Introduction
from Rhonda
Our first
annual 2007 Italy Masterclass could not have been more fun and meaningful!
There was a wonderful mix of people ages 13 to 65 from
Deborah Gross, our wonderful pianist, counted 300 steps from the bottom to the very top of Casperia, this 'birthday cake' layered town with medieval street upon street. We were grateful we were only carrying flutes, and not tubas!
Our morning warm-up took place in an ancient horse stable with a high, vaulted ceiling, creating an acoustically live, inspiring studio. Two massive windows opened out onto the lush valley of the Casperia countryside, where one’s notes flew out over the hills while playing. Just unlocking the doors to this stable held an ancient enchantment to it, with skeleton keys larger than any I have ever seen in my life. After this warm-up, we all walked to the top of the town where the theater was located, and began the daily masterclass sessions.
Rather than my going on and on about the time we all spent together, here are some of the flutists words to tell you, themselves!
-----------------------------
Karen
from Montana
The flutists in the class were a wonderfully diverse group
of people, which made it possible for all of us to learn so much from each
other. The one thing the flutists had in common was a positive attitude of
doing one's best and not criticizing the others. It created a positive, warm,
supportive learning environment. I give credit for this to Rhonda, who chose
her performers based on a statement of purpose rather than by audition CDs.
This approach also provided more of the diversity which one usually doesn't
find in a masterclass. We were able to have players who were advanced professionals,
and others who were, as musicians, "works in progress." I felt everyone
was openly and honestly supportive of everyone else…
Another wonderful aspect of this class was that, as an auditor, I felt a real part of the class. All of the flute-playing auditors were invited to the morning warm-up sessions, the opening and closing dinners, the mid-week trip to Rome, and we even played in the evening concert in the group entry piece and chamber music…
Rhonda is excellent at diagnosing a "flute problem," which is something that is to be expected from a masterclass teacher. Her unique and wonderful quality is in her approach to each student and that student's problems… Rhonda also teaches respect for the audience. Look at the audience; don't hide behind the stand. Acknowledge their presence with a grateful bow. Play music they will enjoy. Dress up so the visual is also pleasant. Make the music you are giving to the audience of prime importance, even if that means breaking a slur for a breath or leaving out something…
As an observer, I saw the players improve over the course of the week and some of them really blossomed! The final concert was a wonderful place to view increased confidence and to hear flute playing which had become more beautiful, more expressive…
Robynn from Michigan
…I must tell you that I am having a hard time putting the masterclass experience
into words. It was an incredibly enriching experience that I feel very fortunate
and blessed to have experienced. I continue to have "flashbacks"
throughout the day about being there in Italy, and I can't help but say "thanks"
to God for allowing me to go! …At Rhonda's concert, and each time I listen
to one of the tracks from her CDs, I just shake my head and remark how amazing
she truly is. I feel that once in awhile, you come across people who are truly
"anointed" to do a certain job in life: Rhonda is definitely one!
…I really feel that I've learned alot from attending the masterclass. As a
matter of fact, bits of information keep popping into my head while I'm practicing,
so this is a great thing!! …My attending the masterclass has really provided
encouragement to practice more and also more efficiently. I also enjoyed the
time spent seeing the sights of Italy (the trip to Rome was awesome!!!) …All
I can say now is thanks, Rhonda, for sharing your knowledge and musicality
with all of us!!
Nastassja from
Arkansas
When I saw that Rhonda was having a masterclass in Italy I immediately wanted
to go. I had seen her perform before and I could feel her joy and freedom---it
was something that I longed for and missed in my playing. I knew that going
would change the way that I performed but I did not know that it would change
my whole outlook on life and the way I treat myself.
The first time that I performed in the masterclass, I realized that the way that I presented myself was almost like I was apologizing in advance for any mistakes that I might make or like I wanted to say to the audience, "trust me, I don't think that I am a great flutist so please don't judge me or think that I am haughty".
