Wellington
Flute Lessons | Artist development, Aural Lessons, Ensemble Coaching, Theory Lessons, Online Lessons, Posture for Singers and Instrumentalists
Bio
Barbara grew up in Auckland and was first flute in the Auckland Symphonia, the forerunner of today’s Auckland Philharmonia. As a member of the trio which won first prize in the CMNZ competition, she toured New Zealand before beginning post- graduate study at the Guildhall School of Music in London. Her teachers were Peter Lloyd and William Bennett. This was followed by a year in Montreux, Switzerland at the Institute des Hautes Musicales, and further studies with James Galway, who was principal flute in the Berlin Philharmonic.
She was to spend most of her adult life in Berlin, as a flute teacher and ensemble coach at the Berlin State Music School, as well as an orchestral musician and player in numerous chamber music ensembles. She initiated and led the Berlin Flute Choir Flötissimo, which enjoyed annual rehearsal and concert sojourns at the Landesmusikakademie Hessen near Frankfurt, and in San Vito near Venice, Italy. At the yearly summer music courses near Detmold she taught flute at all levels and coached chamber music.
While touring China for solo concerts and masterclasses she was awarded a guest professorship at the University of Shenyang. Other concert tours were in Germany, Italy, Poland, South Korea and two tours of New Zealand for CMNZ.
Together with guitarist Laurie Randolph she released two CDs of Flute and Guitar repertoire. The Sea Suite and Carmen and Other Surprises received international acclaim.
To maintain and progress her skills as a player and teacher she regularly attended masterclasses given by Denis Bouriakov, Davide Formisano and Felix Renglii at the Brahms Conservatorium in Hamburg.
Barbara moved back to New Zealand two years ago and lives in Wellington. She teaches and performs chamber music concerts with the Aurum Trio, the Zephyr Flute Quartet, the Duruflé Ensemble and others.
She is the founder of the Wellington flute ensemble Vivo Flutes, which rehearses regularly in Te Aro, Wellington.
For details about upcoming concerts please see Barbara’s website under Events.
Teaching Info
For all those keen on learning how to play the flute the first steps deal with producing clear sounds in a natural way, exploring melody lines and developing the ability to play all registers with ease.Most important: a sense of enjoyment and accomplishment.
Pupils are encouraged to prepare for Trinity College and ABRSM exams, and preparation & guidance is offered at all levels, from Grade 1 through to LTCL.
For teenagers and adults who already have flute-playing skills much attention is paid to aspects of their playing which need more clarity, precision and competence. Especially when preparing for exams, performances, auditions and orchestral repertoire pupils are guided towards presenting their program with skill and confidence.
For more information please see my website : barbarahillflute.com