CHRISTINE ERLANDER BEARD
flute & piccolo
UNO Flute Studio
**Now enrolling new students for the 2024-2025 academic year. Please e-mail to inquire!**
UPDATE April 20,2022: Now offering both in person and online lessons without restrictions.
Dr. Beard has been offering and teaching online lessons for over a decade, with remote lessons conducted via numerous platforms including (but not limited to) FaceTime, Zoom, WhatsApp, Skype, and more.*
UNO flute studio members 2023-2024
Welcome to the Flute Studio at the University of Nebraska at Omaha
APPLY TO UNO
The first step in the college process is to apply to the University. Follow this link to start the official application process!
SCHEDULE AN AUDITION
Once you've applied to the university, you can schedule a music audition for acceptance into the School of Music. Follow this link for audition requirements, the scholarship application, and to schedule an on-site audition. (Note: contact Dr. Beard for pre-recorded or Skype audition options - available only to students outside a 200-mile radius of Omaha).
SCHOLARSHIP INFO
The UNO School of Music offers generous scholarships to music majors who have applied to UNO and audition prior to March 1st of each year! Contact Adam Hilt at ahilt@unomaha.edu for more information and to schedule an audition.
CONTACT DR. BEARD
If you've not already done so, contact Dr. Beard to let her know you're interested in studying with her at UNO! Follow the link to send her an email, or you can contact her directly at cbeard@unomaha.edu or call to leave a message at (304) 804-PICC.
UNO FLUTE STUDIO PHOTOS
Welcome to the UNO Flute Studio Page! For flutists, the University of Nebraska at Omaha has much to offer, regardless of whether or not you decide to pursue music as your major field of study. UNO offers a variety of instrumental ensemble opportunities for our students, including the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Heartland Philharmonic Orchestra, University Band, Marching Mavericks, Contemporary Music Ensemble, Flute Choir, and a variety of Chamber Ensembles. Ensemble scholarships for both majors and non-majors are available. Unlike many larger universities, undergraduate students at UNO are able to enjoy the valuable experience of playing in the school's top ensembles while still offering challenging musical experiences for our graduate students.
In the flute studio at UNO, the primary focus is mastery of flute tone and technique, as well as developing skills of musicianship, entrepreneurship and professionalism. Other areas of emphasis include piccolo studies, contemporary techniques, and orchestral excerpts. Flute lessons focus not only on technical issues, but also on expanding knowledge of the standard repertoire, improving sight- reading and performance skills, musical interpretation, and the ability to apply these skills towards teaching others. Dr. Beard also encourages her students pursue unique niches, whether your interests include antique flutes, world flutes, or any other area of flute-related study. At UNO, you will not only receive an exceptional education with individual attention, but you will also have the added benefit of the exciting musical and cultural advantages of metropolitan Omaha.
Flutists at UNO find themselves in a challenging, vibrant, rewarding and friendly environment. Members of the flute studio have received many honors, including being selected to perform in the NFA Collegiate Flute Choir and NFA Piccolo Masterclass Competitions; being accepted to present/perform at international flute festivals such as the Canadian Flute Convention and the World Flutes Festival in Argentina; and winning the UNO Concerto-Aria Competition a total of 11 times since 2005 (2005, 2008-2011, 2013-2016, 2021, and 2023). Recent graduates have won orchestral positions, teaching jobs, flute repair jobs, and/or been accepted to graduate schools where they have been awarded scholarships and assistantships.
