Note-worthy Experiences Music Studio
F E A T U R E
Interview with Allison Elmgren
F E A T U R E
Interview with Allison Elmgren
How old were you when you first learned to play an instrument?
I started playing the flute when I was 11 years old. I was about to enter the 6th grade and wanted to join the band and decided on the flute because my mom played the flute. I had tried some other instruments before but the flute really clicked with me. Everything came fairly easy to me and I really liked to play it! My middle school band director always pushed me to do better and for me to start private lessons. I started lessons in 7th grade and continued to improve! Once I reached high school, I joined a youth orchestra with another great director who pushed me to study music in college. The rest is history!
How often did you practice when you were a kid and how have your practices changed since you became a professional?
I started piano lessons when I was 8 years old but found it quite boring. My teacher always assigned me the same music week after week and I wanted to move on to new pieces. Looking back now as a teacher, I realized she did that because I never practiced (I actually didn’t know what practicing meant)! Once I started flute lessons, I had a teacher who taught me how to practice well and how practicing in that way helped me get better! I always wanted to practice more in high school but found it hard to find the time with all of my schoolwork. I loved being in college because I could practice as much as I wanted! I would sometimes practice as much as 7 hours a day. Of course, your practice habits change as you get older, and now that I am out of college and a new mom, I am lucky to get a whole hour a day. I have shifted my practice to focus on quality over quantity. I spend less time practicing but focus on exactly what I need to work on in order to make the most efficient use of that time.
What is your best advice to students who want to learn a new instrument or improve their playing?
Remember that music is meant to be fun! Do not put too much pressure on yourself or compare yourself with other’s progress. The best way I have found to improve my playing is to record myself all the time. You can start with just warm-ups or scales and then move on to full pieces. You hear everything so much better when you aren’t actively playing it. It can be intimidating at first but remember that only you are listening to it!
When you are not performing or teaching, what do you like to do?
My other hobbies include reading, drawing, painting, baking, playing board games, and playing video games. I love getting to spend time with my family, whether it be going on hikes or playing games together online. I love getting to explore the Boston area as I recently became a new resident! Tell me about your favorite places to eat food and explore in Boston!
Learn more about our Flute and Piano teacher Allison in her Teacher Page.
I started playing the flute when I was 11 years old. I was about to enter the 6th grade and wanted to join the band and decided on the flute because my mom played the flute. I had tried some other instruments before but the flute really clicked with me. Everything came fairly easy to me and I really liked to play it! My middle school band director always pushed me to do better and for me to start private lessons. I started lessons in 7th grade and continued to improve! Once I reached high school, I joined a youth orchestra with another great director who pushed me to study music in college. The rest is history!
How often did you practice when you were a kid and how have your practices changed since you became a professional?
I started piano lessons when I was 8 years old but found it quite boring. My teacher always assigned me the same music week after week and I wanted to move on to new pieces. Looking back now as a teacher, I realized she did that because I never practiced (I actually didn’t know what practicing meant)! Once I started flute lessons, I had a teacher who taught me how to practice well and how practicing in that way helped me get better! I always wanted to practice more in high school but found it hard to find the time with all of my schoolwork. I loved being in college because I could practice as much as I wanted! I would sometimes practice as much as 7 hours a day. Of course, your practice habits change as you get older, and now that I am out of college and a new mom, I am lucky to get a whole hour a day. I have shifted my practice to focus on quality over quantity. I spend less time practicing but focus on exactly what I need to work on in order to make the most efficient use of that time.
What is your best advice to students who want to learn a new instrument or improve their playing?
Remember that music is meant to be fun! Do not put too much pressure on yourself or compare yourself with other’s progress. The best way I have found to improve my playing is to record myself all the time. You can start with just warm-ups or scales and then move on to full pieces. You hear everything so much better when you aren’t actively playing it. It can be intimidating at first but remember that only you are listening to it!
When you are not performing or teaching, what do you like to do?
My other hobbies include reading, drawing, painting, baking, playing board games, and playing video games. I love getting to spend time with my family, whether it be going on hikes or playing games together online. I love getting to explore the Boston area as I recently became a new resident! Tell me about your favorite places to eat food and explore in Boston!
Learn more about our Flute and Piano teacher Allison in her Teacher Page.
