Flute Lessons

The Flute

Although originally made from wood, the flute is one of the few instruments in the woodwind family that is made from metal. The world’s oldest flute was made using the bone of a bear about 45,000 years ago! Today, flutes are primarily made out of silver-plated nickel and silver. Gold and platinum flutes do exist, but are very expensive. The highest voice in the woodwind section, the flute is often in charge of carrying the melody and is featured in solos. The flute is a beautiful, versatile instrument that can play a wide range of styles and emotions.

What's the Difference Between the Flute and the Piccolo?

The flute and piccolo have a similar shape and are held the same when playing. They are different in size with the flute being double the size of the piccolo. The piccolo plays higher notes (one octave) than the flute. Reading of music and fingering is the same between both instruments.

Flute Lessons

Flute lessons at Charlotte Academy of Music are engaging and tailored to each student’s individual needs. Whether you are just getting started, preparing for solo and ensemble auditions or school band auditions, we can help! Our experienced flute instructor, Connie Beach, holds a Master of Music degree in flute performance from the University of Memphis.

CAM offers two ways to enjoy flute lessons, in person at Charlotte Academy of Music, or online via virtual music lessons. All CAM students, those who have lessons in person at the Academy and those who connect with their teacher without having to leave the comfort of their homes, have access to all CAM events…recitals, special events, incentive programs and more!

Children as young as age 5 can begin flute lessons if their flute has a curved head joint. Beginning students will learn the fundamentals of proper embouchure, tone production and reading music. More advanced students will focus on developing proficiency with technique, articulation, vibrato and advanced repertoire.

Where can I go for flute repair?

Charlotte Academy of Music happily recommends the following companies/individuals for professional flute repair.

J.L. Smith & Co, Inc  901 Blairhill Rd., Suite 400, Charlotte, NC 28217  704.521.1088  flutes@jlsmithco.com

Joy Sears  851 Bayshore Lane, Moore, SC  29369  864-415-9780  fluterepair@joysears.com

Whats Included

• A Multitude of Performance opportunities
• Audition Preparation
• Student Rewards to celebrate accomplishments
• CAM tote bag and Getting Started Packet
• Front Desk staff to assist you 5 days a week
• Inspiring, supportive environment

Taking part in the multitude of opportunities at CAM is important to each student’s success. In addition to weekly lessons, many of our students thrive in our Compass Achievement Program, participate in our many concerts and special events, and work together to help our community through our CAM Cares program.

Our Flute Teacher

Connie Beach Hillard

With over 35 years of teaching experience, Connie is well-qualified to teach students of all ages and levels of advancement. At Charlotte Academy of Music, Connie has teaches flute, piano, clarinet and saxophone lessons. She has served as an instructor with the University of Memphis Suzuki Piano and Flute School, and is the past president of the Germantown Collierville Piano Teachers Association. Connie holds a Master of Music degree from the University of Memphis.

In addition to being a fine teacher, Connie is an active performer. She has played with the Memphis, Germantown and Charlotte symphonies, and has extensive experience performing in solo, chamber, theater and jazz/pop venues. Before coming to Charlotte in 2001, she performed and taught in Memphis, Tennessee, having performed live and in the studio with Isaac Hayes, Ray Charles, Rod Stewart, and numerous area church and free-lance orchestras, and with the chamber groups Pyramid Winds, Trio Classique and the Lorelei Duo. She was a featured soloist with the Germantown Symphony, performing the Nielsen Concerto and the Mozart Concerto for Flute and Harp with Carrol McLaughlin. In Memphis, she was co-founder and past president of the Memphis Flute Society and past president of the Germantown Collierville Area Piano Teachers Association.

Here in Charlotte, Connie is active in the Charlotte Piano Teachers Forum, has served as Associate Director of the Charlotte Flute Choir, Junior Flute Choir, and is actively performing in numerous other local chamber, theater, and orchestral groups. We are so pleased to have Connie on faculty at CAM.

Kania Mills

Kania Mills is a classically trained clarinetist/saxophonist from Charlotte, North Carolina. In addition to those instruments, she also teaches flute and beginning piano. We are so excited to have her on faculty at CAM!

Kania as been an educator for sixteen years. She received her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in Clarinet Performance from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where she studied with Igor Begelman, Daniel McKelway and the late Robert Listokin. She has also had studies with Charles Neidich from Juilliard and her masterclass performances include work with distinguished musicians, clarinetist Richard Stoltzman, jazz clarinetist Eddie Daniels, Alan Kay and the New York Woodwind Quintet.

Kania has been the concertmaster for the Salem Band over ten years, and also performs with the Salem Swing Band. She is the manager of the Salem Sax Quartet. She has been a member of the Piedmont Wind Symphony (Eb Clarinetist) for 20 years, now under the direction of Mark Norman, and has performed with Grammy award winning artists, Al Jarreau, Diane Schurr, Ronnie Milsap, Dionne Warwick, Arturo Sandoval, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Paul Anka, Kenny G, America, Neil Sedaka, and other accomplished performers, The Capitol Bones, The Three Irish Tenors, Ben Folds, The Wailers and Renee Elise Goldsberry.

Kania performs extensively as a soloist and chamber musician throughout the United States and has participated in numerous conferences, festivals, operas, musicals, and chamber music ensembles, which includes The Doppler Effect, YNO (Your Neighborhood Orchestra) in Charlotte and is a WDAV Classical Noteworthy Artist. Kania is a recording studio artist and works on various projects for multiple producers.

Her prior experience includes Broadway Theater Productions under the direction of Kevin Stites as a multiple woodwind pit musician with performances in New York. Kania is passionate about giving back to her students and community. Her teaching experience includes both private lessons and working with various ensembles in middle schools, high schools, pre-college/college programs and universities. She has coached chamber ensembles and prepares students for all-district, all-county, all-state, recitals and competitions.

To learn more about Piano lessons, contact us for a studio tour.
Or, if you’re ready to begin your musical journey, enroll today!

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