Ruth Kasckow
About
Flutist Ruth Kasckow is a frequent performer in orchestras, chamber music ensembles, and solo recitals throughout Southern California. She performs chamber music and solo recitals frequently at the Noon Series at Pasadena Presbyterian Church and Glendale Noon Series, and has played in Burbank Symphony, Santa Monica Symphony, Opera a la Carte, Orquesta mexicana de la juventud in Mexico City to name a few.
Ruth was on the Pasadena Conservatory of Music faculty for many years, and now maintains her own thriving private teaching studio in La Canada, California. She recently received the “Finest Music Teacher Award” by the readers of Crescenta Valley Times.
One of Ruth’s passions is helping other musicians improve their playing and avoid injury with healthy movement. As a licensed Body Mapping Educator she teaches the innovative educational technique called Body Mapping for Musicians. She is also a Franklin Method Level 3 Educator helping musicians understand the body and move with ease.
Ruth has published The Flute Duet Practice Books and Chinese Folk Song Suite for Flute Quartet, and has recorded two solo CD’s with pianist Christopher Brennan: French Impressions for Flute and German Expressions for Flute. Her past teachers, mentors, and master class teachers include Jean-Pierre Rampal, Julius Baker, Liisa Ruoho, Bonnie Lake, David Shostac, Toshio Takahashi, Jim Walker, and Keith Underwood.
Group Class Reviews
The class was very informative - it's kind of amazing to me how little I knew before about how my body actually works when playing the flute! Ruth is very knowledgeable, sincere, and charming.
Insightful information was presented with practical exercises on how to implement the new ideas into our breathing and playing.
Informative.
Learned some new concepts I want to put into practice!
Whole course so enlightening. Ruth delivers the information in a down to earth and accessible way, while addressing some quite deep concepts!
Highly recommend to anyone who plays the flute, however experienced or not, to understand what’s happening inside the body, and not just in the areas we usually think about. Some great tips for releasing tension also scattered throughout the course. Thank you so much.
I loved learning how to map the body and how it applies to flute playing.
Really imaginative and informative.
Great, informative, class.
Ruth does a wonderful job of bringing awareness to all the movement that goes on inside of us every time we pick up an instrument. A very valuable class for not just flutists, but all musicians!
Thank you, Ruth, for so much fascinating information! Very helpful! A unique class and well-presented!
Very enjoyable and informative
Fabulous!
I enjoyed this class and learned a lot. Ruth is an excellent teacher. Thank you, Ruth.
Great class for learning numerous anatomical features that influence, and can be used to improve, flute performance.
First class, very professional, extremely informative
This class was awesome! Overall, it added to my developing a felt sense of my body and specifically recognizing opportunities for moving quiet muscles in my face. The notes and supporting materials posted in Lessonface added to my understanding of the material.
Teaching Style
Ruth offers expert flute instruction that emphasizes musical growth, flute mastery and appreciation for music.
Ruth Kasckow, flutist and flute teacher delights in sharing her passion for flute with her students. Ruth feels each lesson is a unique opportunity for growth, mastery and lasting appreciation for flute and music. Having taught for 40 years, Ruth knows how to teach all ages and levels of students to give them the tools to be successful. Her lessons emphasize proper technique and musical expression in a supportive, positive environment. Her teaching prepares students to play confidently in school bands, orchestras, competitions, recitals., and for the joy of playing music.
Ruth knows that the best learning happens in a relaxed, happy environment. She also knows that each student is an individual and has his or her own learning style. Ruth listens and responds to each individual student to provide the best possible teaching that works for the student. Ruth is a trained in Body Mapping for Musicians to observe and correct students’ body usage and movement so students can play with more ease and less tension.
Ruth teaches Playing Flute from the Inside Out on Lessonface which integrates principles from Body Mapping, Franklin Method, her studies with Keith Underwood and her own many years of teaching flute.
Ruth teaches individual and group classes in Body Mapping and Franklin Method.
Curriculum
Ruth uses multiple texts depending on the age, level, and focus of the student. Beginners will begin with Suzuki Flute Method 1 and 2, A Tune a Day, or Rubank Elementary level. Intermediate students will continue with Rubank Intermediate, Suzuki Method 3, Cavally 24 Short Concert Pieces, Cavally Etudes and Progressive Studies 1, Additional scale studies will be included. More advanced students will study Taffanel and Gaubert Daily Exercises, Moyse De la sonorite, any number of etude books (Cavally #2 and #3, Anderson, etc), and repertoire including JS Bach Sonatas, Poulenc Sonata, Hindemith Sonata, and many more.
Credentials & Affiliations
Ruth holds a BA in Music from Goucher College in Towson, Maryland and an MFA in Flute Performance from California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, California. She has her Suzuki Flute Teacher Certification through Book 4. She is licensed Body Mapping Educator and a Franklin Method Educator Level 3. She is a member and active in many organizations including: National Flute Association, Music Teachers Association of California, Performing Arts Medicine Association, Association of Body Mapping Educators, and Music Union Local 47 of Los Angeles.