The University of Arizona Flute Performance program includes students from across the world engaged in undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degree programs. The one-of-a-kind flute studies program incorporates kinetic flute performance training alongside scientific research of kinesiological efficiency, neurological impact, and overall musician health. The individual private lessons, studio master class, small group technique classes, recording sessions, flute pedagogy class, guest artist master residencies, professional development workshops, and the Flutefinity ensemble are all part of the University of Arizona innovative CUREs (Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience) and VIP (Vertically Integrated Projects) curriculum. This facilitates undergraduate through graduate flute protégée's passion for performance realized in scientific understanding of music's overall physical and mental impact on humans.

Students perform solo, chamber, concerto, orchestral, and wind ensemble repertoire for live performances, competitions, and recordings. In addition, all University of Arizona students may perform as members of Flutefinity, the chamber music program focused on performing and recording large and small chamber works. All flutists in the program are encouraged to seek national and international recognition through young artist competitions, festival/master class performances, research and scholarly publications.

Method

Students engaged in flute performance studies:

• focus on performance objectives in a longitudinal manner.
• develop kinesiological habits that ensure success.
• condense music theory, history, and physiology into a simplified interpretative paradigm.
• train the body’s physical performance mechanisms to reinforce the joy of performing.

Teacher

Brian Luce is an award-winning performer and teacher with experience as a chamber musician, orchestral principal, freelance performer, recording artist, recording engineer, and competitor. This experience, coupled with over 40 years of teaching in the private studio and classroom at universities, high schools, junior high schools, and fine arts festivals, has led to the development of a curriculum that focuses on students’ product creation. All students in every major are able to:

• create a professional recording portfolio suitable for commercial release in the state-of-the-art Haskell Recording Studio.
• research the critical aspects of flute performance and its impact on audiences and performers alike.
• create a series of teaching and mentoring materials to specific clientele.
• learn to function as a producer and arranger in the creation of recordings in the commercial and classical recording studio.
• develop professional marketing materials including a web presence.
• teach younger students using the apprenticeship model.
• exploit market gaps in order to secure future employment.