014

Dr. Beard with members of the HPO flute section at the annual Hauntcert (2014)

Jim Walker masterclass

Jim Walker masterclass

UNO flute major Anna Hall performed for legendary film and orchestral flutist Jim Walker at the MidSouth Flute Society Festival in Alabama

flute and music.jpeg
UNO Orchestra to feature flute student soloists
May 9

Co-winners of the 2023 UNO Concerto-Aria Competition, senior flute BM majors Paige Michaud and Catherine Boese will perform Fran Doppler's "Andante and Rondo" for two flutes with the UNO Orchestra on Tues 5/9 at 7:30pm in UNO's Strauss PAC Concert Hall.

Screen Shot 2016-03-03 at 4.42.15 PM.jpg
Gallery 1516 to feature UNO woodwind students & flute choir
May 7

UNO's Heartland Flute Choir and woodwind students will perform at Gallery 1516 on Sun, May 7 at 11:30am featuring music for flute/violin/piano, flute/clarinet/piano, saxophone quartet, and flute choir.

Claire James headshot 2021.jpeg
Claire James music & food paring lecture-recital
May 5

Masters student Claire James pairs up with Metro Community College Culinary Institute and OPS to present a unique music & food pairing experience. 11am. RSPVs required.

flute icon.jpg
Catherine Boese & Sofia Cormack student flute recitals
April 22

UNO flute students Catherine Boese (senior flute perf major) and Sofia Cormack (M.M. perf major) will perform recitals at 6pm and 7:30pm.

Erica Wilkins headshot 2020.JPG
Erica Wilkins junior flute/piccolo recital
April 21

Junior BM major Erica Wilkins will perform a flute recital featuring music for flute and piccolo by Mendelssohn, Caliendo, Dahl and Jolivet. 7:30pm Fri, April 21 in the UNO PAC Recital Hall.

FVA00093 (1).JPEG
Nebraska Wind Symphony to feature soloist Paige Michaud
April 16

Senior BM major Paige Michaud, winner of the 2022 NWS concerto scholarship competition, will perform the Finale from Carl Reinecke's Flute Concerto with the NWS on Sunday 4/16 at 7:30pm at UNO's Straauss PAC Concert Hall.

UNO FLUTE NEWS

UNO WW Day logo_edited.jpg

Five new students to join the UNO flute studio in Fall 2022!

WELCOME TO OUR NEW FLUTE MAJORS!

As we prepare for summer break, I'm excited to introduce our incoming flute students. WELCOME UNO's new graduate flute students Sofia Cormack (M.M. flute performance), and Claire James (M.M. flute performance); and also our new undergraduate students: Makayla Coats (BM Music Ed), William Dawdy (BM Flute Performance), and Noah Edwards (BM Flute Performance). We're excited to have you all join us this fall!

IMG_6790.heic

UNO Flute Studio Selected by NFA for Julia Wolfe Premiere

March & August 2022

The UNO Flute Studio was selected by the National Flute Association to be one of 12 flute ensembles world-wide to give the premiere performance of Julia Wolfe's new work for 12 flutes entitled "Oxygen." Each ensemble gave regional premieres before joining together at the 2022 NFA Convention in Chicago for the official premiere featuring 144 flutists. [Photo: members of the UNO Flute Studio post concert with Julia Wolfe at the NFA; August 2022].

WFF2022 Paige Michaud.jpg

Paige Michaud Performed at the World Flutes Festival in Argentina

September 2022

Senior BM flute performance major, Paige Michaud, traveled with her teacher, Dr. Beard to perform at the World Flutes Festival in Mendoza Argentina. The duo gave the South American premiere of "Intuition" for two flutes by Samuel Zyman. Paige also delivered a commanding performance of "Zoom Tube" for solo flute by Ian Clarke. CONGRATULATIONS!

Morgan Thompson_edited.jpg

Morgan Thompson Selected to Represent UNO at NMEA Collegiate Recital

November 2022

Sophomore BM music education and flute major, Morgan Thompson was selected as the UNO representative for the Collegiate Recital at the Nebraska Music Educators Association Convention, for which she performed the Sonata in A Minor, H. 562 for solo flute by CPE Bach. BRAVA!

Catherine Boese 2.jpeg

UNO Concerto-Aria Competition Announces

Co-Winners

April 2023

The UNO Orchestra announced the selection of two winners for the 2023 Concerto-Aria Competition. Congratulations to Paige Michaud who competed with the Ibert Concerto, and Catherine Boese who competed with Matt Smith's Sonata "Nth Degree." Both flutists will be featured with the orchestra in May 2023. [Photo: Catherine Boese]

