A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE STUDIO
We like to think of ourselves as Nova Scotia's friendliest flute studio. Learning to play an instrument is a wonderful, challenging and glorious experience, and we have a community that is here to support you.
Students from 5 years old to I-don't-admit-my-age get to experience the joys of making music through private lessons, student collaborations, our Tiny Toots classes and our Feisty Flutes ensembles.
If you want to prepare for university auditions, if you've just moved to Canada and need a new teacher, if your 6 year old has been begging to play flute or if you want to get a head start for band, we can do that together!
WHO IS MY TEACHER?
With 30 years of experience as a private instructor, Amy O'Neill is an active flute clinician at national music festivals, a Registered Music Teacher and a flute specialist for the Halifax & South Shore Centres for Education.
Before returning to the East Coast, Amy O'Neill was a lecturer in Western University's Faculty of Music, teaching classical flute and Irish traditional music practices.
With extensive musical theatre, orchestral and session experience, Amy has performed across North America and Europe as a classical and traditional Irish flutist.
WHAT DO WE DO?
Our students study flute, piccolo, Irish flute & tin whistle and play in our Feisty Flutes Ensembles.
We start kids as young as 5 in our Tiny Toots program, and work with our older students on everything from learning the basics to studying for advanced Royal Conservatory exams and preparing for university auditions.
Each student comes to us with his or her own musical goals, and we work together to reach them.
We're really proud of our students and the things they have accomplished. From winning scholarships in Irish & Classical music to completing RCM exams and succeeding in music school auditions, we love it when their achievements are celebrated!
Click on the photos to see some of the awards and honours our students have earned.
Our Students
Shine took and passed his RCM Flute Exam with First Class Honours and competed above his age range in his Kiwanis competitions. Congratulations!
Carson, age 7, made his professional debut at the Halifax Central Library as the train whistle in a performance of "Luna's Magic Flute". Congratulations!
In a competitive field of applicants, Maya was awarded the 2018 Edward J. Ward Irish Music Scholarship to further her Irish flute studies. The awards committee praised her for her passion for Irish music and her drive to share that passion with her community. Congratulations, Maya!
Rhianne successfully auditioned to play flute and piccolo for the London Youth Symphony. She completed her RCM Grade 8 Flute Exam with First Class Honours, was invited to compete as a soloist with her high school wind ensemble in the Kiwanis Festival, won the O'Neill Flute Studio Summer Technique Relay and was invited to participate in the Honour Band at Western University. Congratulations!
Giancarlo won first place in the senior division of the Studio Audition Contest, earning a chance to play with Encore... the Concert Band and also earned a place in his school's invitation-only Junior Orchestra. He auditioned for and was one of the only students in his grade to be accepted into his school's Wind Ensemble. He also achieved excellent results on the RCM Grade 5 Flute Exam! Congratulations!
Brooklyn won first place in the junior division of the Studio Audition Contest, and has won the chance to play wtih Encore... the Concert Band. Congratulations!
April auditioned for and has been accepted on scholarship into the music program at the University of Waterloo. She was also the 2009 recipient of the Margaret Stalker Flute Award. Congratulations!
Jasper auditioned for and was accepted into the Toronto Youth Wind Orchestra, has performed in numerous masterclasses, won his school's music award and was invited to play in the school orchestra. Congratulations!
Kathy auditioned for and has been accepted into the London Youth Symphony Chamber Winds program. Congratulations!
Our studio could not exist without the support of our students' parents and families.
We love how you are part of our musical journeys, whether it's driving someone to a lesson
every week after school, playing duets with them at home or cheering them on as they practise.
Thank-you for everything you do to support the musicians in your family.
Daniela, Teodora's mom
"Thank you again for your continuous support and trust in Teodora's abilities. You are amazing!
Teodora loves your teaching and she also enjoys talking to you very much.
You are a great mentor!
Thank you!"
Jason Pfeiffer, Irish flutist
"I also did a private lesson with one of your students that morning.
WOW is she good!!
Very fast ear and great Irish technique.
You do VERY good work, my friend."
Xuemei, Shine's mom
"Shine and I are always talking about you. You are a wonderful teacher! You gave Shine impressive music lessons and that kept him continuing on music. Music brings colourful life to Shine.
Thank you!"
Sonia, student
"I am so happy to say that I feel that I have really evolved musically,and accomplished more than I thought possible in terms of playing. I credit you for all of this.
You are amazing!!"
Michal, Ursula's mom
"Thank you so much, Amy, for a morning of beautiful music in a very lovely setting. It was such a pleasure to listen to all the wonderful players who study with you!
Many thanks, too, for all your work with Ursula.
Rhianne, student
"I don't know how I would have survived my first year after moving to Canada without my flute lessons!
Thank-you!!!"