Barbara Hopkins

Student favorite
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Flute, Piccolo, Audition Prep from New School Alumni, Baroque Flute
5.0
(11 reviews)
200+ lessons booked on Lessonface
Barbara Hopkins

Lesson Fees
from $30.00 / 30 Minutes

Promotions Available

Free 15 minute trial lessons

About

Dr. Barbara Hopkins has been helping students achieve their dreams for 30 years. She teaches flute, piccolo, Suzuki method flute, and Baroque flute. Her students have won competitions sponsored by the Music Teachers National Association, National Flute Association, Greater Boston Flute Association, the University of Connecticut, and the Connecticut Music Educators Association; many are successfully teaching music in the public schools.

She currently serves as Assistant Principal Flute with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, and teaches at The Hartt School Community Division of the University of Hartford and Sacred Heart University. She also serves as chair of the Historical Flutes Committee of the National Flute Association and performs on historical flutes with the Rosewood Ensemble. She received her Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Stony Brook University, where she studied with Samuel Baron. She earned her Master of Music from The Mannes College of Music under Thomas Nyfenger, and her Bachelor of Music at The Hartt School with John Wion.  

She has released three solo CDs including Telemann Methodical Sonatas, Vol. 1, and Short Concert Pieces for Flute and Piano and Andersen Etudes, opus 15. Flute Talk magazine recommends her Andersen CD, writing, “Hopkins plays these virtuoso etudes with taste and a technical ease that many students work for years to never achieve.” The Flute Network praised her Telemann recording as, “full, rich, and highly musical,” and the best selling Short Concert Pieces disc was partly funded by a grant from The Hartt School Community Division.

A cousin of nineteenth century Connecticut flute maker Asa Hopkins, Barbara is very interested in early flutes and music. She has acquired several flutes by Asa Hopkins, and has had them restored to playing condition. She founded The Rosewood Chamber Ensemble with guitarist Judy Handler, which specializes in concerts of early music performed on period instruments. The Greater Boston Flute Association Gazette wrote of their Boston concert, “The pieces were played with style and joy, resulting in a captivating performance.” Flute Talk praised their CD, Songs and Dances of Early America, saying, "This refreshing CD is one you will listen to over and over again." It was partly funded by a grant from the University of Connecticut School of Fine Arts.

Barbara was first prize winner in the National Flute Association Orchestral Audition Competition, has been a top prize winner in the New York Flute Club Young Artist Competition, and was awarded a fellowship to Tanglewood Music Center, where she had the honor of playing principal flute under Leonard Bernstein.

More information about Barbara is available at www.BarbaraHopkins.com.

My teaching philosophy is very simple—to teach everyone to the best of my ability, taking into account the student’s goals, current level, innate talent, and personality. I firmly believe that playing a musical instrument is for everyone, regardless of age or ability, and I am happy to teach anyone who is doing their best. My philosophy is heavily influenced by the Suzuki concept, “Every Child Can.” I am also committed to providing learning and performing opportunities for adults. It is important to me that my students enjoy their lessons, learn to do everything correctly, develop musically, and make progress towards goals that we set together.

I have 30 years of teaching experience at all levels, including Hartt Community Division, University of Hartford, Sacred Heart University, University of Connecticut, Stony Brook University, and Marywood University. My teaching emphasizes developing solid musicianship, technique, and problem solving skills in a positive and supportive atmosphere. My students have won competitions sponsored by the Music Teachers National Association, National Flute Association, Greater Boston Flute Association, the University of Connecticut, and the Connecticut Music Educators Association; many are successfully teaching in the public schools. I will help you achieve your goals, too. I work with students of all ages and levels, and am available for everything from regular lessons to being an "extra pair of ears" before an audition; I teach flute, piccolo, and Baroque flute.

Teaching Goals: In my years of teaching, I have developed goals that help my students become the best musicians they can be and achieve their personal goals. Please let me know what you would like to achieve so we can work together. I have achieved my mission when you:

  • Enjoy your lessons and feel that you are in a supportive atmosphere.
  • Are becoming a good musician, and play with good phrasing and expression.
  • Play with proper technique, hand position, tone, and rhythm.
  • Learn practice techniques and problem solving skills which you can apply to other areas of your life.
  • Set musical goals which we can work on together.
  • Play a wide variety of repertoire.

The Hartt School at the University of Hartford, Faculty in regular and Suzuki Flute, and Chamber Music.
Sacred Heart University, Adjunct Flute Professor.
Hartford Symphony Orchestra, Assistant Principal Flute.
Chair, Historical Flutes Committee of the National Flute Association.
Doctor Of Musical Arts in Flute Performance, Stony Brook University.
Master of Music in Flute Performance, The Mannes College of Music at the New School.
Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance, The Hartt School at the University of Hartford.
Suzuki Association of the Americas, Registered Teacher Training

I will work with whatever you have, however I am happy to make recommendations. For beginning through late intermediate students, I like the Rubank Advanced Method (easily available anywhere) and "Flute 101" and "Flute 102" by George and Louke (available on Amazon). Advanced students are more individualized.

Suzuki flute requires that we use the Suzuki Flute Method by Toshio Takahashi. Parents should read either "Nurtured by Love" or "Ability Development from Age Zero," both by Shinichi Suzuki. These are all easily available on Amazon. 

For Baroque flute, I will work with whatever you have. However, if you are just starting the instrument my favorite book is "Method for the One Keyed Flute," by Janice Dockendorff Boland. It is in stock at FluteWorld.com, among other places.

Reviews of lessons with Barbara Hopkins

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