Why Study Flute With Me?

Over a five year period my development was substantial…Ela genuinely cares about her students.
"I liked that Ela always challenged me to be a better flutist. I would often arrive to our lessons with a mindset that I couldn't play a certain piece. However, Ela always told me that I WOULD do it and that challenged me and definitely made me a better flutist. It is one of the things I appreciate the most about her teaching. Over a five year period my development was substantial: when I started in 6th grade I knew two notes and now recently I have played Andante et Scherzo by Louis Ganne and Fantasy by Gabriel Faure. When I started lessons, I hated sight reading. Over time Ela, somehow, actually taught me to love sight reading! I highly recommend Ela! She genuinely cares a lot about her students and their progress. Ela is an excellent and compassionate teacher."
Isabella Miettinen-Garrett
Current Student
Arlington, MA
I specialize in teaching children grades 3–6, ages 8–12.
While I have been teaching flute for all ages and levels since 1999, a few years back, I decided to shift my focus and specialize in teaching children in grades 3–6, ages 8–12. Unlike teenagers, adults, and very young children, during middle childhood, your child most likely also needs:
- To be introduced to music in a positive way, where they can find and unveil their musical talent
- A focus on fundamentals taught in an encouraging and fun way
- To develop personal skills using music as a vehicle. This includes learning about responsibility,
commitment, discipline, focus, time management, patience, learning to express themselves.
In addition to developing my musical performance and pedagogy techniques for middle aged children, I am continuously researching the mental and social development milestones that organizations like the CDC recommends for middle childhood. By aligning my flute teaching with these milestones, I can help prepare your child for adolescence, boost their confidence, teach them to set and reach achievable goals, and develop patience.
Encouraging Parent-Student Collaboration to Maximize Learning
My teaching system involves parents in the child’s learning process, to maximize their musical and personal development. Part of this system includes::
- Listening to flute music together or separately and have a discussion about what was cool about this piece.
- Memorizing notes and fingerings by testing your child using flashcards
- Doing breathing exercises together before each practice session
- Using the detailed practice instructions I provide each week to help the child see demonstrable progress
I have a Doctorate in Music from Boston University
I graduated with the highest degree in music, a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Flute Performance from Boston University. In addition to teaching 30 students per semester, I regularly give solo concerts and perform in chamber ensembles and symphony orchestras. I believe it is important that children ages 8-12 study with a performing artist because it gives students inspiration, motivates them to work harder at the flute, and helps them to set goals for how good they want to be at the flute. Read my bio below.
Studying with Me is Risk Free (Money-Back Guarantee)
I may be the only flute teacher in Boston that offers a 100% money-back guarantee, which you can read about on any of my Lesson Packages. I believe that the student and teacher must have mutual understanding about expectations and goals for each lesson, and parents are sometimes concerned about this fit. I do not take every student that comes to my studio, as this fit is critical, and I want the families that approach me for lessons to realize they can try my studio out risk-free.
About Dr. Elzbieta (Ela) Brandys-O'Neill
Dr. Elzbieta Brandys-O'Neill is of European descent with formal musical training from Europe and the United States. Dr. Brandys-O'Neill received her Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the Boston University, College of Fine Arts. She holds a Master of Music and Graduate Performance Diploma degrees in Flute Performance from The Boston Conservatory, Boston, MA as well as a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance from Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX. Dr. Brandys-O'Neill has been teaching since 1999, students of all levels in both private and group settings. Dr. Brandys-O'Neill is attuned to the individual needs and desires of the students. Her passion as a teacher is to work with flute students, increase their motivation, confidence, and help each reach his or her full potential and talent to the highest level.
Dr. Elzbieta Brandys-O'Neill is described as a flutist, musician, and artist "who is able to uniquely meld elegant tone, artistic sensibility and a solid mastery of technique" - Andrew List, composer at Berklee School of Music. She gives recitals internationally, and performs with the Boston Lyric Opera, Boston Landmarks Orchestra, South Florida Symphony Orchestra, Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra of Indian Hill, Claflin Hill Symphony, Cape Ann Symphony, Marsh Chapel Collegium, and the Cantata Singers. Performance venues include Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall and Town Hall, the Kennedy Center, Boston's Symphony Hall, The Wang Theatre, and Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas. Dr. Brandys-Neill has won first prize in Chamber Music Foundation's International Ensemble Competition, among others. For more information about Elzbieta and her upcoming performances please visit elzbietabrandys.com.