Kind Words
Student Testimonials
“Searching for a good private lesson teacher was a challenge. Upon moving to Austin, Texas I never thought I would find a flute teacher that would challenge me like my flute teacher did in Denver, Colorado. Taking lessons in middle school didn’t feel as personal since they were focused on making your entire flute section excel at the same rate.
It wasn’t until my mom stumbled upon Jolene's website, and said “I think I found the lesson teacher for you Camila.” We requested an in-person lesson and that was when my riveting journey began.
Just by the first lesson I was already amazed by Jolene’s knowledge and was introduced to the 21st century style of flute playing. In other words, I never knew singing and playing was important or that maintaining a relaxed posture and releasing tension was such an important factor in being able to exhibit a warm sound on the flute.
This year marks my 5th year of taking lessons with Jolene, and because of her I have been able to accomplish many of the goals I wanted. She helped me with audition anxiety and I was able to make TMEA Region all four years of my high school career and even placed in Area for 3 years in a row. One of the largest goals she helped me accomplish was to make UT Butler School of Music. Thank you Jolene and keep being the wonderful teacher you are.”
Camila M. Round Rock, Texas
“After a great deal of research and observing her videos, I immediately knew Jolene was the teacher for me. As a retired Band/Orchestra director and former Principal Flutist for FCLO for over fifteen years, I was practicing a great deal but my technique, tone, and vibrancy showed no improvement. Add to that an unsuccessful shoulder replacement and previous accident that shattered my foot left me in a great deal of pain while I practiced. I was unable to hold my flute for no more than an hour.
After viewing and listening to Jolene I made the decision, downloaded Skype, and dove in. Jolene immediately addressed my pain issues and corrected my posture. After just one lesson, my flute sound had improved. Her lessons are so thorough and organized, and she has a marvelous "Skeleton man" to assist in understanding the importance of balance to acquire freedom to breathe and play expressively.
I'm now playing better than I ever have in my life and enjoy my daily practice again, PAIN FREE. I accomplish more in less time during my daily practice but I'm now able to practice longer and enjoy it so much more. My tone is beautiful and getting better daily and technique is becoming easy and improving at a remarkable pace. Just for fun I decided to pull out some orchestral excerpts and was amazed how easy they were to play.
I've studied with principal flutists from major orchestras but never experienced such rapid achievement and improvement. Jolene is a marvelous instructor who teaches with a positive attitude and encouragement. I look forward to my weekly lessons. Thank you for giving me back my love of music Jolene, you're the BEST.”
Wanda A., Arizona
“I learned a great deal during my time working with Jolene, encompassing technique, musical expression but also the physical aspects of playing through body mapping. She is both professional and supportive in her approach. I highly recommend her as a teacher.”
Louise, Malaysia
“I would definitely recommend Jolene to prospective students. She is an extremely patient and kind person and always has a smile on her face. She is always willing to take as many approaches to a problem as needed and is one of the most skilled flute players I know. She has so much dedication to the musical arts and to her students”
Lia K., Austin, TX
“I have a background in clarinet and admired Jolene’s content for a while. She posted she was accepting new students and despite being nervous, I jumped at the opportunity. After a lesson or two, I felt incredibly safe to explore flute fundamentals and find what works best for me.
Now, after a few months of lessons, I get excited for lessons because of the progress I’ve made and the different approaches Jolene uses which help push me to continue growing. I would strongly recommend Jolene to students who are looking for a kind and patient teacher.”
Damien, Online Student
“I am an adult amateur who stumbled across Jolene's instructional videos on YouTube. Her amazing tone and ease of playing captured my attention. When I discovered she offers online lessons, I enthusiastically contacted her.
Her focus on relaxed posture, tension-free playing and emphasis on managing the airstream have helped me to immediately improve my tone quality and support, especially at the end of long phrases. I highly recommend Jolene as a flute instructor.
She is excellent at communicating her thoughts, giving suggestions for how to visualize concepts and encouraging her students to experiment, reflect and improve.”
PG, Online Student
“I decided to return to playing the flute after 45 years of not playing. I found Jolene online & her home was close to my work, so I emailed her and we started our lessons.
That has been almost 1 year ago and I love playing again. Jolene is very patient and knowledgable. The surprising part for me is how therapeutic and fun it is to play. Jolene has been key in making that happen!!”
Cindy Y., Austin, TX
“I have had several lessons with Jolene via Skype over the last couple of months and have thoroughly enjoyed the experience. She creates a feeling of safe space that means I feel confident to play and to discuss the areas I feel are not working for me.
Jolene is extremely knowledgeable and always has strategies at hand to aid me in improving the various elements of my playing that I am focussing on. She has a broad knowledge of helpful resources and exercises and is generous in sharing information. I can honestly say that I have come away from every lesson have learnt something tangible that has had a positive impact on my playing.
I would highly recommend that anyone thinking about Skype lessons just go ahead and book the trail lesson now!”
T, International Online Student
Jolene has a vast reservoir of helpful resources, advice, knowledge and experience to help students with their challenges. She is a kind, warm, encouraging teacher, and I have found Skype lessons to be a worthwhile endeavor.
Ann, Online Student
“Jolene exceeded my expectations right from the first few Skype lessons. I didn't think so much could be done! She is able to notice the differences in the sound I make when I use different techniques, and even hear when I add a slight vibrato to highlight a note.