…During the masterclass Rhonda told me that it sounded like I had given up during the middle of my performance, and asked me what I was thinking. I told her that I was thinking I sounded horrible, and she said she could tell because my whole performance changed at that moment. One thing she told me was that I would not talk to a young student the way I talk to myself. I responded with tears because there would be no way I would talk to a student of any age the way I talked to myself. This completely changed my relationship with myself, instead of thinking my job was to find everything that could possibly be wrong and beat up on myself about it, now I realize it is to encourage myself to do the work that needs to be done. She said, "You do the work and you don't beat up on yourself".
The people I met were
incredibly supportive during this experience. I think the atmosphere of the
masterclass made it easy to be a community where there was encouragement instead
of
competition. Deborah Gross, the accompanist, reflected the spirit of the masterclass
with her optimism. One of the great things about going to Italy was getting
the opportunity to get to know Rhonda and her husband Lee. They are both extremely
welcoming and made the experience
enjoyable.
After returning home
from the masterclass, I realized how much the experience changed my life.
I have found an inner strength that has allowed me to let my true personality
shine through, and
enjoy performing for others. The things that I learned from the masterclass
are not just flute- related but I use them in everything I do. I now understand
you can be kind to yourself
without coming across as prideful!
The
natural beauty and charm of the town of
Rhonda and her husband Lee seemed to enjoy the experience as much as we all
did, as shown by their providing not just a musical experience, but a cultural
one as well. The masterclass ended on an exhilarating note with a concert
in a beautiful church, packed with residents of Casperia and other nearby
towns.
Being fortunate enough to have this experience, I have grown on a spiritual,
attitude-based level more than anything. The one thing that Rhonda said
which has stuck with me the most was as follows: “When you are at your best
self, that is God in you.”
Choosing this course might have been difficult---after all, there are many brilliant flautists offering residential courses---right up until I saw Rhonda perform, attended her warm up's and met her at the BFS Conference in Manchester. What struck me as remarkable was that her extraordinary talent was coupled with enormous quantities of kindness and fun. She was really inclusive in her approach and seemed genuinely curious about each person’s life journey and how that was reflected in their musicianship. What an intriguing combination to me as I am not your typical masterclass attendee, I have been playing the flute a while (30 yrs +) have never played professionally, and spend most of my time madly trying to find any time to practise between being a mum/wife/cook/groom etc., etc. I have been over the many years on quite a few courses some of which were very good indeed, some of which failed utterly to inspire but none of which could be described as life changing before this one.
The venue,
…We were encouraged to write a private journal every day which has become invaluable to me in recalling exactly what was said and how I and all the others made progress. ..The attendees all brought something unique to this experience, friendships were made and late night chat's mulled over-- not just fluting thoughts but more often than not how life in all it's richness has a part in how we play.
So did
it work? Well, for the first time in
21 years I stood in front of a big audience and played 'In Ireland' by Harty.
It wasn't the most accurate of performances but
as I had the most amazing pianest, Deborah
Gross, who stuck to me like superglue I can honestly say it was a landmark
experience for me. In terms of
lasting effect it isn't just the new approaches to playing/practising
and being a flautist that stand out, but more how my time with Rhonda has
enabled me to reflect on other aspects of my life. She is without doubt an extraordinary flautist,
but to really feel the 'Rhonda' effect you need to spend time with her, be
prepared to retreat to some interesting places in your playing and person,
but boy will you move forward ! Special mention should go to her most charming
and kindly husband Lee who took us all over
I'm not certain that I know where the inspirational teaching will take me but one thing is very clear to me and that is I will be getting my name down again before any of you try to book a place for yourself!
After
thinking over the Italy Masterclass, I realized how much that week with Rhonda
and the other flutists helped me grow both as a musician and as a human being.
It was great how we ten performers came together in the course of the
week, all at different levels in our playing (and lives!) and all with different
goals, but yet with so much to offer each other.
It was a very welcoming feeling, even thought no one knew anyone else. There was a general atmosphere of acceptance
and warmth that radiated from Rhonda and all the other performers. It probably helped that we were all on “vacation”!
During this week I witnessed people grow through Rhonda’s as well as
others’ advice and support. I heard people grow as musicians in mere minutes
what might otherwise take months.
