Merlin Shakaj

Merlin is a qualified and experienced flute teacher based in Oxford. She has been teaching for a number of years, people of all ages and abilities.

She recently graduated from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London, completing her Postgraduate Diploma in Flute Performance. Highlights during the past two years were playing with Opera Welsh Orchestra in Cardiff and The flute Choir of Trinity Laban in London. Collaborating with British composers and performing new works.

In 2018, she was invited to join the National Radio-Television Orchestra of Albania where she performed around the country as a principal flutist and collaborated with highly regarded conductors such as Anna Volchenko, Uwe Theimer, Mateusz Moleda and Noorman Widjaja.

Alongside completing her studies, Merlin has participated in many Festivals and summer music academies around Europe and has had masterclasses with distinguished soloists such as Philippe Racine, Ljubisa Jovanovic and Erwin Klambauer.

Her approach to lessons is to make them enjoyable and fun with a relaxed manner whilst at the same time pushing the students to reach their full potential. All lessons are tailored to the needs of the individual, ranging from total beginners to graded examinations with all the leading examination boards such as ABRSM & Trinity. Although exams are not essential Merlin is happy to teach popular pieces and arrangements for flute just for fun and enjoyment.

Learning from the best in the field is Merlin’s passion and she wants to transfer her knowledge and skills to the young generation of flutists.