Classes, Fun Shops, and More
The items below are included with your registration for Solstice Flute Camp
Classes
Newbies Welcome
Levels – 1st Time Flute Player
with Shelley Morningsong
If you have never played the Native American flute but, have a deep desire to learn how, this class is for you. In this class Shelley will teach you how to properly play the Native American flute. It’s simple to learn how the basic scale is played. Learn how to play a simple song. You will experience a joyous environment that allows you to learn at a pace that is comfortable, safe, and fun.
Introduction to the Native American Flute
Levels – Beginners
with Rona Yellow Robe
Embark on a transformative journey with Rona’s Beginner class, where you will go further in discovering the Native American style flute as you unlock your own creative potential.
As you learn the basics of the flute, including scale, embellishments, finger dexterity, and breathing techniques, you will also tap into your sacred and unique style to play your own Spirit Songs with passion and confidence.
Rona’s supportive and engaging approach ensures a safe and enjoyable environment to confidently learn, create, and will also prepare you to pursue further education of the Native American style flute, if you wish.
Seven Keys to Unlocking Musical Relations
Level – Intermediate I and II – Advanced
with Kalani Das
Learn how to use seven key inter-musical techniques (borrowed from music therapy practices) to create, develop, and enjoy music making with others. Learn how to more deeply connect with others by changing your music in specific ways as you develop both musical and inter-personal relationships. This session will open your eyes to new possibilities for creating, connecting, and developing your practice and purpose. Bring a few popular key flutes (A, G, F#, D, E)
Designing Dynamic Improvisations
Levels – Intermediate I and II – Advanced
with Suzanne Teng
Improvising is fun. It’s a creative release. It’s easier than learning or composing a piece. I play more emotionally when I improvise.
These are some of the reasons why I love to improvise, and maybe you feel the same way? But do you sometimes feel your improvisations lack variety, or feel stale or repetitive? Sometimes I have no idea what to do, or how to start or end, or where to go. Or I’m afraid I’ll wander off and get lost in my ideas, or worry I’ll play some “wrong” notes. Sound at all familiar?
After years of experiencing these thoughts while improvising, I’ve learned a few things. In this class, I will offer you tips and methods to help you design dynamic improvisations in the moment, that are cohesive yet free and full of expression and feeling.
The Art/Heart of Practice
Levels – Intermediate I and II – Advanced
with Joseph Young
Authentically playing from the Heart involves deep connection between our hearts and our voices (through our flutes). Learn tools and techniques that will help you explore the Art of practice in a productive and rewarding way, so that your heart/voice connection can flow easily and freely.
NOTE: Intermediate and Advance students will rotate instructors each day.
Fun Shops
Word Up!
Levels – All levels
with Kalani Das
What’s in a word? So many things! Join Kalani as we explore the space where music, poetry, and theatrics collide. Bring a few flutes and some other stuff.
Musical Melodramas!
Level – All levels
with Shelley Morningsong
Join Shelly on a fun adventure where the Native American flute meets Broadway. Join in with your fellow campers to create mini plays where the dialog is replaced by flutes! The results will be fun, hilarious, serious, whatever you want them to be!
Flute and Drum Jam!
Levels – All levels
with Suzanne Teng and Gilbert Levy
Bring your favorite flutes. Any key and any type of flute is welcome! Suzanne and Gilbert will facilitate a fun, freeing, drum and flute circle. Please bring your favorite drums, percussion and shakers if you’d like to join in the drumming fun.
Playing with Stuff!
Levels – All levels
with Joseph L. Young
Come and join in the musical experiment with Joe playing flutes along with various different instruments (stuff) that you might not have experienced before, either live or recorded.
Open Discussions
Flute Circle Round Table Discussion
with Bill Brinckerhoff
All are welcome to join Bill on Wednesday at 12:30 pm in the dining hall for a round table discussion about all things flute circles. Not sure what a flute circle is, come and join us to find out!
Flute Tuning and Care
with Ron Stutz
All are welcome to join Ron on Thursday at 3:00 pm in the Newell Activity Center for a discussion on the tuning and care of your Native America style flutes.
Activities
Student Trading Post
On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday you are invited to bring your flutes, stands, bags, rattles and drums for sale or trade. There will be an area in the Newell Activity Center with tables to show your wares. Registered students will receive more information as we get closer to Camp 2025
Blessing Ceremony
Join us around the campfire on Monday night for our traditional Blessing Ceremony lead by Rona Yellow Robe and Shelley Morningsong. This moving ceremony is a wonderful way to begin our flute journey together. Afterwards, many of our students spend the rest of the evening playing flutes together. Word is that flute magic starts here and continues every night around the campfire.
Drum Circle
Tuesday night, experience another signature Solstice event at our Drum Circle in the Newell Activity Center. Kalani Das will lead us on our journey as we feel the rhythm, experience the energy and let our spirit’s soar. Each drum circle is a unique experience full of fun, joy and healing. We will provide drums and percussion instruments, and you can bring your own as well.