Note-worthy Experiences Music Studio
F E A T U R E
Interview with Tim Flores
F E A T U R E
Interview with Tim Flores
How old were you when you first got interested in music, and when did you start piano lessons?
I started getting interested in music during Elementary school but I actually didn’t start playing piano until I was almost 11 or 12 years old. I actually started playing on my sister's keyboard that she received for Christmas and within a couple of days I had learned my first song without any help. I started piano lessons shortly after that Christmas and the rest was history!
Did you (or do you) play any other instruments?
I actually used to play a lot of instruments! In middle school I played clarinet and saxophone before learning how to play trombone in high school, and then by the time I got to University I was actually selected to become the section leader for the University Marching Band’s Euphonium/Baritone Section. I also play a little bit of guitar and drums but only enough to have some fun with friends! Being able to play a lot of different instruments has given me a lot of insight on working with other musicians and allows me to effectively communicate with soloists and their instruments because I’ve had experience with lots of instruments.
Who were some of your most inspiring teachers?
I have recently had some really great teachers that have taken me under their wings and that have made it known that I am worth their time. I have had a wonderful past couple of years working with some really wonderful teachers who continue to inspire me and motivate me to not only be a better musician, but also share their knowledge and teachings to other students and colleagues!
What is your favorite genre of music to play?
I am a big advocate of Contemporary Music! That’s any music that's composed by living or recently deceased composers. Contemporary Music can be difficult to listen to at the beginning and is kind of like learning a new language because the sounds and ideas are so different from what we are used to hearing, but it reflects our lives today and was written by composers that are alive today and can be just as fulfilling as any music! Sometimes it’s also just exciting to be able to ask the composer what something should sound like instead of guessing what a 300 year old composer wanted!
How often did you practice when you were a kid and how have your practices changed since you became a professional?
While I was a kid I never took music too seriously but I did practice quite a bit since it was one of my favorite hobbies. During my “practice” I would just learn music that I enjoyed playing and that’s what kept me interested for so long. Throughout college I mostly practiced for 4 or 5 hours a day but some days I would push on for close to 10 hours. These days I try to get at least 3 or 4 hours in if I’m not preparing music as a collaborative pianist. I’m always trying to find new works to learn and am always trying to challenge what I can do!
What was your most memorable music performance?
My most memorable performance wasn’t actually a solo classical concert but while I was working with a theatre company in Tampa! I had worked with this company before but the entire cast and staff were so vibrant and welcoming that it actually became one of the most enjoyable gigs I’ve ever had! Every night was more fun than the last and the music itself never became boring or repetitive which is something that every pit musician understands!
What do you like most about teaching young musicians?
Young musicians are such a joy to work with! It’s often easy to forget how much joy we can get from music and how beneficial it can be to everyday life. The greatest moments in my opinion are the ones where you hear that a student is using music as a new outlet for their everyday lives or are becoming more confident in their school or social life!
What is your best advice to students who want to learn a new instrument or improve their playing?
Patience and planning are super important in my opinion. Being able to just keep going even though something may be difficult is something that I struggle with even in my own practice, some things just might not come easy but that doesn’t mean we can’t do it. At the same time, making sure that you have a plan when you start your daily practice is a great way to motivate yourself and not over-practice and become frustrated.
When you’re not performing or teaching, what other hobbies or interests do you have?
I enjoy cooking and baking very much and love challenging myself in the kitchen to discover new foods and recipes!
Learn more about Tim on his Teacher Page.
I started getting interested in music during Elementary school but I actually didn’t start playing piano until I was almost 11 or 12 years old. I actually started playing on my sister's keyboard that she received for Christmas and within a couple of days I had learned my first song without any help. I started piano lessons shortly after that Christmas and the rest was history!
Did you (or do you) play any other instruments?
I actually used to play a lot of instruments! In middle school I played clarinet and saxophone before learning how to play trombone in high school, and then by the time I got to University I was actually selected to become the section leader for the University Marching Band’s Euphonium/Baritone Section. I also play a little bit of guitar and drums but only enough to have some fun with friends! Being able to play a lot of different instruments has given me a lot of insight on working with other musicians and allows me to effectively communicate with soloists and their instruments because I’ve had experience with lots of instruments.
Who were some of your most inspiring teachers?
I have recently had some really great teachers that have taken me under their wings and that have made it known that I am worth their time. I have had a wonderful past couple of years working with some really wonderful teachers who continue to inspire me and motivate me to not only be a better musician, but also share their knowledge and teachings to other students and colleagues!
What is your favorite genre of music to play?
I am a big advocate of Contemporary Music! That’s any music that's composed by living or recently deceased composers. Contemporary Music can be difficult to listen to at the beginning and is kind of like learning a new language because the sounds and ideas are so different from what we are used to hearing, but it reflects our lives today and was written by composers that are alive today and can be just as fulfilling as any music! Sometimes it’s also just exciting to be able to ask the composer what something should sound like instead of guessing what a 300 year old composer wanted!
How often did you practice when you were a kid and how have your practices changed since you became a professional?
While I was a kid I never took music too seriously but I did practice quite a bit since it was one of my favorite hobbies. During my “practice” I would just learn music that I enjoyed playing and that’s what kept me interested for so long. Throughout college I mostly practiced for 4 or 5 hours a day but some days I would push on for close to 10 hours. These days I try to get at least 3 or 4 hours in if I’m not preparing music as a collaborative pianist. I’m always trying to find new works to learn and am always trying to challenge what I can do!
What was your most memorable music performance?
My most memorable performance wasn’t actually a solo classical concert but while I was working with a theatre company in Tampa! I had worked with this company before but the entire cast and staff were so vibrant and welcoming that it actually became one of the most enjoyable gigs I’ve ever had! Every night was more fun than the last and the music itself never became boring or repetitive which is something that every pit musician understands!
What do you like most about teaching young musicians?
Young musicians are such a joy to work with! It’s often easy to forget how much joy we can get from music and how beneficial it can be to everyday life. The greatest moments in my opinion are the ones where you hear that a student is using music as a new outlet for their everyday lives or are becoming more confident in their school or social life!
What is your best advice to students who want to learn a new instrument or improve their playing?
Patience and planning are super important in my opinion. Being able to just keep going even though something may be difficult is something that I struggle with even in my own practice, some things just might not come easy but that doesn’t mean we can’t do it. At the same time, making sure that you have a plan when you start your daily practice is a great way to motivate yourself and not over-practice and become frustrated.
When you’re not performing or teaching, what other hobbies or interests do you have?
I enjoy cooking and baking very much and love challenging myself in the kitchen to discover new foods and recipes!
Learn more about Tim on his Teacher Page.