UPCOMING FLUTE EVENTS
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 Gallery 1516 RecitalSophomore flutist Morgan Thompson performing Poem by Charles T. Griffes at UNO's recital series at Gallery 1516 |  Christopher Lee Masterclass 2022Masterclass with guest artist Christopher Lee during the 2022 UNO Flute Festival |
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 Gallery 1516Junior Lily Gimse performing Hypnosis by Ian Clarke at UNO's recital series at Gallery 1516 |  Christopher coaches LydiaChristopher Lee coaches UNO senior flute and music education major Lydia Kirkland on the Godard Suite (Sept 2022) |
 Paige at WFF 2022UNO senior flute performance major Paige Michaud yelling "Yow!" during Ian Clarke's Zoom Tube at the World Flutes Festival in Argentina (Sept 2022) |  IMG_4763 |
 UNO flute studio 21-22 |  Sergio Pallottelli masterclass Oct 21 |
 Baroque Ensemble concert Oct 21 |  UNO Woodwind Quartet KVNO gig Oct21 |
 Ghost Dancers Sp21UNO flutes in the MBSC ballroom for our recording of "Ghost Dancers" by James Barnes. 04.13.21 |  UNO Flutes Chicago Bean 2019 |
 UNO flutes Chicago concetUNO flutes performing at the 2019 Chicago Flute Festival (November 2019) |  UNO concerto comp 20195 UNO flute students competed in the 2019 UNO Concerto-Aria Competition |
 UNO flutes in Chicago 2019The UNO flute studio road trip to the Chicago flute festival (November 2019) - Chicago pizza! |  UNO Flutes in Chicago 2019UNO flutes grab a quick lunch at the Water Tower mall before the final festival recital |
 UNO HCFC members 2019UNO students with Dr. Beard after the HCFC spring concert April 2019 |  Heartland Flute ChoirHCFC's annual holiday concert at the Holy Family Shrine (12.18.18) |
 UNO flute students 2018UNO flute students participated in Nebraska's 1st state-wide Flute Choir Festival in Lincoln, NE which drew 60 participants!(09.08.18) |  Nebraska Flute Choir Festival 2018Dr. Beard, Heartland Flute Choir, and UNO flute students participated in Nebraska's 1st state-wide flute choir festival held in Lincoln, which drew 60 participants! (09.08.18) |
 Toronto LatinAmerican Flute FestivalDr. Beard invited her MM student Erica to join her in a recital during the 2017 Toronto Latin American Flute Festival |  UNO flutes in Buenos AiresSide trip to Buenos Aires after the World Flute Festival in Mendoza, Argentina (Sept. 2016) |
 World Flutes Festival 2016UNO students performing at the XIII Festival Flautas del Mundo in Mendoza, Argentina (Sept. 2016) |  Bethany works with Ian ClarkeUNO flute major Bethany McAcy receives pointers from the iconic British flutist-composer Ian Clarke at the Texas Flute Festival |
 Amy Porter masterclassGuest artist Amy Porter working with MM flute student Sara Schuhardt in a flute masterclass at UNO |  Concerto winner 2015UNO flute major Carlyn Hendler, Concerto-Aria Competition winner, performing Lowell Liebermann's Piccolo Concerto with HPO (2016) |
 NFA Piccolo Competition WinnerUNO MM flute student Krystle Jones won the opportunity to perform for world-renowned piccolo virtuoso Jean-Louis Beaumadier at the NFA Convention |  SubcontraUNO flute student Jack Lambie was one of the 1st to try out the HCFC's new subcontrabass flute (2014) |
 Liebermann masterclassUNO flute students take notes during the masterclass with Lowell Liebermann in Sioux City, UA (2014) |  Masterclass with Horacio MassoneStephanie Booth (BM-Education 2016) receives instruction from guest artist Horacio Massone of Argentina (2014) |
 Guest artist Christopher LeePost recital with UNO flute students, Dr. Beard and guest artist Christopher Lee of Canada (2015) |  Leanna's rockin' performanceLeanna Keith (BM-performance) rocking' it out in a performance of Robert Dick's "Fish Are Jumping" during the 2014 Honors Recital |
 Andean flute clinic w/Pablo SalcedoUNO flute students after a unique and informative Andean flute workshop with guest artist Pablo Salceo from Mendoza, Argentina |  Masterclass with Maria HardingDeanna Estrada (BM-Education 2014) works with Maria Harding, principal flute of the Omaha Symphony |
 Flutes at the Hauntcert 2014Dr. Beard with members of the HPO flute section at the annual Hauntcert (2014) |  Jim Walker masterclassUNO flute major Anna Hall performed for legendary film and orchestral flutist Jim Walker at the MidSouth Flute Society Festival in Alabama |
Twice a month this spring, a member of the UNO flute studio will perform music inspired by art in the current collection for lectures at the Samuel Bak Museum. The events are FREE but RSVPs are required. Click on the photo for complete information and a schedule.
