Leanna Keith

Certified Private Instructor

Leanna Keith is a fl(a)utist, improviser, and collaborator from Seattle, WA. She is the co-director of the chamber music concert series Kin of the Moon, and the artistic adviser of Dekoboko Taiko. Ms.Keith is also a teaching artist with the Seattle Symphony, where she teaches elementary music, works with Autism Friendly Concerts, and participates in the Lullaby Project. She received a MM in flute performance at the University of Washington with Donna Shin in 2016. In 2014, Ms. Keith received a Bachelor of Music degree in flute performance under Dr. Christine Erlander Beard at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Ms. Keith published “Journey to the East, Flute and Piccolo Solos” through ALRY Publications in 2015. Ms. Keith has taught privately for over eight years, and is dedicated to teaching flute to people of all ages, and especially enjoys working with children. Ms. Keith has previously served as the flute and piccolo specialist for the Omaha location of the Schmitt Music Company, where she taught children as young as 7, middle school and high school students, as well as retirees. Ms. Keith has taught masterclasses and workshops at the University of South Dakota, Denver University, and the University of Washington on a variety of subjects including: flute technique and tone development, extended techniques, composer collaboration, electronics and music creation, improvisation, and world flutes. She was also a featured instructor at the Omaha Under the Radar SOUNDRY young composers camp.

TEACHING STYLE

No two people are the same; we all think differently and learn differently. As a result private music lessons are always a collaborative process. I firmly believe that the fundamentals and even advanced development in the learning of an instrument can be cultivated using techniques beyond the book—improvisation, playing by ear, even sound games are important to develop a musical ear. While I do emphasize traditional repertoire, I also encourage students to include their own musical tastes in genre when choosing their pieces. I believe strongly in the creation of a musician—not just a flute player.