Perhaps not, but I'd still like to know a bit more about these professors. I'm pretty aware of the school itsself so far.

Anything known on these teachers??

"I've had lessons with all 3 and loved them all equally."

Then it shouldn't matter which you choose -- you will be happy. I read the bios for all three and they are all accomplished perfomers. That doesn't give any indication on how they teach, however.

If you want information about them, why not ask them if you can contact some of their current or former students.

Good luck!

All of my instructors were pricipal players for the local Symphonys....I guess the point I am trying to make is depending on location of the school, you can actually get some good instruction.

You can, of course, get some good instruction, but I don't see that it has much to do with location--assuming you can reach it yourself. Members of major symphony orchestras (even last-desk second-violin members) are generally very good players, but that doesn't necessarily make them very good teachers, nor does any kind of performing distinction necessarily make any performer a good teacher. (I once took a jazz piano class, for example, from someone I consider one of the best jazz pianists around. He was also intelligent, well-rounded, and articulate, but somehow he didn't manage to teach much, and I didn't find the class very profitable. The main problems, I think, had to do with his lack of preparation, his assumption that he could get by on performing skill alone, and the circumstance that he wasn't at the time experienced at giving this sort of class.) It isn't always the case that music schools manage to find the best teachers, unfortunately, but as a general rule they try, and as general rule you're much better off with a "professional career teacher".

You have a very good point Scotch.

Bowling Green is a pretty big school. I imagine that they can pick and choose the people teaching at the institution. I don't think that they would keep anyone on staff if they couldn't instruct.

Georgia State has a very good music department. The instructors there were fabulous. One of them took me from beginning student at the ripe old age of 18 to playing with a Symphony at age 22. Gadsden doesn't have a very big symphony but it was a paying job that I really enjoyed.

I didn't actually start completely from scratch because I played flute in elementary school and first year high school. (braces made me quit. I couldn't take the pain.) I could read music when I started percusssion so I had a jump on it.

I guess that is why I am back playing flute as a hobby.

I suggest that you schedule a few lessons with each instructor and then make your decision.

I would pick Nina at Bowling Green State.

But why would you pick her? Any particular reason why?


I like all of their teaching styles. Even though they differ a bit, they all have the qualities I am looking for in a teacher. And they seem like great teachers as well. I'm just looking for any insight on these teachers or any background info that I dont already know (ex: their bios on websites and stuff). Personal experience or know of those who have had experience is what I'm looking for.

you won't really know how they are until you actually study with them as part of a program, meet with them to see what they require, find out if they assign pieces to you or let you choose...only time will tell how you get along with them though

Amanda Lee,

Without going into deep detail, because there is a whole entire concept that would need to be discussed, I believe Nina may be the best choice of the three for you. I base this on what and how you are asking your questions, and what resources I have of the three choices.

(Obviously this is an opinion)- When looking at who and where they studied and when looking at what they have done and what they are doing now; Nina is more open to and involved in the new direction of where music will be going. Nina has more outside influences and influences of different logics which will allow for you to be exposed to more opportunities or at least suggestions to take risks as a flute player. I think she will allow more direction from you as to how you want to study as opposed to being 'controlled' by the traditional school methods.

And I think Nina will end up quesitoning or getting you to question what you really want to do and what you can do when the time is right.

Nina? As in Nina Perlove?

Is Bowling Green the same as Northern Kentucky University?

I would love to study with Nina. She seems as though she would be a good teacher. I have emailed her with a question or two. She always answers.

Very nice lady.

I would pick Nina because of everything she is doing right now. She seems very in touch with where fluting is going in the future.

Sorry - it's been busy the last few days...

What I meant by my comment was that "professional teachers" are exactly that - people who only teach music and don't do anything outside of teaching.

This quote a few posts back summed this up quite well:

(Obviously this is an opinion)- When looking at who and where they studied and when looking at what they have done and what they are doing now;

If they are major players at local symphonies and so on, they ARE professionals who also teach in their spare time, or essentially live and work as such.(though it may appear that they spend far more time teaching, they'll almost always see themselves as a teacher second - heh)

As for your specific situation:

About the place that works off of endowments and is free, um.. go for it if you can. Free is always the major determiner, IME, if most other things are roughly similar.

What I meant by my comment was that "professional teachers" are exactly that - people who only teach music and don't do anything outside of teaching.

Really? And where exactly is this species of animal to be found? (It seems to me the context was very clear: We are talking here about music school teachers. Most music school teachers are required to participate in regular faculty recitals--in addition to whatever other performing they may do.)

You seem remarkably oblivious of the obvious circumstance that ability to play an instrument does not automatically confer ability to teach. Ability to teach is the sought-after attribute here.