My own experiences were amazing as well. I learned that I have to acquire patience with myself and be willing to put in all the work necessary to get where I want to go. During the course of my life most anything I have ever tried has come so naturally easy to me. I have never learned what it is like to really struggle and then appreciate the outcome of my work. The flute is something that I really have to work at. I have to work at technique and the energy of my playing. I have to force my body to do things that don’t always feel comfortable, but hopefully someday will! I have also learned that I have to have confidence in myself. I have to take myself back to when I was a two-year-old with my bathing suit on, dancing on my great-grandmother’s marble table, because I wanted to be the spotlight, the center of attention. I feel like over the past eight or so years, I’ve lost much of the confidence that I once had when I was younger. This is something that I need to find and apply to my playing. Seeing Rhonda perform was what really made me realize this. I’ve watched/heard flute players, and many other musicians, play concerts before, but it has never been that interesting until watching Rhonda. She completely draws the audience in, because she interacts with them and seems to have so much fun. I hope someday that I can command that much attention from my own audiences!
Jennifer
G. from
I first
read of the legendary flutist, Rhonda Larson, from a book containing 101 inspirational
stories of flutists, which was given to me by my flute professor upon my graduation
from the Merit School of Music in 2004. After
learning about her life, I was intrigued by her free spirit and I was determined
to study with her. In the spring of 2007, Rhonda visited
From
the moment I set foot in the medieval
Jayne
from
My trip
to
On an Artistic level, the week provided a chance to try out
new techniques, reach into myself and be less structured. Most of my fluting has me rooted to the music
stand playing traditional and excellent repertoire, but I have really felt
the need to add other dimensions of creativity, such as improvisation to my
tool bag, and the week in
On a
personal level, while I take my flute playing very seriously, it doesn’t pay
the mortgage so normally there is always the challenge to carve out enough
time at home amongst all of the other priorities.
The week in
Gesine from the
The metaphor of the Casperian steps reminds me that life usually offers us surmountable challenges: mostly shallow steps that allow you a fairly free forward direction within the ups and downs, but also some steep steps that really make you climb or oblige you to watch your step when running down. You can also seemingly get “lost”, but if you don’t panic and keep exploring with an open eye for details, you will soon recognise little signs that lead you back in the right direction. And if you persevere you are rewarded either with a beautiful view at the top or with a refreshing drink and some good company in the restaurant. I think you truly chose the perfect place for your Flute Course!
I will carry on with my Flute Workshop, where there is more scope for improvised thoughts and where I hope to be able to communicate some of your ideas, like blowing with as free a tone as one possibly can, letting all those face muscles go and see what happens, let the breath through and the fear go with it, literally blow your anxieties out the window and feel lightness filling and lifting you instead. This is the feeling that I get when I listen to your CDs, even your sad tunes are floating, refusing to be tied down, free birds indeed.
Please also thank your wonderful husband for just being there. In a strange way he has given me back my belief that strong but gentle and sensitive men do indeed exist.
Apart from all this you said many things during the master classes that had true meaning for me, and I thank you and Lee once more for a wonderful time in uplifting company.
Claire from the United Kingdom
I loved the course and found it very inspiring, it was good that there was only a small group of us so we could all get to know each other on the course...
The bed and breakfast was lovely and the family were really friendly and the whole village was welcoming. In general the location was so beautiful and perfect for me as I decided to come on the course to totally immerse myself in flute playing and think about my own playing, and it was a perfect place to do this.
Deb was really fun to work with and very friendly - she had so much repertoire to learn but was so prepared to put in a lot of time and energy. Everyone on the course was friendly and I enjoyed getting to know players from all over the world...
Jennifer
R. from Chicago
In my playing,
am using the things I learned every day. I remember the first thought I had
after day one was, "You have come to a well of creativity and are here
to drink from your soul". By this I mean that I drew so much from the
creative energy and spirit of both you and Lee, and all the participants.
I was able to tap into my own strengths because of the highly positive and
encouraging environment around me. Thank you for making it such a special
experience, one that I will never forget, and will carry with me as I strive
to attain all my professional and musical goals.
www.rhondalarson.com