Fri, March 30 from 12-1pm
Guest artist Sergio Pallottelli (Vivaldi Conservatory, Italy) will teach a flute masterclass at UNO in SPAC 166
Fri, April 5 at 7:30pm: XY Duo & Friends
UNO Professors Christine Beard, flute & Hannah Weaver, percussion are joined by UNO's Jeremy Baguyos, double bass; Megan Lanz (CSU); and percussionist Spencer (KS) in a concert of new music by Rob Honstein and the Midwest premiere of Juri Seo's "Birds, Bees, Electric Fish"
UNO FLUTE NEWS
GUEST ARTISTS at UNO
Erica Wilkins wins FFA Nancy Clew Eller Artist Competition
Congrats to Erica Wilkins (BA music studies major) who was names the 1st prize winner of the 23-24 Florida Flute Association's Nancy Clew Eller Artist Competition! She program included he required work by Ph. Gaubert, in addition to her choices of music by V. Coleman and C. Caliendo.
Sofia Cormack selected for IAWM internship position
Sofia Cormack has been selected for an internship during the spring 2024 semester with the International Alliance for Women in Music, a paid position for which she will learn valuable marketing and non-profit management skills. Visit iawm.org for more info.
INCANDESCENT selected to perform/present at the 52nd NFA Convention
Incandescent (flutist Claire James & percussionist Dana LeVan) have been selected to present a lecture-recital on their "Friends of the Lakota Music Project" at the 2024 National Flute Association Convention, to be held in San Antonio, TX in August. Read the feature article from The Flutist Quarterly HERE.
Claire James selected for BEMIS internship & Outstanding Grad Student
Masters flute major Claire James has been selected for an internship at the BEMIS Center this spring, for which she will be working with one of their sound installation artists-in-residence. Claire was also named by the UNO School of Music Faculty as the recipient of the Outstanding Graduate Student Award for 2023-2024.
Paige Michaud headed to CU-Boulder to pursue MM
2023 flute studio alum Paige Michaud has been awarded a generous graduate scholarship to attend the University of Colorado (Boulder) where she will pursue an MM in flute performance studying with Christina Jennings starting in the Fall 2024 term. CONGRATS!
UNO Flute Students to Perform at Scheherazade Music Festival in June 2024
Sofia Cormack and Erica Wilkins have been selected to perform at the 2024 Scheherazade Music Festival in Manhattan, KS this summer, where they will perform Herman Beeftink's trio "Birds" for piccolo, flute and alto flute (joined by their teacher, Christine Beard).
Masterclass with Demarre McGill at UNO (Fall 2023)
RENOWNED GUEST ARTISTS VISIT UNO
Flutists from around the world travel to Omaha to perform for & work with students at UNO each year. Opportunities to work with national and internationally acclaimed artists on the UNO campus are also: since 2003, guest artists/clinicians to UNO and Omaha have included Carol Wincenc (Julliard), Paul Edmond Davies (London Symphony, retired), The Imani Winds, Christopher Lee (Canada), Peter Sheridan (Australia), Sergio Pallottelli (Italy/TX), Horacio Massone (Argentina), Regina Helcher (Charleston Symphony), Pablo Salcedo (UN-Cuyo, Argentina), Connor Nelson (BGSU), Megan Lanz (Colorado State Univ), Rik Noyse (California State Univ-Dominguez Hills), Alheli Pimienta (Mexico/Canada), James Hall (Univ Northern Colorado), Elizabeth Crone (Virginia Tech Univ), Tamara Evans Yonce (Univ South Dakota), Maria Harding (Omaha Symphony), In Sterio flute duo (Erica Peel and Shivhan Dohse), Duo Pelliroja flute duo (Leslie Marrs, Drake Univ and Nancy Schneeloch-Bingham, Appalachian State Univ), Caen Thomason-Redus (Univ Milwaukee), Leonard Garrison (Univ Idaho), Amy Porter (Univ Michigan); Sonja Giles (Iowa State Univ), John Bailey (UNL), Thomas Robertello (Indiana Univ), Nicole Esposito (Univ Iowa), Joe Bonner (Arkansas State Univ), Brooks DeWetter-Smith (UNC Chapel Hill), Karl F. Kraber (UT/Austin), Tadeu Coelho (NC School of the Arts); Andreé Martin (Columbus State Univ), Kyle Dzappo (Bradley Univ), Hannah Lang, Daniel Carlo (Burkart Flutes), and Liz Virgili (Sankyo Flute Co.).
