Amy Lenk is the newest member of our flute faculty! She joined the Academy as a Teaching Artist last summer and is new to the area. Faculty Coordinator Claire Allen sat down with Amy to learn more about her music and her teaching!

 

CAllen: What excites you the most about joining the music faculty at the Academy?

ALenk: I’m excited to meet new students and to be part of a thriving arts community!

 

CAllen: How did you first fall in love with music?

ALenk: My family is very musical. I grew up with piano, harp, violin, clarinet, cello, singing and flute in the house. So my love of music began through the musical nurture my parents and older sister fostered. Playing in youth symphony in high school is what really caused me to fall in love with music. Playing in an orchestra makes you feel as though you have a part in something much bigger than yourself and it’s a powerful experience!

 

CAllen: Tell us about a teaching experience you had that was especially memorable.

ALenk: Most memorable for me is hearing my students perform in recitals. I always feel like I could burst with pride!

 

 

CAllen: What are some unique things you do when you teach?

ALenk: I like to inspire curiosity in students. I show by example and ask lots of questions to get them listening and thinking about how to improve whatever aspect of flute playing we are working on. This engages the student and encourages them to take ownership of their development more than if I were to spoon-feed them all the answers. I also use a lot of food metaphors, because I love food! [laughs]

 

CAllen: Do you have any pets? If so, tell us about them. If not, tell us the type of pet you would like to have.

ALenk: I don’t have any pets now, but I love dogs! #Teamdog

 

CAllen: What else would you like our community to know about you?

ALenk: Just that I love playing the flute and it’s hard to imagine anything more fulfilling than seeing that love grow in my students!

 

SEE AMY LENK’S BIO

 

LEARN MORE ABOUT PRIVATE LESSONS

 

Ms. Hyunji Lee is one of our Violin Teaching Artists! She has been on faculty for over two years and is building a thriving private studio with us. Additionally, she is a member of the Faculty String Quartet and has performed in faculty chamber recitals and the Spotlight on the Arts showcase concert. Faculty Coordinator and fellow violin faculty Claire Allen sat down with her to learn more about her and her teaching!

 

CAllen: What is your favorite part about teaching for the Academy?

HLee: Sharing my music and experience with the Academy Community. I sincerely enjoy working with all of my students at the Academy.

 

CAllen: How did you first fall in love with music?

HLee: When I first heard David Oistrakh playing Beethoven’s Spring Sonata when I was a kid!

 

 

 

 

CAllen: Tell me about a favorite teaching experience.

HLee: When a student walks in the door with a twinkle in their eye ready to show me what they have accomplished over the week. Seeing and hearing a student make progress is one of the most memorable experiences I have had.

 

CAllen: What are some unique things you do when you teach?

HLee: I enjoy giving listening and research assignments to students to help develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of music!

 

CAllen: Do you have any pets?

HLee: I have a 10 year orange tabby from Montreal, Canada. I adopted him when he was just two months old! When he was a kitten he climbed up a book case and jumped onto the hanging lamp in the middle of the room. [laughs] The lamp fell to the floor and he rode on top!  #TeamCat

 

 

 

 

CAllen: What else would you like our community to know about you?

HLee: I truly enjoy teaching and love all of my students at the Academy. At home, I have a three month old son who enjoys hearing the violin!

 

SEE HYUNJI’S BIO

 

LEARN MORE ABOUT PRIVATE LESSONS