From participants - for more in depth testimonials, click here
"enjoyed working with Master Teachers who are gifted not only in nurturing you as a musician, but also nurturing your mind, body and spirit as well....in a relaxed, beautiful, safe environment....the faculty are in classes with you and they get to know you....I would recommend PIFR to my colleagues in New York" Elizabeth Shuhan Music Ed Faculty; Ithaca College/Guest Flute Lecturer; Cornell University PIFR 2013
"to work with Wibb is a once in a lifetime opportunity that I would encourage any serious flutist to pursue. His teaching has influenced my playing on a deep level and I am forever grateful for the lessons he taught me. He is truly one of the great masters and having him teach a Masterclass in a place as stunningly beautiful as Pender seems like a dream come true"" Sarah Gieck Flute Instructor at University of Lethbridge/Flutist with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. www.gbflutes.com PIFR 2010-2015
"working with Lorna was one of the most inspiring moments of my career. Her gentle nature combined with her incredible playing left me truly in awe. She has the remarkable ability to show everyone how to find their true sound. The work Lorna and Gaby did together helped me unlock doors in my playing through my body that had never been opened previously. I am forever changed by the experience and for that I am grateful." Izumi Miyahara Freelance flutist, Rice Graduate. Houston, TX PIFR 2014
"...changed the way I approach flute playing and transformed my perspective on the subtle joys in my life! It was truly a life changing experience for my career and heightened the self awareness of my body. It was wonderful to work with Wibb, and Lorna is such an inspiration!" Christy Kim (USC in Los Angeles) PIFR 2010
"..was the best week of my life so far..." Ashley Ko (University of Calgary alumni and winner of the Kiwanis Rose Bowl 2011) PIFR 2012
"to work with Wibb is a once in a lifetime opportunity that I would encourage any serious flutist to pursue. His teaching has influenced my playing on a deep level and I am forever grateful for the lessons he taught me. He is truly one of the great masters and having him teach a Masterclass in a place as stunningly beautiful as Pender seems like a dream come true"" Sarah Gieck Flute Instructor at University of Lethbridge/Flutist with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. www.gbflutes.com PIFR 2010-2015
"working with Lorna was one of the most inspiring moments of my career. Her gentle nature combined with her incredible playing left me truly in awe. She has the remarkable ability to show everyone how to find their true sound. The work Lorna and Gaby did together helped me unlock doors in my playing through my body that had never been opened previously. I am forever changed by the experience and for that I am grateful." Izumi Miyahara Freelance flutist, Rice Graduate. Houston, TX PIFR 2014
"...changed the way I approach flute playing and transformed my perspective on the subtle joys in my life! It was truly a life changing experience for my career and heightened the self awareness of my body. It was wonderful to work with Wibb, and Lorna is such an inspiration!" Christy Kim (USC in Los Angeles) PIFR 2010
"..was the best week of my life so far..." Ashley Ko (University of Calgary alumni and winner of the Kiwanis Rose Bowl 2011) PIFR 2012
A word from WIBB and Lorna
"was a lovely course and a lovely place...not one fly in the ointment " WIBB
"...was everything I had hoped it would be and more...provided an opportunity for us all (faculty included) to explore and refine our craft and our musicianship in what was truly a supportive environment ...so happy to see participants courageously step out of their comfort zone and find that they could fly......there was an integration of mind, body intellect and imagination" Lorna McGhee
"...was everything I had hoped it would be and more...provided an opportunity for us all (faculty included) to explore and refine our craft and our musicianship in what was truly a supportive environment ...so happy to see participants courageously step out of their comfort zone and find that they could fly......there was an integration of mind, body intellect and imagination" Lorna McGhee
More from participants
The Pender Island Flute Retreat is a gift to yourself. As a participant, the most important things I learned were self-acceptance and the tools to create a deeper level of artistry. Self-acceptance comes from the intense work....but more importantly, from the sense of community and caring of all the musicians in attendance. To this, I credit Gwen Klassen.... who constantly supported all our artistic and emotional needs as a worldwide community and what we contribute as artists.
The development of our artistry is done in this context with the unparalleled teaching of William Bennett and Lorna McGhee. They communicate through their playing and their teaching a firm belief that music is a form of communication, and that this communication can be developed. Not all artists who perform at their level are capable of teaching this way, but Mr. Bennett and Ms. McGhee can and do through their connection to each student- a remarkable feat in any educational capacity.
The Pender Island Flute Retreat experience is one I will hold in my heart for the rest of my life.
Laura Schulkind, M.M., M.A.E., studied with Catherine Curran, Leone Buyse, Samuel Baron, Jean Harling, Maralyn Prestia, Cobus du Toit and Brook Ferguson. PIFR 2016-2017
The Pender Island Flute Retreat is a gift to yourself. As a participant, the most important things I learned were self-acceptance and the tools to create a deeper level of artistry. Self-acceptance comes from the intense work....but more importantly, from the sense of community and caring of all the musicians in attendance. To this, I credit Gwen Klassen.... who constantly supported all our artistic and emotional needs as a worldwide community and what we contribute as artists.
The development of our artistry is done in this context with the unparalleled teaching of William Bennett and Lorna McGhee. They communicate through their playing and their teaching a firm belief that music is a form of communication, and that this communication can be developed. Not all artists who perform at their level are capable of teaching this way, but Mr. Bennett and Ms. McGhee can and do through their connection to each student- a remarkable feat in any educational capacity.
The Pender Island Flute Retreat experience is one I will hold in my heart for the rest of my life.
Laura Schulkind, M.M., M.A.E., studied with Catherine Curran, Leone Buyse, Samuel Baron, Jean Harling, Maralyn Prestia, Cobus du Toit and Brook Ferguson. PIFR 2016-2017
