Kathleen Schoen / All the Flutes /
Kathleen Schoen
I was born in Montréal, raised in Europe and Canada, and started playing the flute in elementary school band. I earned a Bachelor of Music degree from University of B.C., with a concentration in flute and music history, then went on to study in Toronto at U of T and the Royal Conservatory of Music. After university, I continue to study with master teachers at various summer programs and artist residencies.
I started doing numerous chamber music performances while I was in Toronto, as part of the Musical Performance and Communication Program at U of T and the Baroque Chamber Music program at the Royal Conservatory. After returning to BC, I toured throughout western Canada with several chamber music groups, playing in venues ranging from tiny northern villages to Parliament Hill on Canada Day.
I taught at several colleges and music schools in the Lower Mainland of BC, including Douglas College and Fraser Valley College. When I moved to Alberta I was invited to teach at Lakeland College, then at Augustana which later became part of the University of Alberta. I also became involved in Suzuki Method music instruction, and have participated in a number of international Suzuki conferences and institutes in both North and South America, as a student, a teacher, and most recently as a Teacher Trainer.
Currently I am Music Program Director of the Edmonton Suzuki Flute and Recorder Society, an organization which I founded in order to meet the demand for Suzuki Method instruction. I have also been a sessional instructor at the University of Alberta, Augustana campus. I perform locally and on tour with the Schoen Duo, as well as freelancing with many other groups in the Edmonton area.