Flute Workshops
Experience the joy of learning from diverse perspectives in our Workshops. These live events, available for replay, often feature guest instructors who bring unique insights and techniques. The duration of each workshop varies, providing an ample opportunity to broaden your understanding and inspire your musical journey.
- Ideal for learners who enjoy learning from diverse perspectives in live events.
- Perfect for those who value insights from guest instructors.
- Suited for learners who appreciate varying durations depending on the topic.
Score Your Songs In Nakai Tablature
with Levering Thomas & Jonny Lipford
About This Workshop:
Unleash your creativity by learning how to score songs in Nakai Tablature using two powerful music notation tools, Noteflight and MuseScore. This workshop is perfect for students who wish to compose and write music for their Native American-style flute in a professional and polished way. Whether you’re an experienced composer or new to music scoring, you’ll gain the necessary skills to turn your musical ideas into beautifully notated pieces.
If you’re new to reading Nakai Tabulature, we strongly recommend reviewing the opening chapters of the Horizons+ course, “Easily Understanding Nakai Tabulature,” prior to attending. Foundational concepts for reading sheet music will not be covered during the session.
- Explore the interfaces of Noteflight and MuseScore to set up your first score, covering key signatures, measures, and pitches.
- Practice entering notes onto the staff in both platforms and use editing tools to fine-tune pitch and rhythm.
- Listen to your composition with playback tools, title your score, and save your work.
- Bonus: Find out how to add fingering diagrams to your scores!
About This Instructor:
Levering Thomas is a lifelong creative who has been honing her craft since 1960 when she began studying the violin at 8 years old. With two music degrees from UCLA under her belt - focusing on theory and history - Thomas spent the next decade playing, teaching, and living in Portland and Nehalem. In 2005, after discovering a passion for art, she graduated with a BA in printmaking from Marylhurst University. Today, Levering Thomas spends every day teaching music, painting, and sculpting while helping others find their own creative voice - a pursuit that brings her great joy.
About This Instructor:
onny Lipford is a world-renowned musician of extraordinary talent with more than 20 years of experience with the Native American flute and various world flutes. He has amassed dozens of accolades for his work; having written more than 200 original songs, released 18 commercial albums, and toured nationally, appearing for audiences of up to 14,000 people.
Not only is Jonny a gifted musician, but he is also an accomplished and highly-sought after instructor, leading thousands of students each year through courses, workshops, lessons, and an exceptional online learning membership.
How To Register?
To register for workshops, please visit your Student Dashboard and select "Event Registration." This will direct you to the page where you can sign up. Alternatively, you can reach the same page by choosing "Event Registration" under the "H+ Content" menu heading at the top of this page.
- Workshops are exclusively for Horizons+ Members.
- Guest workshops are included in membership dues.
- Members need to register for these events to attend live.
- Recordings of workshops will be made available to current members.
Introduction to Meditations of the East:
Shakuhachi with Shawn Tairyu Head
About This Workshop:
This workshop offers an introduction to the shakuhachi, the traditional Japanese bamboo flute, focusing on its tonal qualities and the core repertoire known as *Honkyoku*. Students will explore fundamental playing techniques, breath control, and the expressive possibilities of the instrument, while also examining the historical and cultural context of *Honkyoku* as a mendicant and musical practice. Through guided listening, demonstrations, and hands-on instruction, the course will consider how the shakuhachi’s aesthetic principles inform musical phrasing, articulation, and tone production. No prior experience with the shakuhachi is required, though familiarity with wind instruments may be beneficial.
About This Instructor:
Shawn Tairyu Head is a distinguished shakuhachi master, composer, and educator dedicated to bringing the shakuhachi to new audiences worldwide. His musical journey began with the viola at age 10, leading to a passion for composition by 16. Accepted into the Cleveland School of Music at 18, he was introduced to the shakuhachi and studied under renowned masters Kaoru Kakizakai and Michael Chikuzen Gould. Achieving the rank of Shihan in 2016, he was honored with the bamboo name "Renzoh," symbolizing purity and the preservation of knowledge. In 2024, Grandmaster Taniguchi Yoshinobu elevated him to Meiyo Daishihan ("Honored Grandmaster") and conferred the name "Tairyu," meaning "Great Dragon." Shawn has an active performing and recording schedule, maintains a growing studio of students, and has created an extensive video catalog on YouTube, documenting the canonical repertoire and providing invaluable resources for shakuhachi players of all levels. His compositions reflect the complex aesthetics of Japanese music, bridging his Western roots with Japanese sounds. Residing in Japan's Kansai region since 2020, he lives with his wife and two daughters, continuing to inspire a new generation of shakuhachi enthusiasts.
How To Register?
To register for workshops, please visit your Student Dashboard and select "Event Registration." This will direct you to the page where you can sign up. Alternatively, you can reach the same page by choosing "Event Registration" under the "H+ Content" menu heading at the top of this page.
- Workshops are exclusively for Horizons+ Members.
- Guest workshops are included in membership dues.
- Members need to register for these events to attend live.
- Recordings of workshops will be made available to current members.
Workshop Replays
Online Flute Workshops
Attention: Active Horizons Plus Members can register for these events on the "Event Registration" page found in their Student Dashboard. You will see all upcoming Q&A Sessions, Flute Circles, Fireside Events and Workshop dates and times listed there.
Workshops are included in your membership and there are no additional fees to attend!
If you're not a Horizons Plus Member but want to become one, click the button below to unlock Courses, Workshops, Q&A Sessions, Flute Circles and so much more!