per week per student
Intro to Native American Flute | Online Flute Lessons
This course introduces students to the Native American style flute and can be taken by both beginners as well as intermediate players. The Native American style flute is a simple instrument to master, and keen students will discover how to play with basic proficiency in only a few lessons. This course will teach students the essential elements of playing Native American flute including correct technique, appropriate style, as well as learning and understanding deep listening skills that will enable them to compose original music from the very first lesson.
Harpers Ferry, WV
United States
Educator Profile

Course Details
This course was originally designed for a community college's lifelong learning curriculum and has been successfully offered for nearly a decade through that program. While traditional music lessons in the classical approach may require students to spend years learning basic mastery, students find that they are often able to achieve basic mastery of the Native American style flute in just a few lessons. Simple to learn, and easy to carry along on travels, hikes, and pretty much anywhere, students find that the Native American style flute is easy to fit into daily life, and often brings them great enjoyment. This course is unconventional in approach and gives students a lot of freedom in learning to play. Students will learn:
- Technique ~ including proper hand position and posture, finger position, embouchure (mouth position), and fingering of the full range of the instrument
- Breath control ~ students will learn different approaches to breathing and air usage to create a beautiful tone quality
- Style ~ students will learn standard elements of style and technique used in Native American style music and will apply those techniques to music they create and learn in lessons
- Listening ~ students will learn a deep listening approach that will inform their approach to playing and will guide them in the creation of original music
- Creativity ~ students will learn a method of listening to the world around them (nature) to inform them in creating original music. Students with no experience in composition and / or improvisation are welcome in this course, as this approach is accessible to all students, even beginners.
- Culture ~ students will learn about some of the traditions of the Native American style flute and will explore these traditions through bringing together music, storytelling, nature connection, and contemplation. Personal student interest will guide the approach we use.
This course does *not* require the ability to read musical notation, and music reading will not be taught during the course.
About Angela Blueskies: Angela Blueskies, a graduate of Peabody Conservatory, has been teaching and performing for over thirty years, and is a creative and passionate educator. Her multi-genre career has found her in a variety of performance settings, from symphony orchestras and chamber music to off-Broadway productions, to world music and improvisation, to touring healing arts centers across North and South America offering music and sound meditation events and workshops. For many years, Angela was an artist-in-residence for both the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Choral Arts Society of Washington, bringing music integrated programs into K – 12 classrooms. She has just released her third album, Ayni, a collection of original songs inspired by her path of music and meditation. Angela lives in the greater Washington DC area, and now teaches flute, Native American flute, and voice exclusively online.
Angela Blueskies is also seen as a medicine woman, facilitator, and visionary musician who has a deepened understanding of the healing power of both music and the Earth. Angela has been playing the flute since the age of nine and was mostly self-taught until she attended high school. Angela has immersed herself in global music styles, such as African trance drumming, the music of the Himalayas, Native American flute music, traditional Celtic folk music, and ceremonial songs. Angela has performed in churches, concert halls, yoga studios, schools, temples, and in sacred ceremonies across the world. She has also released two albums: Songs of Spirit and Sound Medicine Meditations.
Students enrolling for this course on ipassio can be sure that they receive individual attention from the teacher, as the class strength is limited to 1 or 2 students. It also gives teachers the opportunity, to gauge their students progress in depth and make changes whenever and wherever required, to ensure the student gets the maximum out of this course. Since this course is detailed, students get the advantage of learning intricate details about this art form. The limited strength of the class also ensures that there is a strong bond between the students and their teacher clearing out any inhibitions that the student might have. The sustained guidance available from the teacher ensures that the student does not deviate from set goals or targets. Learning from a revered, experienced exponent of this art form, through the long duration of this course, keeps the student inspired and motivated to achieve more.
- Student will learn to play music on the Native American style flute, and achieve basic mastery of technique and style
- Create a collection of original music to play on the Native American style flute
- Explore playing music as a pathway to contemplation and stress reduction
- Learn a variety of ways to integrate music into their lives
- Learn about the culture connected to Native American music, and the flute in particular
- Cultivate trust in their own intuitive creative abilities
- This course is appropriate for both beginners, students with no musical background or experience, and those with some experience.
- This course is designed for students age 14 to adult, and is not appropriate for younger students.
- All students must have a Native American style flute in excellent condition, and mid-size (key of A is standard, but other keys are also fine). Wood flutes are preferred, and students with bamboo, PVC, or other flutes should contact Angela to determine if their flute is appropriate for this course. Very large flutes may be difficult to play for beginner students. Students with more than one flute are welcome to bring their selection to the first lesson, or at any time during the course.
- If you are seeking to purchase a new Native American style flute for this course, there are many excellent flute makers online. My personal favorite is Jon Norris: https://jonnorrismusic.com/
- Students must plan to attend lessons from a private space with the ability to close the door to limit distractions. Students are welcome to join online using a computer, tablet, or phone, and must silence all other applications during our lessons in order to limit distractions.
- Most of our instruction will be listening based, and will not require the purchase of music and books. Students should come to each lesson with a notebook and pencil, and may also find it useful to explore a voice recorder app as we create new music. Additional resources will be provided by Angela.
Weekly Schedule
These sections are for individual students.
If none of the above timings work for you, just sign up for a free session and we'll work out the timings. | Sign up for a Free Session |
SECTION | DAY & TIME | Available | |
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Section
Section A
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Sun 11:00am - 11:45am America/New_York
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1 Seat |
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Section
Section B
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Mon 2:00pm - 2:45pm America/New_York
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1 Seat |
SECTION | DAY & TIME | Available | |
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Section
Section C
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Mon 3:00pm - 3:45pm America/New_York
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1 Seat |
SECTION | DAY & TIME | Available | |
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Section
Section D
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Mon 4:00pm - 4:45pm America/New_York
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1 Seat |
SECTION | DAY & TIME | Available | |
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Section
Section E
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Tue 2:00pm - 2:45pm America/New_York
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1 Seat |
SECTION | DAY & TIME | Available | |
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Section
Section F
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Tue 3:00pm - 3:45pm America/New_York
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1 Seat |
SECTION | DAY & TIME | Available | |
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Section
Section G
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Tue 4:00pm - 4:45pm America/New_York
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1 Seat |
SECTION | DAY & TIME | Available | |
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Section
Section H
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Wed 2:00pm - 2:45pm America/New_York
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1 Seat |
SECTION | DAY & TIME | Available | |
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Section
Section I
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Wed 3:00pm - 3:45pm America/New_York
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1 Seat |
SECTION | DAY & TIME | Available | |
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Section
Section J
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Wed 4:00pm - 4:45pm America/New_York
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1 Seat |
SECTION | DAY & TIME | Available | |
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Section
Section K
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Thu 2:00pm - 2:45pm America/New_York
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1 Seat |
SECTION | DAY & TIME | Available | |
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Section
Section L
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Thu 3:00pm - 3:45pm America/New_York
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1 Seat |
SECTION | DAY & TIME | Available | |
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Section
Section M
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Thu 4:00pm - 4:45pm America/New_York
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1 Seat |
SECTION | DAY & TIME | Available | |
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Section
Section N
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Fri 2:00pm - 2:45pm America/New_York
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1 Seat |
SECTION | DAY & TIME | Available | |
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Section
Section O
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Fri 3:00pm - 3:45pm America/New_York
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1 Seat |