–SOLD OUT– The Refreshed Flautist Retreat is designed over 4 days to give you both music & relaxation in a stunning natural setting on the North Cornish coast. Deepen your flute playing skills, refresh your musicality and take time to rejuvenate by the sea, all with the popular coastal village of St. Agnes as your […]
Afraid of your musical burnout? 6 minutes of comforting advice
Recently a letter appeared in my email from a flautist I’ll call ‘Victor’. — Dear Jessica, I studied flute in the school and this year I will graduate from the Romanian music university from Bucharest. I am not graduating from the university in flute performance, but in pedagogy. Currently I do not feel any passion […]
Everything I know about receiving support (artistic, or otherwise)
On the 2nd of January, 2017 I decided that my New Year was due a restart. I was in bed with Salmonella food poisoning –there was no way I was going to start the year like that. I’ve aligned my celebrations with the Chinese calendar instead. Happy New Year of the Rooster to you–and […]
Happy Flute-mas (yeah, I really did just write that)
Hello Lovely, As you could well be in the middle of gift hunting, snow globe shaking, or even tamale making at this very moment I won’t take any more of your precious time than absolutely necessary. Here is what I want to convey this holiday season: A big glorious thank you for your support in the […]
What I Do as a Flautist When World Events Seem Overwhelming
It’s a tumultuous world energy right now. News events are happening that have brought me tears and a deep frustration because I just don’t know what to do about it. I can feel small in that sense. I have learned that I have to check-in with myself in order to keep it all in perspective. I do this […]
Come Join Jessica: A Free Flute Workshop on Extended Techniques at the Cornwall Flute Festival
Learn The Basics of Extended Flute Techniques A workshop given in collaboration with The Cornwall Music Service Trust, The Cornwall Flute Festival and the Truro School. When: Saturday, 3rd December, 2016, 10am-12pm Location: Truro School Music Department, Trennick Lane, Truro TR1 1TH, Cornwall, UK Workshop Description: In this two hour hands-on workshop, Jessica will show you the […]
“My teacher refused to teach me”. A chat with flautist Ruth Ballantyne about rising above the naysayers (+ her new flute book, too)
Surely you’ve heard about the nightmare piano teacher? She’s the one who’d hit your knuckles with a ruler if you played a wrong note at the keyboard. Shudder. While it can’t be said that ruthless teaching practices are limited to purely musical subjects, I’ve heard far too many of my flute students relate their own horror […]
Tap into your musical flow at the upcoming Flowing Flautist Retreat in Cornwall, UK
I’m leading a second Boho Flute Retreat this year in Cornwall… and you’re invited! This retreat is called The Flowing Flautist and is taking place on the 16th-18th of September, 2016. Achieving a state of ‘flow’ is about being ‘in the zone’ and finding the magic in your playing so that you can tap into […]
My up-close-and-personal conversation with flautist and interdisciplinary performer Zara Lawler
I’ll admit that I was skeptical (and intrigued) when I first read that New York city-based flautist, Zara Lawler combines dance, voice and text while she plays. But, listen– that skepticism didn’t last long because after I watched her brilliant theatrics in action I was hooked. The fact that she quotes poetry by Rumi in the middle of her Andersen etudes (as one […]
The Top Digital Tools That Have Helped Me Build a Global Flute Career
Podcast: How Digital Tools Have Built The Career of A Flute E-Diva Are you interested in offering online teaching as a musician? Listen to some tips in my latest interview with Phil Byrne of Positively Sparking, a weekly web-marketing and digital-life podcast. In this episode we chat about the digital tools that have helped me build […]