lessons, performances, and positivity
My mission for my flute studio is to help students build confidence in their flute playing.
I want my students to be set up for success all while being constantly positively reinforced. There is no room for negativity in any way with my students - I make sure of it!
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Fluteful Thinking + Positive Thinking
a little about me...
My name is Taylor Hesskamp, though you can just call me Taylor!
Music is my true passion, and I am honored to share it with others as a flute teacher and performer. My journey in music has been an incredible adventure, filled with growth, inspiration, and unforgettable experiences.
In 2019 I took a leap of faith and moved to London to study at the Royal College of Music where I had the privilege of pursuing my master's degree in flute performance. While I was at the RCM I made many friends from all over the world and got to meet and work with some of my biggest flute idols! I was so fortunate to study flute with Gitte Marcusson and Adam Walker, piccolo with Stewart McIlwham, and even baroque flute with Rachel Brown! It was during this period that my passion for music blossomed and I truly fell in love with the flute and music in a whole new way. It truly changed my life!
Before my time at the Royal College of Music, I earned my bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville where I studied with Dr. Shelly Monier. I got to do some pretty fun things here - including performing my first concerto ever when I was a sophomore!
Currently, I have the absolute pleasure of teaching flute at many different places, and to many different ages! I teach college students at McKendree University and Jefferson College, high school, middle school, and elementary flutes at Palen Music Center and in the Mehlville school district, and even general early music lessons to ages 2-4 at Oakhaven Montessori!
Beyond music, I cherish the time spent with loved ones. My husband and our adorable dog, Penny, bring immense joy to my life. In my downtime, I explore my passion for photography, crocheting, experimenting in the kitchen, and playing video games. My favorite ones are: Sims, Legend of Zelda BOTW and TOTK, Animal Crossing, and any cozy game, really! Fun fact, in the year between me teaching and graduating college, I was a professional video game streamer!
Thank you so much for checking out my website and learning more about me! I hope to learn more about you in the future as well and hope that you consider joining the Fluteful Thinking Studio!
here, my goal is to get students where THEY want to be in their playing.
- You can catch me croteching in my free time! I crochet everything from blankets to stuffed animals
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- I make the best burger and steak
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- Video games...need I say more?
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- I love baking (and eating) bread
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- Trying new things is my jam!!
fun facts :)
read my professional bio!
Taylor Hesskamp is an enthusiastic teacher and performer in the greater St. Louis area. She is currently the flute professor at McKendree University and Jefferson College. In 2021, she graduated with her masters degree in flute performance from the world-renowned Royal College of Music which was ranked as the top institution in the world for Performing Arts in the prestigious QS World University Rankings in 2023 and 2022. While at the RCM, Taylor studied flute with Gitte Marcusson and Adam Walker, as well as piccolo with Stewart McIlwham and baroque flute with Rachel Brown. She had the opportunity to perform with the RCM Philharmonic, RCM Symphony Orchestra, RCM Opera, and many chamber groups during her time there. Taylor received her bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 2019 where she studied with Dr. Shelly Monier. In her time there she performed with the Wind Symphony, Orchestra, and Flute Choir. During her time at SIUe, she won the Concerto Competition as a sophomore and performed the first movement of CPE Bach’s Concerto in d Minor with the Orchestra. Recently, Taylor was invited to perform Reinecke’s ‘Ballade’ with the Jefferson College Wind Ensemble. Additionally, she took on a long term substitute teaching position at Washington Middle School and Buerkle Middle School as the assistant band director. During that time, she ran multiple sectionals and helped out with all instruments as needed. Taylor was a member of the St. Louis Youth Symphony Orchestra for three years where she played flute and piccolo. She was awarded first place in the Flute Society of St. Louis competition in both high school and college, and first prize in the Central Ohio Flute Association competition. Taylor has attended flute camps including the Iowa Flute Intensive, Whole Flutes, the Consummate Flutist, the Wildacres Flute Retreat, and the Aria Summer Academy where she was able to perform in many masterclasses. Apart from the colleges Taylor teaches at, she also teaches private flute lessons at Palen Music and early music classes to students ages two to four years old at Oakhaven Montessori. She also acts as a private lesson instructor in the Mehlville school district teaching the beginning flutes at Buerkle Middle School and eighth graders at Washington Middle School. She loves spreading her love for music to absolutely anyone willing to learn. In her free time, Taylor loves to spend time with her husband and their dog, Penny. She values her time with family and friends. Taylor also enjoys photography, crocheting hats, cooking, and playing video games!
