with International Flute Soloists
William Bennett & Lorna McGhee
Dr. Gabriella Minnes-Brandes
Alexander Technique Roger Admiral pianist |
Gwen Klassen
Life & Music Coach flutist, teacher Founder and Director (403) 993 - 3402 |

Mental Performance Skills Coach
Carolyn Christie
In addition to her career in the Montreal Symphony and 40 years of professional teaching, Ms. Christie holds a master’s degree in human kinetics and is a certified counselor in mental performance skills for musicians. Her Mental Performance Skills Workshops have been offered to hundreds of musicians, from coast to coast including members of the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, CAMMAC—Montréal and at the Curtis Institute of Music.
Carolyn Christie
In addition to her career in the Montreal Symphony and 40 years of professional teaching, Ms. Christie holds a master’s degree in human kinetics and is a certified counselor in mental performance skills for musicians. Her Mental Performance Skills Workshops have been offered to hundreds of musicians, from coast to coast including members of the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, CAMMAC—Montréal and at the Curtis Institute of Music.
for those curious fluters who are seeking to expand their experience of performing and pedagogy through mindful awareness of connection, choice and compassion.
Presented by Ptarmigan Arts
deadline March 1, 2020
click for brochure
New Testimonial video
4 minute video: http://youtu.be/xtQdYvJ71AY
Presented by Ptarmigan Arts
deadline March 1, 2020
click for brochure
New Testimonial video
4 minute video: http://youtu.be/xtQdYvJ71AY
The appearance of Altus Flute Artist Lorna McGhee has been made possible, in part through an Educational Grant from Altus Flutes. Lorna McGhee plays exclusively on Altus Flutes.

Reflections from PIFR 2016 - John Sutton, Performer
I want to record some of the more important things I feel I have received during PIFR 2016.
Firstly, I am leaving Pender Island with a heart that is more open and happier. I am so grateful for this change, and hope that I can continue to choose to pursue more freedom and joy once I return home.
I have played for William Bennett. I have caught some of his passion, sat and talked flutes, and pulled open the simplest of phrases with persistent intensity. It has been wild, funny, bewildering and surreal. I also might need a new headjoint $$$$…
I have sniffed the essence of the transformation that Alexander Technique could bring to my playing. I will definitely be seeking out AT sessions when I get home. Gaby, I promise I will keep working, working, working towards less effort!
I have drunk in a lot of Lorna’s gentle poetic wisdom. Some of it has stuck, the rest of it has been scribbled frantically across page after page of notes. I will be returning to these many beautiful phrases many times in the coming months.
I have met so many wonderful people, all with a passion not for personal recognition and gain, but for learning how to communicate through sound a little better each day. Humility has possibly never been said in a sentence with flute before, but I think I can use it with absolute truth about my experiences at PIFR.
Thank you Pender Island Flute Retreat 2016!!!
I want to record some of the more important things I feel I have received during PIFR 2016.
Firstly, I am leaving Pender Island with a heart that is more open and happier. I am so grateful for this change, and hope that I can continue to choose to pursue more freedom and joy once I return home.
I have played for William Bennett. I have caught some of his passion, sat and talked flutes, and pulled open the simplest of phrases with persistent intensity. It has been wild, funny, bewildering and surreal. I also might need a new headjoint $$$$…
I have sniffed the essence of the transformation that Alexander Technique could bring to my playing. I will definitely be seeking out AT sessions when I get home. Gaby, I promise I will keep working, working, working towards less effort!
I have drunk in a lot of Lorna’s gentle poetic wisdom. Some of it has stuck, the rest of it has been scribbled frantically across page after page of notes. I will be returning to these many beautiful phrases many times in the coming months.
I have met so many wonderful people, all with a passion not for personal recognition and gain, but for learning how to communicate through sound a little better each day. Humility has possibly never been said in a sentence with flute before, but I think I can use it with absolute truth about my experiences at PIFR.
Thank you Pender Island Flute Retreat 2016!!!