Latest News

6.28.09 - BTMC 2009

Jim Walker's 2nd annual Beyond the Masterclass Flute Week 2009 concluded this week and was a huge success. Jim extends his heartfelt thanks and congratulations to all the participants for their hard work, great flute playing, and most of all for making the week so enjoyable for everyone. Also a big thank you to Elizabeth Rowe, Sarah Jackson, Heather Clark, Greg Milliren, Richard Beene, Steve Kujala, David Shorey, Cynthia Kelley, Yamaha Flutes, Burkart Flutes, Johanna Borenstein, Alex Wallin, Diana Morgan, and the Colburn School for their varied and valuable contributions. Jim is already looking forward to the 3rd annual BTMC in June 2010!

6.3.09 - Recent Student News

A big round of congratulations are in order for Greg Milliren, who just won Associate Principal Flute with the Minnesota Orchestra! Greg was Jim's student at USC, and has been his assistant and webmaster for the last two years, in addition to his freelance career in LA.

Also, Tim Hagen recently was appointed Principal Flute with the Missouri Symphony, a popular summer orchestra in Columbia, Missouri! Tim studied with Jim at USC and Colburn and is also an active freelance player in LA. Congrats to Tim!

4.27.09 - Congratulations!

A big round of congratulations are in order for Martha Long and Johanna Borenstein! Martha just won First Prize at the Pittsburgh Flute Club Young Artist Competition, and Johanna won First Place at the San Diego Flute Club Young Artist Competition. Martha is a student of Jim's at the Colburn School, and Johanna graduated from Colburn last year. Congrats to both!

4.1.09 - Beyond the Masterclass 2009

Application Deadline for Performers has passed.

2008 BTMC Performers

Jim Walker is once again holding his week-long annual masterclass at the Colburn School in Los Angeles, scheduled for June 21 - 28, 2009. Last year's class was a huge success, and Jim is looking forward to another great week in 2009. This year he welcomes guests Elizabeth Rowe, Sarah Jackson, and Heather Clark, all of whom will be joining him at various points during the week.

Details regarding the daily schedule and other important information are available at the masterclass website.

www.jimwalkerflute.com/beyond

Jim is looking forward to seeing you at the Colburn School in June!

Recent Events: Adam Kuenzel Masterclass at the Colburn School and USC

Minnesota Orchestra Principal Flutist hosted by Jim Walker and the Colburn School / Conservatory

On April 6th, Minnesota Orchestra Principal Flutist Adam Kuenzel gave a public 2-hour masterclass at the Colburn School Conservatory. The performers were Jim Walker's flute studio at the Colburn School. He gave a similar class the University of Southern California campus on April 7th, with members of the USC flute studio performing. A superb classical performer, Adam addressed topics concerning musical line, breath support, opening up the sound, and vibrato, all while demonstrating with his usual finesse and clarion sound.

Read Adam's bio online at: http://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/music/artist_detail.cfm?id_artist=43973469

Recent Events: Chris Norman Masterclass at the Colburn School

Irish Flutist Extraordinaire hosted by Jim Walker and the Colburn School / Conservatory

Irish and traditional wooden flute player extraordinaire Chris Norman gave a 2-hour public masterclass on March 9 in Thayer Hall at the Colburn School / Conservatory of Music. He elaborated on his ideas about phrasing and musicality as well as teaching everyone the details of irish ornamentation and dance music. His message was a welcome reminder that effective communication with the audience is the most important aspect of our playing. And, everyone in attendance got to hear some of his spectacular playing too.

For those of you not familiar with Chris, you can read about him at his website: http://www.chrisnorman.com/bios_chris.html

Recent Events: Sarah Jackson Masterclass at The Colburn School

Sarah Jackson, Gina Luciani, Emily Tuan, Martha Long,
Frankie Camuglia, Leah Arsenault, Jim Walker

This fall the flute studio at the Colburn School Conservatory was treated to a piccolo masterclass, courtesy of Sarah Jackson of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, who has garnered much praise for the extremely high level of her playing and teaching.

All the students took turns playing for her and she coached them on how to find new depth and and focus in their piccolo sounds. She also answered their questions about the many specifics of how playing the piccolo is different from playing flute.

This Summer, Sarah will give a similar masterclass during Jim's Beyond the Masterclass Flute Week.