2020 Workshops
Rhonda Larson
Grammy-award winning flutist and composer Rhonda Larson presents an immersive workshop on improvisation and tapping into your inner creativity without fear.
Grammy-award winning flutist and composer Rhonda Larson presents an immersive workshop on improvisation and tapping into your inner creativity without fear.
2019 Workshops
The Dances of the Bach A Minor Partita
Presented by Dr. Barbara Hopkins
The four movements of the Bach Partita are dances which anyone of his time would have been familiar with. What if a later composer wrote a dance suite and titled the movements Tango, Waltz and Samba, or even Twist, Macarena and Floss? How would that influence your interpretation? Join Dr. Barbara Hopkins as she explores the Allemande, Corrente, Sarabande, and Bouree as seen through the eyes of Bach's contemporaries. She will discuss the characteristics of each dance and perform examples by Telemann, Quantz, and Braun on Baroque flute. A performance of the Partita will close the workshop.
Barbara Hopkins is chair of the National Flute Association Historical Flutes Committee. An active performer on both modern and historical flutes, she plays Assistant Principal Flute with the Hartford Symphony and historical flutes with the Rosewood Chamber Ensemble. Rosewood Chamber Ensemble, a period instrument flute and guitar duo, has performed in Boston, New York City, Washington D.C., and throughout New England. Their CD, Songs and Dances of Early America, was reviewed by Flute Talk magazine: “This refreshing CD is one you’ll want to listen to over and over again.”
Dr. Hopkins teaches at the Hartt School Community Division, Sacred Heart University, and Manchester Community College. Committed to music education for everyone, she teaches flute, Baroque flute, Suzuki flute, and coordinates the Adult Chamber Music program at Hartt Community Division.
Barbara earned her DMA at Stony Brook University, her MM at The Mannes College of Music, and her BM at The Hartt School (BarbaraHopkins.com)
Presented by Dr. Barbara Hopkins
The four movements of the Bach Partita are dances which anyone of his time would have been familiar with. What if a later composer wrote a dance suite and titled the movements Tango, Waltz and Samba, or even Twist, Macarena and Floss? How would that influence your interpretation? Join Dr. Barbara Hopkins as she explores the Allemande, Corrente, Sarabande, and Bouree as seen through the eyes of Bach's contemporaries. She will discuss the characteristics of each dance and perform examples by Telemann, Quantz, and Braun on Baroque flute. A performance of the Partita will close the workshop.
Barbara Hopkins is chair of the National Flute Association Historical Flutes Committee. An active performer on both modern and historical flutes, she plays Assistant Principal Flute with the Hartford Symphony and historical flutes with the Rosewood Chamber Ensemble. Rosewood Chamber Ensemble, a period instrument flute and guitar duo, has performed in Boston, New York City, Washington D.C., and throughout New England. Their CD, Songs and Dances of Early America, was reviewed by Flute Talk magazine: “This refreshing CD is one you’ll want to listen to over and over again.”
Dr. Hopkins teaches at the Hartt School Community Division, Sacred Heart University, and Manchester Community College. Committed to music education for everyone, she teaches flute, Baroque flute, Suzuki flute, and coordinates the Adult Chamber Music program at Hartt Community Division.
Barbara earned her DMA at Stony Brook University, her MM at The Mannes College of Music, and her BM at The Hartt School (BarbaraHopkins.com)
Free Your Neck and the Rest Will Follow: Alexander Technique and Flute Playing
Presented by Heather Stegmaier
Flute players can get themselves pretty twisted up while playing. Shoulders tense, neck is stiff, and after awhile everything hurts. But we power through, for better or for worse. Thanks to the Alexander Technique (AT) it doesn't have to be this way!
AT is an effective method for self-care and injury prevention for musicians. In this experiential workshop, learn how to free up your body while playing (specifically the head, neck, shoulders and back) to rid yourself of unnecessary strain, tension and pain. Heather will guide participants in some gentle movement with and without your flute and introduce practical skills to incorporate while playing your flute.
