Karen Kevra 43 Bourdeau Rd, Middlebury, VT, Main Street, Montpelier, VT, cornwall VT, 05753
Instruments:Flute, Piccolo
Styles:Classical
Levels:Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Experience:30 years
Rate:$0 / hr
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Personal Statement
Grammy-nominated flutist Karen Kevra has performed as a soloist in many of the nations leading concert halls, from Carnegie Hall to the Washington D.C. Embassy Concert Series. Her award winning students regularly occupy top seats in All-State, All New England, All-Eastern
and regional orchestras. Several have performed on NPRs From the Top and have pursued study at leading music schools and conservatories. Known for her engaging and inspiring teaching style, she gives her students musical insights and knowledge that will add to their enjoyment of music throughout their lives.
“Playing an instrument is wonderfully complicated. We are required to synchronize all of the aspects of our playing including breathing, blowing and manipulating the embouchure, moving our fingers, articulating, adjusting our intonation, phrasing, and listening to others, while trying to convey a musical emotion. Talk about multitasking! My approach is to break down the playing into these various categories and isolate each aspect into its purest form. I provide every student with a personal practice journal with separate categories including tone, finger technique, articulation, control and flexibility, etudes, repertoire. It becomes an effective “to do” list for practice. We start simply and over time the demands become more complex. For example, we begin articulation with simple legato and staccato tonguing, then gradually add varied articulations, and finally more advanced techniques including double, triple and flutter tonguing. But we also return and review the basics. I believe that review is what builds technique and confidence.”
To learn more about Karen Kevra’s background, her teaching, and to hear performances go to www.karenkevra.com.
Education / Training
I teach in Montpelier, Middlebury, and Burlington, Vermont. My high school studies were with Judith Peckmore of Lincroft, New Jersey, who was clear and direct and grounded me in strong fundamentals. Later I studied with the late New York City flutist Eleanor Lawrence, and Philip Dunigan, who was my flute teacher at the North Carolina School of the Arts.
The teacher with whom I had the longest and closet connection was Marlboro Music Festival co-founder Louis Moyse with whom I studied for over a decade. Louis died in 2007 but there is not a day that goes by without thinking of him. I hear his voice, remember his gestures vividly, and still feel his presence whenever I play.
In recent years I have studied with John Heiss at the New England Conservatory, who is terrifically smart, and brings the composers perspective first and foremost to the music. I have learned a great deal about orchestral repertoire, and preparation of orchestral excerpts from Jeanne Baxtresser, former principal flute of the New York Philharmonic.
Video
Karen Kevra performs mmt. 1 of Quantz G major Concerto with A Far Cry
Reinecke Flute Sonata mmt. 1 performed by Karen Kevra and Jeffrey Chappell