Now Accepting New Students!

In-person and online private lessons and coaching sessions are now available for students of all ages and levels.

I have an extensive background in teaching students of all ages and abilities, from 6 year old beginners through adult amateurs and college undergraduates.  My students have been successful at local and state-wide competitions, and have been accepted into prestigious masterclasses and summer festivals. My students regularly win ILMEA All-State auditions, top ratings at solo & ensemble competitions, and have been prize winners at the Chicago Flute Club Student Competition, Society of American Musicians Competition, and various concerto competitions. They also hold positions with various Chicago and suburban youth orchestras. 

Regardless of a student's professional aspirations, I strive to give each developing flutist the skills they will need to enjoy a lifetime of music. Additionally, flute lessons help students to develop creative thinking skills, problem solving, personal responsibility, and commitment.

In addition to my own private studio in Ingleside, I am the flute instructor at Knight Music Academy (North Barrington). Prospective students are welcome to contact me for availability, rates, and to set up a complimentary introductory lesson.  Online lessons are also available for students outside the Chicago area.  While most students come on a weekly basis, I do see students for one time coaching and audition preparation.  

Adult Learners

Adult students are very welcome in my studio. Whether you are a life-long player, are looking to reconnect with your instrument after a long break, or want to pick it up for the first time, I can help you along your path. I work with each adult learner individually to set goals according to the student’s schedule and interests. I can also help adult students secure solo, chamber, and large ensemble performance opportunities.

What you’ll learn

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    Basic fundamentals of breath control, tone production, and technique.

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    A comprehensive understanding and mastery of scales, arpeggios, and basic music theory.

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    Confident performance practice in a range of styles including baroque, classical, romantic, and modern repertoire.

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    Strategies for successful practice, performance, and auditions.

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    If desired, students can work on auxillary instruments including piccolo, alto, and bass flutes.

Testimonials

  • “James has inspired and motivated my daughter to strive for a high level of achievement. He is enthusiastic, highly accomplished and thoroughly disciplined and I am quite pleased at how my daughter has progressed. He is creative and combines a nurturing approach with high expectations which is exactly what my daughter needs. My daughter loves going to her lessons and that says it all!” — Julie Ruiz, mother of a high school flute student

  • “James is the best flute teacher! He knows an incredible amount about flute instruction and technique and encourages me to develop my own style. My lessons are very challenging but always fun. He is so great with explaining and demonstrating things to me that help me develop my skills. I am lucky that I am able to have lessons from him. He is an amazing flutist!!!” — Raquel, high school flute student

  • I’ve been an adult student of James Donahue for over two years, and his impact on my playing has been tremendous. James is a passionate, professional, and dedicated teacher who challenges his students with care and encouragement. His high standards and belief in his students’ potential have pushed me to grow far beyond what I thought possible. I wholeheartedly recommend him as a flute teacher. -Shapoor Guzder

  • Throughout the time my daughter studied with him from the 5th grade until the 11th grade, James always caught the right timing to introduce appropriate materials, summer and masterclass opportunities, and competition challenges to her by seeing her readiness for each of them. I also trusted his emphasis on the importance of fundamental skills as a vehicle of expressing musical ideas. His encouragement to make "the scale game" and etudes as part of her daily practice was a blessing. Her sense of discipline has encompassed other areas of her life learning that diligence pays off. His introduction of orchestral excerpt materials to her in the rather earlier stage of her flute studying is worth the mention. Not only did it lead her to prepare for auditions down the line, this gave her a perspective of how to become an effective part of the whole and a sense of collaboration on a bigger scale. James always valued my daughter's independence and the choices she made for her best interest. With his comprehensive approach, James helped her establish a sense of identity and enough confidence and humility in herself and create an outlet for her expressive ideas, all of which is an essential and critical part of these developmental years of a healthy adolescent.  Thanks to James's holistic approach and guidance, my daughter has become a well-equipped musician in training.  Michiyo Oyasu