Heather Stegmaier has performed as a flutist in various ensembles throughout the Northeast including the Blackledge Flutes, Bach Festival Orchestra of Bethlehem, PA, Sol Solis Consort and the Connecticut Flute Orchestra. Heather holds a Master of Music degree in Flute Performance from the Hartt School of Music and a Bachelor of Music degree in Flute Performance from Moravian College. She enjoyed working as a private flute instructor in the Greater Hartford, CT area from 2002-2011 where, in addition to teaching private lessons, she started flute ensemble programs and taught master classes in schools and music studios. In 2009, she received her certification to teach the Alexander Technique, an educational method for the improvement of posture, balance and mobility. Heather lives and teaches in Southington, CT and also works in University Relations at Wesleyan University.
Presented by Heather Stegmaier
Flute players can get themselves pretty twisted up while playing. Shoulders tense, neck is stiff, and after awhile everything hurts. But we power through, for better or for worse. Thanks to the Alexander Technique (AT) it doesn't have to be this way!
AT is an effective method for self-care and injury prevention for musicians. In this experiential workshop, learn how to free up your body while playing (specifically the head, neck, shoulders and back) to rid yourself of unnecessary strain, tension and pain. Heather will guide participants in some gentle movement with and without your flute and introduce practical skills to incorporate while playing your flute.
Heather Stegmaier has performed as a flutist in various ensembles throughout the Northeast including the Blackledge Flutes, Bach Festival Orchestra of Bethlehem, PA, Sol Solis Consort and the Connecticut Flute Orchestra. Heather holds a Master of Music degree in Flute Performance from the Hartt School of Music and a Bachelor of Music degree in Flute Performance from Moravian College. She enjoyed working as a private flute instructor in the Greater Hartford, CT area from 2002-2011 where, in addition to teaching private lessons, she started flute ensemble programs and taught master classes in schools and music studios. In 2009, she received her certification to teach the Alexander Technique, an educational method for the improvement of posture, balance and mobility. Heather lives and teaches in Southington, CT and also works in University Relations at Wesleyan University.
Free Improvisation: Making Music in the Moment
Presented by Minta White
Free Improvisation - what does it mean? How can I use the skills I already have to create freely improvised music? Where do the ideas come from? What happens if I run out of ideas?
Have you ever wanted to try improvisation? Or have you tried it before, but weren’t sure how to expand upon your ideas? This workshop will take you on an improvisation adventure! We will discuss a variety of approaches to the process of free improvisation, using the talents and skills you already possess.
During our explorations, we will build upon your musical skills to create brand new improvisations in ad hoc ensembles. All levels are welcome. Participation in ensembles strongly encouraged - please bring your instrument to the workshop! (If you are a returning participant, feel free to share any improvisation insights you have discovered since last year).
Minta White is an award-winning flutist, chamber musician, and improvisor. Her "amazing range of flute usage" crosses many genres, including classical music, jazz, free music, Chinese traditional folk music, Latin American music and more. She graduated from Longy School of Music of Bard College in Cambridge, MA, in 2012 where she earned a Master of Music degree in Modern American Music Performance. She has performed with many well-known improvisors, including Latin Grammy winner Alex Brown, pianist for Paquito D’Rivera’s band, Joe Morris (guitar) and Stephen Haynes (trumpet). For more about Minta, please visit www.mintawhite.com.
Presented by Minta White
Free Improvisation - what does it mean? How can I use the skills I already have to create freely improvised music? Where do the ideas come from? What happens if I run out of ideas?
Have you ever wanted to try improvisation? Or have you tried it before, but weren’t sure how to expand upon your ideas? This workshop will take you on an improvisation adventure! We will discuss a variety of approaches to the process of free improvisation, using the talents and skills you already possess.
During our explorations, we will build upon your musical skills to create brand new improvisations in ad hoc ensembles. All levels are welcome. Participation in ensembles strongly encouraged - please bring your instrument to the workshop! (If you are a returning participant, feel free to share any improvisation insights you have discovered since last year).
Minta White is an award-winning flutist, chamber musician, and improvisor. Her "amazing range of flute usage" crosses many genres, including classical music, jazz, free music, Chinese traditional folk music, Latin American music and more. She graduated from Longy School of Music of Bard College in Cambridge, MA, in 2012 where she earned a Master of Music degree in Modern American Music Performance. She has performed with many well-known improvisors, including Latin Grammy winner Alex Brown, pianist for Paquito D’Rivera’s band, Joe Morris (guitar) and Stephen Haynes (trumpet). For more about Minta, please visit www.mintawhite.com.