Guest artists in 2023-2024 will include Demarre McGill (Seattle Symphony), Colleen White (KSU), Greg Pattillo (Project Trio), Nicole Riner (Univ Wyoming), Sergio Pallottelli (Vivaldi Conservatory), and Tereasa Payne (Lion King Broadway Tour).
Improv clinic with Greg Pattillo at UNO (Fall 2023)
CONGRATS UNO FLUTE CLASS OF 2024
CLOCKWISE from TOP L: Sofia Cormack (MM flute performance); Claire James (MM flute performance); Erica Wilkins (BA flute performance); & Lily Gimse (BM flute performance)
PRIVATE FLUTE LESSONS WITH DR. BEARD
**Now enrolling new students for the 2024-2025 academic year. Only 3 spots remain open as of May. 15, 2024. E-mail to inquire!**
UPDATE April 20,2022: Now offering both in person and online lessons without restrictions.
Dr. Beard has been offering and teaching online lessons for over a decade, with remote lessons conducted via numerous platforms including (but not limited to) FaceTime, Zoom, WhatsApp, Skype, and more.*
Flute Students Selected to 2023 Nebraska All-State Band & Orchestra
October 2023
Congrats to the following HS flute students who were selected to the NMEA All-State ensembles in 2023: Grace D. (PLVSHS), Jack G. (PLVSHS), and Luke Z. (Gretna South HS), Exequiel V. (Millard North), and Rongyue H. (alternate). CONGRATS!!!
Two flute students selected to serve as drum majors
July 2023
Congratulations to senior flutists Luke Z. (Elkhorn South HS) and Grace D. (Papillion-LaVista South HS) who were selected as Drum MaJors for their high school marching bands this season. Way to go!
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Not in college? That's OK! Dr. Beard teaches private lessons to high school students, pre-high school students, adult professional and amateur players Due to her active performance schedule and teaching obligations at UNO however, space is very limited and there is typically a waiting list. Due to her detailed teaching style, pre-high school students must set up a face-to-face interview with Dr. Beard prior to being accepted into her private studio; high school students and adults are automatically accepted on a first come, first served basis as space permits.
Highly sought after as a teacher, performer and clinician throughout the United States and abroad, Dr. Beard has over 30 years experience teaching flute and piccolo, including both private and collegiate instruction, as well as in masterclasses and clinics. To study with Dr. Beard means that you will be working with an internationally respected performer and teacher who has connections in the music industry worldwide. Not only do her students receive excellent flute instruction and coaching, but they also get to take advantage of the numerous guest artist events afforded to them through her work at UNO.
BENEFIT OF LESSONS
Why should a student study privately? In most cases, students learn to play their instruments in a large, mixed ensemble classroom experience. This makes individualized attention very difficult and attention to detail often inadvertently falls through the cracks. Additionally, often the ensemble director may not be a specialist on flute. Again, though unintentional, bad habits can form as a result of not knowing or not completely understanding the pedagogical issues related to flute. Tone production on the flute is unlike any other wind instrument and thus needs a deeper understanding of the instrument to develop a beautiful sound and vibrato, and to ensure proper breathing is learned and posture is monitored to prevent physical discomfort. Furthermore, private instruction allows for specific flute materials to be studied and mastered which help players to improve more quickly, resulting in advancement in their chair placement, All-State auditions, higher rating in solo competitions, and - for the most serious players - acceptance into collegiate programs as a music major. Dr. Beard's pedagogy is heavily based in the French Paris Conservatory tradition with a modern American flare: there is a heavy focus on the fundamentals, but she is also very passionate about new music and on training the entire musician and therefore, customizes her curriculum to fit every student's individual needs, goals and interests.
LESSON FEES & PAYMENT
Tuition rates are $50 per hour for weekly lessons. Compared to many other professionals in the metro area, this is relatively low - due in part to the fact that Dr. Beard wants to keep her costs as manageable as possible because she really loves teaching and wants to make her studio accessible to all passionate and hard-working students regardless of financial situation. Despite this, she realizes that even this reduced amount may not be possible for all families. Therefore, one scholarship is available for 1 student based on financial need (please contact Dr. Beard directly to inquire about this option). Payment for lessons is accepted on a weekly or monthly basis by check, cash, or PayPal/Venmo.
LESSON LOCATION & TIMES
Lessons take place either in her studio on the UNO campus, or at Dr. Beard's house (located in Council Bluffs, IA).