She was able to fix a finger positioning problem I had, and also taught me a more comfortable way to hold the flute. All done from thousands of miles away! If you ever find yourself unsure of whether flute lessons can work remotely, give Jolene a try.”
Lucio, Online Student
I wholeheartedly recommend flute lessons with Jolene. I am a semi professional flute player that has been taking online lessons with Jolene on a sporadic basis as well as following her YouTube videos & recordings for many years.
I felt a calling to reach out to Jolene because I knew she was a teacher that could help me reconnect my mind, body, heart, & flute together again, when it often feels so fragmented. I was drawn to her kind, sensitive, empathetic, introspective, thoughtful, self-accepting approach. You can hear this in the narratives she speaks out loud during her own recorded practice sessions. It is clearly the same tone she offers to everyone she works with that makes me feel safe to bring my whole self as a flute player to our lessons. (Not to mention that her own artistry & technical skill are mind blowing & super inspirational).
I also love how she weaves in the teachings of many flute players, and adapts them for any challenge at hand. I could go on about the technical, tone, & musical improvements I experience in my flute playing during our lessons, but to me what is most special is the blend of these effective approaches to teaching flute along with the safety of the space she creates. And how much lighter I feel after each lesson.
I believe this kind of container for learning and refining our musical crafts is so very special, and so very rare. Anyone who has the opportunity to study flute with Jolene in person or online will be incredibly lucky!”
E.H., online student
“I took lessons with Ms. Madewell for about two years in middle school and she helped me a lot during that time. She has a very creative approach to teaching the flute and always presents different ideas to work on music. She also introduced ways to tell a story through music to me for the first time, something I hadn’t done with my previous flute teachers.
During my lessons with her, she gave me resources and exercises that I still use to this day in my flute practice. Ms. Madewell is a great flute teacher and I would definitely recommend her to anyone learning how to play the flute.”
Alicia, Austin, TX
“Jolene has re-ignited my love for playing the flute!! Picking this instrument back up after a hiatus of 30 years was scary. I lacked confidence in my abilities to be able to even play again. Jolene has taught me completely different ways to approach my practice time.
She taught me how to relax and become in tune with my entire body, from my head down to my feet. This process of body mapping made a huge difference in how relaxed I am when I am playing. Her sweet and subtle ways to have me make corrections and suggestions is a true gift that not many instructors have.
I have learned to let go of my old habits from decades ago and am learning a new, relaxed way of play! She has a strong ability to pick up on things that need changed, tweaked and improved. Her attention to detail and passion for flute playing is amazing! And the convenience of not having to leave my home is immeasurable.
We have wonderfully fun, engaging and productive lessons, even though we are a thousand miles apart. Anyone considering Skype lessons will not be disappointed by choosing Jolene as their teacher!”
Veronica H., Illinois
“As an adult student that had prior experience years ago, the quest to pick up my flute again and return to my practice was a daunting one. When initially looking for a teacher, I knew that I wanted a teacher that could meet me where I was and build back my fundamentals.
Jolene has helped me tremendously to become more self-aware in not only my technique, but also my thought process and how I approach learning new music or music you've already learned. I feel as though I've gained back my confidence that I've previously had and then some.
I highly recommend Jolene to anyone who may be interested in returning to the flute as an adult student!”
Renzo V., Online Student
“I am a returning (online) adult flute student and I am enjoying my lessons immensely with Jolene. In just a short space of time, I have made considerable progress with my technique and I feel highly motivated to practice.
She is a most encouraging, kind, inspiring and supportive teacher. She is highly knowledgeable in her discipline and always willing to listen and answer questions.
Flute playing for me has become so much more vibrant and fun through her teaching and I always look forward to my flute lessons with her. I highly recommend her Flute teaching studio.”
Pauline, Online Student
“I started off as a flutist in 6th grade and I had joined private lessons with Mrs.Jolene towards the beginning of spring. I had no experience whatsoever and I got to learn so much from her.
Even though the pandemic hit, Mrs.Jolene was there to help me understand my instrument and made it so fun and exciting as well! Though I was online I was able to explore my tone and develop great sounds with her as my teacher.
I've worked for 3 years with Mrs. Jolene and have learned so much from her and am so grateful for all that she's taught me!! She is an outstanding teacher and can help anyone learn the flute and develop a rich & beautiful sound.”
V.C, Austin, Texas
“I found Jolene on Instagram. Inspired by her colorful posts and theories about flute playing, I emailed her about my flute stories. Within couple of hours, I got a very long and genuine reply from her. And that's how I started having Skype lessons with her.
I never tried Skype lessons and never thought this would work. But Jolene knows a lot of "tricks" that helped me to understand her easier. We often spend a great amount of time discussing the philosophy and the mindset of flute playing, those ideas are very refreshing and inspiring to me, and it has made a great impact to my flute playing.
Jolene is a creative artist and experienced flutist. I absolutely adore her color coding systems and her "color imaginary" theory while playing the flute. It helps me to focus more on the music itself rather than struggling with the techniques. She always encourages me to be bold and confident, and she will recommend me materials that can help me strengthen my technical weaknesses.
It's always a blast to have Skype lessons with her. I absolutely recommend Jolene as a teacher!”
Xiao, New York City
“I would recommend Jolene as a teacher. I have improved my sound and found a better understanding of how I can use my air and use my whole body to produce a beautiful sound.”
M.L., Austin, TX