Joelle Teal
My path from the beginning days of elementary band to a career as a professional flutist has been full of challenges and discoveries in everything from better practice habits and technical mastery to controlling performance anxiety and excelling in auditions. Now I seek to share my knowledge and passion with you! I want to help you become a better flutist!
My Flute, My Passion
Like many students, I started flute in elementary band, and while I loved my instrument from the start , it wasn’t until I began studying privately that my skills truly developed, leading me to to pursue a career in music. As I progressed through my high school and college years, I played in everything I could: marching band, wind ensembles, symphony orchestras, flute choirs, masterclasses, chamber ensembles, solo performances, pit orchestras, community ensembles, and more.
In college, I had the opportunity to spend hours a day practicing flute or piccolo, pouring over literature, delving deeper into pedagogy, and focusing my energy on learning to practice, perform, and audition better. During these long hours of focused study, I realized I wished not only to perform but to teach. I struggled as a young flutist in many ways: to take my best performances out of the practice room and onto the stage or into an audition; to practice efficiently and learn music quickly and accurately; to understand the complex relationships between physical control and beautiful tone; to easily apply the elements of musicality I wanted to showcase in a given work. Because I remember these challenges and worked to overcome them, I know you can as well, and I want to make all that hard work so much easier by helping you along the way!
With the knowledge and experience gained from years of study, performance, and work as a flutist, I now understand the intricacies of creating gorgeous tone, honing technique, learning music more easily, and practicing effectively, and I want to share my abilities and all the knowledge I have gained with you! Regardless of what stage you’re at in your musical development, I want to help you become a better flutist, a better musician.
Whether you want private instruction, helpful online resources, a collaborative musician, or an adjudicator or clinician, I would be honored to be a part of your musical journey.
Private Lessons
One-on-one lessons tailored to your specific goals and needs. In person (KC area) or online. Weekly and a la carte options.
Collaborate
From freelance solo flute work and ensemble collaborations to festival adjudications and clinics, I would love to work with you.
Reviews
I worked with Joelle for a little over two years, and I can honestly say she is the greatest teacher and person I have ever worked with. Working with her was a privilege because of her endless positivity and creativity when it came to teaching. No matter the obstacle, she always found a way to overcome it without creating feelings of insecurity. Not only this, but she truly cares about every student she works with and finds a way to meed their needs. She wants music to be enjoyable and exciting for students, and this shows in every lesson.”
-Kelli, student
Chad Willis, Collaborative Pianist
Joelle is an outstanding flutist. Her playing is always spot on and tone is vibrant and free. She is humble and easy to collaborate with. I regularly accompany her flute studio students for their Spring Recital and see her use a variety of techniques to help students with rhythm and tone. I highly recommend Joelle as both a flute instructor and performer!
Jeff Lean, Liberty Middle School Bands (retired)
Joelle is so positive with our flute students at our festival. Several students described her as "sweet" and very helpful in her comments to the performers. Joelle is the rare mix of performer with an educator's heart.
Becoming a better flutist
Joelle Teal holds a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance from Missouri State University, graduating summa cum laude from the Honors College with a departmental distinction in Music, earned for her work in orchestral and chamber literature and performance.
As a Kansas City musician, Joelle works as a freelance flutist, gigging and performing as a soloist and with area ensembles and musicians. She also clinics with area band directors and serves as an adjudicator for high school All District Band auditions and various solo and small ensemble festivals.