Amy Lenk is the newest member of our flute faculty! She joined the Academy as a Teaching Artist last summer and is new to the area. Faculty Coordinator Claire Allen sat down with Amy to learn more about her music and her teaching!
CAllen: What excites you the most about joining the music faculty at the Academy?
ALenk: I’m excited to meet new students and to be part of a thriving arts community!
CAllen: How did you first fall in love with music?
ALenk: My family is very musical. I grew up with piano, harp, violin, clarinet, cello, singing and flute in the house. So my love of music began through the musical nurture my parents and older sister fostered. Playing in youth symphony in high school is what really caused me to fall in love with music. Playing in an orchestra makes you feel as though you have a part in something much bigger than yourself and it’s a powerful experience!
CAllen: Tell us about a teaching experience you had that was especially memorable.
ALenk: Most memorable for me is hearing my students perform in recitals. I always feel like I could burst with pride!
CAllen: What are some unique things you do when you teach?
ALenk: I like to inspire curiosity in students. I show by example and ask lots of questions to get them listening and thinking about how to improve whatever aspect of flute playing we are working on. This engages the student and encourages them to take ownership of their development more than if I were to spoon-feed them all the answers. I also use a lot of food metaphors, because I love food! [laughs]
CAllen: Do you have any pets? If so, tell us about them. If not, tell us the type of pet you would like to have.
ALenk: I don’t have any pets now, but I love dogs! #Teamdog
CAllen: What else would you like our community to know about you?
ALenk: Just that I love playing the flute and it’s hard to imagine anything more fulfilling than seeing that love grow in my students!
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