GUEST ARTISTS at UNO

Christopher Lee masterclass Sept22.jpg

RENOWNED GUEST ARTISTS VISIT UNO

Flutists from around the world travel to Omaha to perform for & work with students at UNO each year. Opportunities to work with national and internationally acclaimed artists on the UNO campus are also: since 2003, guest artists/clinicians to UNO and Omaha have included Carol Wincenc (Julliard), Paul Edmond Davies (London Symphony, retired), The Imani Winds, Christopher Lee (Canada), Peter Sheridan (Australia), Sergio Pallottelli (Italy/TX), Horacio Massone (Argentina), Regina Helcher (Charleston Symphony), Pablo Salcedo (UN-Cuyo, Argentina), Connor Nelson (BGSU), Megan Lanz (Colorado State Univ), Rik Noyse (California State Univ-Dominguez Hills), Alheli Pimienta (Mexico/Canada), James Hall (Univ Northern Colorado), Elizabeth Crone (Virginia Tech Univ), Tamara Evans Yonce (Univ South Dakota), Maria Harding (Omaha Symphony), In Sterio flute duo (Erica Peel and Shivhan Dohse), Duo Pelliroja flute duo (Leslie Marrs, Drake Univ and Nancy Schneeloch-Bingham, Appalachian State Univ), Caen Thomason-Redus (Univ Milwaukee), Leonard Garrison (Univ Idaho), Amy Porter (Univ Michigan); Sonja Giles (Iowa State Univ),  John Bailey (UNL), Thomas Robertello (Indiana Univ), Nicole Esposito (Univ Iowa), Joe Bonner (Arkansas State Univ), Brooks DeWetter-Smith (UNC Chapel Hill), Karl F. Kraber (UT/Austin), Tadeu Coelho (NC School of the Arts); Andreé Martin (Columbus State Univ), Kyle Dzappo (Bradley Univ), Hannah Lang, Daniel Carlo (Burkart Flutes), and Liz Virgili (Sankyo Flute Co.).

Lisa Bost masterclass 2022.jpg

PRIVATE FLUTE LESSONS WITH DR. BEARD

**Now enrolling new students for the 2022-2023 academic year. Please e-mail to inquire!**

UPDATE April 20,2022: Now offering both in person and online lessons without restrictions.

Dr. Beard has been offering and teaching online lessons for over a decade, with remote lessons conducted via numerous platforms including (but not limited to) FaceTime, Zoom, WhatsApp, Skype, and more.*

flute icon.jpg

Rylee L. Selected to Omaha All-City Band and UNO's BOCH Festival

January 2023

Congratulations to senior flutist Rylee L. (Omaha Central) for being selected to both the Omaha All-City Band and to the UNO BOCH Festival. Rylee will graduate in May 2023 and plans to attend college to major in accounting. Way to go!

NMEA logo.png

4 Flute Students Selected to 2022 Nebraska All-State

October 2022

Congrats to the following private flute students who were selected to the NMEA All-State Band in 2022: Grace D. (11th grade), Jack G. (10th grade), Rongyue H. (11th grade), and Luke Z. (10th grade). CONGRATS!!!

Masterclass at Longy (Boston)
Bryant HS flute masterclass
Teaching a flute lesson in Brazil
Piccolo class at Canadian Flute Festival
Dr. Beard with a young flutist in Costa Rica
Working with a flute student in Ecuador
Guatemala flute students
Fixing a student's wrist position
Working with a UNO student during studio class
Masterclass at UN-Cuyo in Mendoza, Argentina

Not in college? That's OK! Dr. Beard teaches private lessons to high school students, pre-high school students, adult professional and amateur players  Due to her active performance schedule and teaching obligations at UNO however, space is very limited and there is typically a waiting list. Due to her detailed teaching style, pre-high school students must set up a face-to-face interview with Dr. Beard prior to being accepted into her private studio; high school students and adults are automatically accepted on a first come, first served basis as space permits.

Highly sought after as a teacher, performer and clinician throughout the United States and abroad, Dr. Beard has over 30 years experience teaching flute and piccolo, including both private and collegiate instruction, as well as in masterclasses and clinics. To study with Dr. Beard means that you will be working with an internationally respected performer and teacher who has connections in the music industry worldwide. Not only do her students receive excellent flute instruction and coaching, but they also get to take advantage of the numerous guest artist events afforded to them through her work at UNO.

BENEFIT OF LESSONS

Why should a student study privately? In most cases, students learn to play their instruments in a large, mixed ensemble classroom experience. This makes individualized attention very difficult and attention to detail often inadvertently falls through the cracks. Additionally, often the ensemble director may not be a specialist on flute. Again, though unintentional, bad habits can form as a result of not knowing or not completely understanding the pedagogical issues related to flute. Tone production on the flute is unlike any other wind instrument and thus needs a deeper understanding of the instrument to develop a beautiful sound and vibrato, and to ensure proper breathing is learned and posture is monitored to prevent physical discomfort. Furthermore, private instruction allows for specific flute materials to be studied and mastered which help players to improve more quickly, resulting in advancement in their chair placement, All-State auditions, higher rating in solo competitions, and - for the most serious players - acceptance into collegiate programs as a music major. Dr. Beard's pedagogy is heavily based in the French Paris Conservatory tradition with a modern American flare: there is a heavy focus on the fundamentals, but she is also very passionate in training the entire musician and therefore, customizes her curriculum to fit every student's individual needs, goals and interests.

LESSON FEES & PAYMENT

Tuition rates are $50 per hour for weekly lessons. Compared to many other professionals in the metro area, this is relatively low - due in part to the fact that Dr. Beard wants to keep her costs as manageable as possible because she really loves teaching and wants to make her studio accessible to all passionate and hard-working students regardless of financial situation. Despite this, she realizes that even this reduced amount may not be possible for all families. Therefore, one scholarship is available for 1 student based on financial need (please contact Dr. Beard directly to inquire about this option). Payment for lessons is accepted on a weekly or monthly basis by check, cash, or PayPal/Venmo.

LESSON LOCATION & TIMES

Lessons take place either in her studio on the UNO campus, or at Dr. Beard's house (located in Council Bluffs, IA).

bottom of page