Camilla Hoitenga has worked with some of the most important composers of the 20th and 21st centuries. In our conversation we talk about her approach to improvisation, collaborating with composers: in particular her long friendship-collaboration with Kaija Saariaho, and the importance of trusting in, and following your curiosity. I highly recommend listeners to check out her website, and you can find a growing set of masterclasses on Hoitenga's youtube channel.

6:00 Collaborating with Artists: Improvisation

11:10 Collaborating with Composers

13:42 Working with Kaija Saariaho

17:45 Teaching comtemporary music

22:06 Connections to Finland

23:46 Coaching: helping musicians pursue their own path

I hope you enjoy my conversation with Laura Raudaskoski, lector of Flute from the Lapland Institute of Music and Dance.

I asked Laura about how she motivates her eager class, in spite of living way up north, a long distance away from most other flute activities in Finland. We talk about teaching, practicing, and motivating students through collaborations and building a sense of community. Laura's lovely puppies also added to our conversation!

Here we are at the end of this series - but maybe the foundation of everything. Just some ideas to add to your practice on how to become curious about your tone and intonation. Happy fluting - and please, I'd love to hear how the ideas in this series have changed your own practice.

Need some help on how to face technical challenges? In this episode I give you some things to think about in your technical practice, how to apply that to challenges in your ensemble and solo pieces, and help you remember the importance of knowing where you are right now (and how that's fine!!)

Let me explain how I practice Awareness in my studio and practice room. Examples of how to stay present in the practice room, and how to create a safe space for your students to learn how to be aware and present in their work. Awareness helps us become better learners: more motivated, less likely to cause injury, and that leads to more confident performances!

This is the start of a short series on things you can do to find more confidence in ensemble rehearsals and performances. This series is targeted more towards students and adult amateurs- but teachers and ensemble directors stay tuned! Maybe you can pick up ideas, or pass this on to someone you think can benefit.

This first episode focuses on how to up your rhythmic confidence. I share some exercises - and mention one great book: A Rhythmic Vocabulary by Alam Dworsky and Betsy Sansby, published by Dancing Hands Music.

Hi everyone! It's been a while - so I thought I'd share some of the things I've learned from my students so far this year. Thanks to all of you for your listenening and support! Please share The Flute Suite with someone, and review us whereever you listen.

In this episode, I'm reviewing some books that I've found useful to introduce students to extended flute techniques and contemporary performance practice.

Here's a list of the books I talk about in the episode (Note – this is not sponsored in any way – these are just materials that I've found interesting and helpful!)

Musique rigolote pour les jeunes flûtistes (Funny music for young flutists) Ledeuil Éric

Beat Boxing & Beyond and Vol.2 Into the Beyond Mary Matthews and Nicole Chamberlain

For the Younger Flutist Offermans, Wil

Petite méthode des modes de jeu contemporains pour la flûte traversière (Applied and practical method for the principle playing techniques for flute) Sarrien-Perrier, Annick:

Papierblüten – Paper Blossoms 24 short pieces for flute:an introduction to contemporary music Gasser, Ulrich

Flute Update: New Music for Young Flutists various composers

3 Expeditions pour flûte aventureuse Cycle 1 Ledeuil Éric

You can find a more detailed list on the resources page at my website www.kathyweidefeller.com

I'd love it if you'd taie a short survey about your interest in an upcoming workshop!

And join the discussion at The Flute Suite on Facebook! I'd love to hear what books you are using in your practice or teaching studio!

Laura Lentz has given us a new book: The Modal Flute Warmup: Sound Discovery and Color Palette Expansion where she revisits and expands a classic Sam Baron exercise to introduce classical flutists to All the modes, encouraging exploration and discovery.

In this conversation, Laura presents her book, and we talk about the importance of finding space in our practice and teaching to allow for discovery.

You can learn more about Laura and her book at lauralentzflute.com

Hi everyone! An update during the last few days of my summer break on things I've been thinking about, and a little on plans for the future.

I talk in this episode a little about my second passion - photography - and if you're interested in seeing some of my images, you can find them on instagram at kathyweidenfeller (no flute!)

I'd love to hear from you! The Flute Suite is on Instagram and Facebook, as am I, kathy weidenfeller, flutist or visit www.kathyweidenfeller.com

Would you like to help support The Flute Suite? Buy me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/kathy25562