Three of Pioneer Valley High School’s top flute players accompanied 15 other budding flutists from the Central Coast for an all-day flute boot camp on March 28 at Allan Hancock College.
Taught by world-renowned Yamaha performing artist and northern Santa Barbara County native Tracy Harris, the students learned a wide variety of flute fundamentals ranging from how to sit properly in a chair to how to play a great tune. The workshop was conducted within an intensive six-hour class period and ended with a flute performance by the class, as well as a few solos from Harris herself.
“In my flute boot camps I address all of the critically important techniques necessary for successful execution of things like tone, intonation, articulation, breathing, vibrato, hand position, and much more,” Harris said. “Students come to my camps because many don’t have a private teacher, and my camps provide them with a firm technical foundation.”
Madi Carrel, Porsha Jones, and Alicia Perez from the PVHS Band attended the camp.
“So many things that I have always done I found out were wrong. Ms. Harris showed us her ways to change them and get a much better sound,” Carrel said on Pioneer Valley’s website. “I am excited to take all of this information back to my section in band and teach them what we learned here today. This has been an incredible day! I am really glad that I decided to come.”
PVHS Director of Bands, Cindy Wehlander, arranged for the girls to attend and is thrilled with the success of the day.
“This was a life changing opportunity today. Working with Tracy Harris, one on one, was almost an unimaginable chance of a lifetime,” Wehlander said on the site. “My students cannot believe the difference in their tone, just from one day with her! Giving up time on my weekends is so worth it when I see the growth and awe in my students.”
Harris said it was a great experience for her as well.
“The kids loved it, and the band directors came up to me and expressed how much they appreciated hearing how to play and teach flute with such easy-to-understand and effective techniques,” Harris said.
The flutist said she was invited back to the area by various schools and plans on returning very soon.
“Santa Barbara County is my home away from home. It is a wonderful community and I love the music scene,” Harris said.
For more information on the flute boot camps or to have Harris visit your school, visit fluteboot.com.
This article appears in Apr 9-16, 2015.