gigiflute

Welcome Students!

Great Lakes Suzuki Institute will be offering a summer Flute Retreat in Cambridge, Ontario from July 7-11, 2026. Please register by April 30 to confirm your participation; registrations will be accepted after this date provided our space can accommodate additional participants. Please email kewiflute@me.com to inquire.

Activities will take place in the afternoons. Full participants will receive a daily shared master class, group class, and ensemble or reading class. A limited number of private lessons are available as an add-on, in lieu of the shared master class. Students are invited to participate in an informal solo recital during the week, play in the community group performance, and attend the faculty concert.

This year’s faculty will be:

Nicola Shorland-Hopkins, Malvern ENG
Nancy Hennen, Brandon MB
Kelly Williamson, Cambridge ON

Fees: $250 including the $50 registration fee (non-refundable)

Private lessons: two 30-minute private lessons are included in the fee in lieu of the daily shared master class. Additional private lessons can be requested for a fee of $30 per 30-minute lesson

Student Registration Form is available HERE

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • How should we prepare for the institute?

Students should review all of the repertoire leading up to their current piece. These pieces will be worked on in the group class.

Bring a polished piece to work on in master class. You should have all of the notes and rhythms down and the piece should be memorized. This will allow the master class teacher to work with you on musicality and refining execution, rather than on learning the basics of the piece.

Also bring another piece, highly polished (preferably one you have previously performed) to play in the informal recital.

  • What are master classes?

In master classes, students share the hour with one or two other students (possibly three in the case of younger students). Each student works with the master class teacher on their chosen piece, and all of the students observe each others’ lessons and have the chance to learn through observation as well as through their own lesson.

  • Can we bring a piece that is not in the Suzuki repertoire?

Yes, of course! In the case of advanced or lesser-known pieces, it is better to give the master class teacher a heads-up so that they can also look at the piece before the institute. (Note from a master class teacher: I once learned a whole new sonata because I had to teach it in an upcoming workshop. What a great opportunity!)

  • What if my piece is not memorized?

Do your best - you want to know the piece thoroughly to get the most out of the class. Usually a memorized piece best fits that bill. If memorization is uncomfortable for you, please feel free to bring your music and use it in class and in the group class.

  •  Where can we stay?

Please check hotels and AirBNBs for accommodations.