On October 23, members of the Bienen School of Music’s flute studio participated in an online master class hosted by Michael Tilson Thomas (MTT) and the New World Symphony. Flutists in three different locations – one each at the New World Center in Miami, Berklee College of Music in Boston, and Bienen School of Music in Evanston – performed one movement of a sonata or solo piece, then received feedback and coaching from MTT. During the second half of the class, MTT answered questions from the students in each location and from the online audience. 

Flutists from across the country tuned in to the live broadcast on Facebook. A recording of the class, which has already been viewed more than 5,000 times, is available on the New World Symphony Facebook page.

Ann Green, a master’s flute student of John Thorne who performed on behalf of the Bienen School during the class, said she was thankful for the opportunity to participate and learn from MTT. “I am so grateful to have been chosen to perform in this intriguing new style of learning and I am very appreciative to attend a school that supports new endeavors such as online masterclasses.”

Green added, “Being able to interact with flute pedagogues and fellow students around the country without travel was a very informative, beneficial, and exciting experience. Advice from Michael Tilson Thomas has instilled within the flute studio an inspiration for life-long curiosity inside and outside the field of music.”

MTT is co-founder and artistic director of the New World Symphony, music director of the San Francisco Symphony, and conductor laureate of the London Symphony Orchestra. Professor Thorne, who is also an alumnus of New World Symphony, served as one of the event’s emcees.