Testimonials
We endeavour to cultivate a sense of safety, inclusion, community & connection,
while we explore the physical, mental and emotional aspects of flute performance and pedagogy.
while we explore the physical, mental and emotional aspects of flute performance and pedagogy.
From Performers, Participants, & Auditors
"Attending PIFR in 2019 was truly a life-changing event. I had pondered attempting a return to music school to follow this passion. PIFR “clicked” that decision, and 2 years later, I am fully enrolled at McGill’s Schulich School of Music.
Here is why: PIFR---
* is a complete immersion into the joys of music, and of fluting in particular. That spirit is contagious!
*has a world-renowned faculty. Not only do you learn directly from them, but also you share the week entirely with them!
*is multi-faceted. It’s not just playing a note; it’s about performing, knowing one’s self, and sharing feelings with others
*is surrounded by beauty- the sounds, the nature, the new and lasting friendships
I encourage all to consider this experience, and to allow it to serve your individual questions about career, your place in the world of music, relationship-building, and commitment to learning. The faculty is exceedingly generous; supporting them and the PIFR mission is yet another way to become part of this amazing family. Dr. Susan Day MD.
Here is why: PIFR---
* is a complete immersion into the joys of music, and of fluting in particular. That spirit is contagious!
*has a world-renowned faculty. Not only do you learn directly from them, but also you share the week entirely with them!
*is multi-faceted. It’s not just playing a note; it’s about performing, knowing one’s self, and sharing feelings with others
*is surrounded by beauty- the sounds, the nature, the new and lasting friendships
I encourage all to consider this experience, and to allow it to serve your individual questions about career, your place in the world of music, relationship-building, and commitment to learning. The faculty is exceedingly generous; supporting them and the PIFR mission is yet another way to become part of this amazing family. Dr. Susan Day MD.
PIFR 2021 - online
Dr. Julia Barnett- 3rd flute/ Piccolo with Billings Symphony and Midland Odessa Symphony PIFR 2021- Online!
"This year’s virtual PIFR 2021 gave me the opportunity to participate from Europe, without any travelling issues. The participants came from all over the world and the PIFR team made the schedule and time zones for everybody very convenient. The personality and professionalism of the teachers guarantied great process. They always asked the right questions and gave straightforward feedback, and everything happened in a caring and loving atmosphere. Although the course took place online, we all still felt the positive vibes of Pender Island! ..." Fatin Khuri soloist, former Co-Principal Flute Brussels Philharmonic PIFR 2021 - Online!
Nandin Baker - Recording Artist, Teacher, Orchestral Musician, www.nandinmusic.com
PIFR 2016, 2019 and PIFR 2021 - Online!
"The Impeccable Flutist" written reflections by Nandin
click here
PIFR 2016, 2019 and PIFR 2021 - Online!
"The Impeccable Flutist" written reflections by Nandin
click here
The retreat week was truly special to me. It has been two years since I attended William Bennett Flute Summer School in Woldingham and I was incredibly excited and happy to learn from Wibb and Lorna again. And it was wonderful to meet such an interesting and kind person as Gwen. I have learnt not only how to play with better sound and technique but how to play thoughtfully and feel the music with all my soul. I am inspired by Wibb, Lorna and Gwen and ready to practice as much as I need to do my best. I am so grateful to Gaby for her wisdom and knowledge she shared with all of the students. Now I do realize that I am at the only beginning of the long way to find the balance and peace in my body, but it feels easier because the first step has already been taken. Before the course started I would never think that anything on Zoom could be that sincere and lovely. I was very lucky to participate in Pender Island Flute Retreat." Svetlana Marenkova student in Moscow, Russia PIFR 2021 Online!
Lina Yang - Bachelor of Music Candidate at University of Ottawa PIFR 2021 - Online!
PIFR 2010-2019
A word from Lorna "was everything I had hoped it would be and more...provided an opportunity for us all (faculty included) to explore and refine our craft in what was truly a supportive environment...so happy to see participants courageously step out of their comfort zone and find they could fly....there was an integration of mind, body, intellect and imagination". Lorna McGhee . PIFR 2010-present
"...Gwen, you have put together an amazing, so well thought out retreat imbued with your positive, enthusiastic, and open attitude! I loved meeting everyone and hearing them play! Your coaching sessions were great and a perfect way for all of us to open up and learn new techniques for helping our flute and life practice.
Gaby’s informative and masterful Alexander Technique workshops, private work and hands-on work in Lorna’s master classes helped all of us with discovering how to play with ease and comfort. WIBB’s teaching is phenomenal in it’s liveliness and his breadth of knowledge about music and flute. He is absolutely amazing!
Lorna’s teaching and playing embodies the ultimate in expressivity, graciousness, and mind-body connection. Lorna and Gaby's collaborative teaching in the master classes was nothing short of magical. Michie Bennett’s animated classes about lip movement, tone and tuning were great. I was very grateful to be able to present an impromptu Body Mapping workshop for everyone too! Pender Island is a beautiful place, the food was delicious, and the accommodations were lovely. But most of all it’s the people –faculty and flutists, and the music that makes it unique and an incredible experience." Ruth Kasckow - www.flutemuse.com PIFR 2018
"The really unique part of the Pender Island Flute Retreat is the time given to nurturing a healthy mind and spirit. It seems to me that in the cut throat music industry this element of life and musicianship needs to be the most important foundation from which students can grow. And yet it is often neglected entirely.
This week has been a comprehensive exploration of healthy thinking patterns and habits. Some themes have stuck out in particular, either because they came up repeatedly, or because they are so important.
Firstly, we have a choice. No matter the circumstance, I get to choose how I will act and react. I do not need to be a victim of what happens around me. We all can access creativity. A part of this is knowing what I want, what my dream is.... If I am comfortable with who I am, it allows me to make healthy choices, and also to engage with and help others around me.
Resilience. This is so important – it can be grown through the above ideas, through mindfulness, through caring for yourself (as well as a compassionate outlook), through positive attitudes and a willingness to honestly examine our emotions, thoughts and how our body feels. I feel like the last point is particularly essential to take away from PIFR. It is easy to carry on these practices in a supportive environment that has been created by others – it is much harder to take a confident resilience with me no matter what situation I find myself in. Yet what a tool of empowerment that will be!" John Sutton - Flute Teacher, Performer Glasgow, Scotland. PIFR 2016, 2018.
For more click here.
This week has been a comprehensive exploration of healthy thinking patterns and habits. Some themes have stuck out in particular, either because they came up repeatedly, or because they are so important.
Firstly, we have a choice. No matter the circumstance, I get to choose how I will act and react. I do not need to be a victim of what happens around me. We all can access creativity. A part of this is knowing what I want, what my dream is.... If I am comfortable with who I am, it allows me to make healthy choices, and also to engage with and help others around me.
Resilience. This is so important – it can be grown through the above ideas, through mindfulness, through caring for yourself (as well as a compassionate outlook), through positive attitudes and a willingness to honestly examine our emotions, thoughts and how our body feels. I feel like the last point is particularly essential to take away from PIFR. It is easy to carry on these practices in a supportive environment that has been created by others – it is much harder to take a confident resilience with me no matter what situation I find myself in. Yet what a tool of empowerment that will be!" John Sutton - Flute Teacher, Performer Glasgow, Scotland. PIFR 2016, 2018.
For more click here.
"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 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
"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
"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
"...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