Claire James

My first experience playing the flute was in middle school concert band, but it wasn’t until high school that I started playing classical music and took a serious interest in the flute. I joined a small local youth symphony and started taking private lessons. Since then, I have obtained an undergraduate and a Master’s degree in flute performance, and have traveled around the world to play music. I have a career as a music educator and innovative solo and chamber musician. I love performing music as a meaningful and positive part my local community, helping my students reach the next level of mastery, and empowering fellow musicians to find their voice, communicate with their audiences and students, and get paid to do what they love. Following is more information about the different facets of my passion for music.

I am passionate about teaching because taking flute lessons truly changed my life. With the help of a great teacher, my world opened up. Despite being “behind” other teens that were planning on going to college for music, I worked hard and was accepted to a conservatory program at Longy School of Music of Bard College. I continued to work hard on both performing and my other classes. I went on to obtain my Master’s of Music from the University of Nebraska at Omaha from 2022-2024. During this degree I worked as the Graduate Assistant of music theory. After graduating I worked as the adjunct professor of music theory at UNO for the spring 2025 semester while the tenured music theory professor went on sabbatical.

During my time at Longy, I studied with Sergio Pallottelli, international soloist and chamber musician. I hold a Master’s of Music from the University of Nebraska at Omaha where I studied with Dr. Christine Erlander Beard, world renowned flutist and piccolo specialist. I believe my unique experience with music gives me insight into teaching flute and music theory, learning, forming practice habits, and the perseverance needed to be successful in music in any capacity, whether my students are exploring music for the first time, on track to be a professional, or pursuing a hobby.

I love performing, especially when I am collaborating with fellow musicians and artists to bring live music and artistry to my local community. I believe that music is vital in creating positive cultural changes.

In 2022 I established a concert series in collaboration with local restaurants, chefs, and sommeliers; hosting live concerts that combine culinary and musical artistry with research and creativity, called Sound Bites.

I am part of two innovative duos: Dovetail, a flute and saxophone duo with my partner in life, Robert Russell; and Incandescent, a flute and percussion duo with my friend and colleague, Dana LeVan. Robert and I love working together to create new repertoire for our instrument combo, whether it is arranging or commissioning works. We are passionate about bringing music to our local community. Dana and I are passionate about using our skills to create positive social change. We are currently working on a project to make classical music more inclusive for Native American composers by commissioning new works and creating a database of works by Native American composers.

You can read more about Claire at her website.

Valley View Music is excited to have a prolific teacher and player like Claire on board! If you are interested in taking lessons with Claire, please sign up in the form below and select her as your preferred teacher.