Unlike classroom teachers, most flute instructors begin their careers with little training in pedagogy and have little guidance in becoming an effective teacher. Unless they hold a degree in education, many have never taken a course in the psychology of teaching and learning. Unlike student teachers, who receive systematic mentoring, graduate teaching assistants are often left to fend for themselves. Some have taken courses in pedagogy on their instruments, but these address details of technique and repertoire more than how to communicate with, nurture, and motivate students. There is a huge body of literature on classroom teaching, especially with younger students, but relatively little on one-on-one instruction.

This workshop describes the traits of effective applied teachers by summarizing research on teaching on the studio setting and relating Garrison's teaching techniques developed over three decades of experience. Issues addressed include advantages of individual vs. group instruction, the teacher-student relationship, styles and techniques of verbal and nonverbal communication, the use of “scaffolding,” the structure of lessons and teaching cycles, motivation, and evaluation, assessment, and grading.

Bring your flutes and be prepared for some fun role-playing!

Leonard Garrison is Assistant Professor of Flute and Aural Skills in the Lionel Hampton School of Music at the University of Idaho, flutist in The Northwest Wind Quintet and The Scott/Garrison Duo, and Principal Flutist of the Walla Walla Symphony. He also teaches and performs at the Red Lodge Music Festival in Montana and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Michigan. He has recorded solo CDs for Albany Records and Capstone Records and been a soloist on National Public Radio's "Performance Today," winner of the 2003 Byron Hester Competition, concerto soloist on both flute and piccolo, and a frequent performer at National Flute Association conventions.

Garrison is Chair of the Board of Directors of The National Flute Association and has also been the NFA's Treasurer and Secretary. Before moving to Idaho. he was Instructor of Flute at The University of Tulsa, Visiting Assistant Professor of Flute at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, and Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Arkansas and at the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire. He has performed in the Chicago Symphony (including a 2003 tour of Japan), the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, the Tulsa Philharmonic and Tulsa Opera Orchestra, the Scotia Festival, and the Music Festival of Arkansas. The Flutist Quarterly and Flute Talk have published his articles.

Leonard holds a Doctor of Music degree from Northwestern University, where he studied with Walfrid Kujala and Richard Graef. He received Master of Music and Master of Arts degrees from The State University of New York at Stony Brook, studying with Samuel Baron. His Bachelor of Music is from the The Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where his teacher was Robert Willoughby.