Sunday, February 12, 2017 by Jessica Valiente | Uncategorized

Greetings, Flutists and Flutists' Families:

Some of you, if you've known me for a very long time, know that I used to teach at The New School, in their School for Jazz and Contemporary Music (part of Mannes College of Music).  I was hired to teach music history in 2000.  At the time, they also listed me as part of their flute faculty.  

I didn't stay long, but they continued to list me as a flute faculty option.  All these years later, they contacted me for reactivation. One of their flute majors is interested in pursuing Latin flute styles, so I am now listed as active flute faculty.

If you are a flutist with professional aspirations, and you think those aspirations may include jazz improvisation, Latin music, or other world music styles, I encourage you to audition for The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music.  The school's elite faculty includes some of the most auspicious jazz musicians in the world and is located in the heart of Manhattan, where you can immerse yourself in the best of virtually every style of music in the world.  If you are a reed student (saxophone, clarinet, etc), applying to jazz and conservatory undergraduate programs, it may interest you to know that The New School has a flexible lesson policy.  They allow students to distribute their private lesson allotments among more than one teacher each term,  so that you can develop your doubling skills with the teachers of your choice.  I have taught woodwind doublers who are now playing on Broadway and in other outstanding commercial music positions.  Come to The New School to study with me, and we'll get your flute chops in top condition!

For more information on The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, visit their website.

Monday, January 16, 2017 by Jessica Valiente | Uncategorized

Greetings, Global Flute Studio Students, Friends, and Families,

If you've been wondering what your flute teacher sounds like in the full setting of concert hall, accompaniment, and audience, now is your chance to find out.  I'll be performing a recital (actually, I'll be performing it TWICE) in the month of March.

The first performance is the New Jersey friends and family special preview.  It takes place at Allwood Community Church, 100 Chelsea Road, in Clifton, NJ. That's on Saturday, March 18th, at 3:00 pm, and admission is FREE!  All ages are welcome, of course.

The second performance (of the same program) will take place at Elebash Recital Hall at the CUNY Graduate Center, 365 5th Avenue (diagonally across from the Empire State Building), NYC.  This is on Wednesday evening, March 29th, at 7:30 pm.  Admission is also free here, and this performance will be recorded.  

I will be joined by the outstanding Barry Spatz on piano.  I'll be performing on silver flute on all works except the "Sylvia Scherzo" (that's piccolo).

Here is the program:

Minuet and Dance of the Blesses Spirits - Christoph Willibald Gluck

From Etudes de Salon - Johannes Donjon

     No. 1 - Elegie - Etude

Sonatine - Henri Dutilleux

                        Intermission

Sylvia Scherzo  - Charles Le Thiere

Carnaval de Venise (Carnival of Venice) - Paul Agricole Genin

Um a Zero - Pixinguinha

I Remember Clifford - Benny Golson

Monday, January 2, 2017 by Jessica Valiente | Uncategorized

Happy New Year, Flutists and Flutists' Families!

We hope you had an enjoyable and safe holiday season, filled with family, love, and MUSIC!  If you or anyone you know got a new flute or recorder as a holiday gift, remember that we offer new students a free, introductory lesson.  If you refer a friend and they sign up for a one-month lesson package, you get one one-hour lesson FREE in your next one-month package.

I'll be the first to admit, I'm not great about keeping New Year's resolutions.  But the new year is traditionally a time for reflection and self-improvement.  If any of you were to ask me about realistic advice for improved flute study in the new year, I would say just this: practice daily.  My students and their parents often ask me how much time they should be practicing every day.  That depends on your own goals and your own schedule, and with our busy lives, you may find that it varies from day to day.  But don't skip.  Maybe you have a very busy day.  Take your flute out for 5 minutes, even THREE minutes, and play some long tones.  You can do more on another day that you have more time. But don't skip a day.  You will soon see how much daily practice improves your playing in every way.  

Enjoy these last few moments of holiday vacation, and I look forward to seeing you all in January!

Keep making great music, 

Dr. Jessica

Saturday, December 3, 2016 by Jessica Valiente | Uncategorized

Are you or is your child a middle school or high school flutist in northern NJ, preparing for the North Jersey Regional Auditions in January?  Sharpen your competitive edge in a FREE master class on the audition solos in late December!

We have room for 8 on-stage participants (2 for each piece on the solos list), and plenty of room for auditors (young flutists) and observers (parents and caregivers).  

Master Class Repertoire:

Repertoire: Faure Fantaisie (high school flutists)

Vivaldi: piccolo concerto in G major, rv 438 (high school piccoloists)

Handel: Sonata "VI" (Hal Leonard/Cavally edition) in B minor (9th grade flutists and piccoloists)

Handel: Sonata "V" in F major (Hal Leonard/Cavally edition) in F major (7th and 8th grade flutists and piccoloists 

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 3-5 PM  FREE!!

at Trumpets Jazz Club, 6 Depot Square, Montclair, NJ

Dr. Jessica Valiente is the owner of The Global Flute Studio and a highly sought-after NYC-area freelancer.  She has three decades of expertise in the interpretation of 18th-century music and French flute repertoire.  She is also an alumna of both the North Jersey Regional and New Jersey All-State bands.  In this master class, you'll get expert advice on technical questions, style and interpretation, and priceless audition-room tips!
Light refreshments will be served at the student and parent Q&A immediately following the performers session.

 For more information on how to apply as a performer in the class, or to register as an auditor (flute students) or observer (parents and caregivers), send us an email: jessicalynnevaliente@gmail.com

Link to NJSMA lists for all audition requirements:

http://njsma.com/audition/auditionbandstud.html

Thursday, December 1, 2016 by Jessica Valiente | Uncategorized

Greetings, Flutists and Parents!

Is your child excited about the flute, but a little too small to reach the keys while maintaining correct embouchure position?  Perhaps your child is taking band and struggling to produce that first sound with the flute fully assembled. Sometimes, the instrument's size is the reason.  This is very common with children, even as old as 12 years.  

Curved headjoints have existed for a long time, but they were used for adults to play low-pitched flutes (alto flute, bass flute, etc).  The headjoint is curved, usually in the shape of a candy cane, taking up some of the length, so that the performer can position her lips properly on the embouchure plate while still reaching the keys on the body of the instrument.

A couple of decades ago, the Suzuki method and other methods designed for the very young began using curved headjoints on concert flutes so that smaller children could begin younger by taking advantage of this design principal.

Sometimes a parent purchases or rents a flute for their child with a traditional, straight headjoint, only to find that the instrument is too large.  It's not always possible to get the dealer to switch headjoints without paying more.  Not to worry!  I now have a few of them in The Global Flute Studio, available for any student who needs to use one.  Use is COMPLETELY FREE OF CHARGE.  There's just a security deposit and a contract to sign.  The security deposit will be refunded in full when the student no longer needs to use the curved headjoint and the family returns it to me.

Don't forget, that the fife and other small instruments are available for children who are very, very young, but eager to start.  If your child wants to play the flute but you're concerned about the size, please remember to ask about curved headjoints and small flutes.

Best wishes and keep making music,

Dr. Jessica