VALDOSTA STATE UNIVERSITY

The VSU flute studio is a close knit, supportive community, where students can grow and thrive as musicians and people.
​Some of the standout features of a music degree at VSU include:
  • EXCELLENT ENSEMBLES: Students have the opportunity to participate in everything from flute choir to marching band to  a top caliber wind ensemble to a professional symphony orchestra.
  • INTENSIVE APPLIED STUDY: VSU performance majors have two one-hour lessons per week - double the amount of lesson time in most college programs. We also have a weekly studio class focused on scales and fundamentals, orchestral excerpts and audition preparation, job/grad school application preparation, and other flute-related topics.
  • FLEXIBLE DEGREE PROGRAMS: Students can pursue a BM in performance or a BA following a general track, which offers flexible course loads allowing for a double major or minor in another field, or an education track, which culminates in the innovative MAT (Master of Arts in Teaching) with only one additional year of study.
  • AFFORDABLE EDUCATION: Students enjoy VSU's low tuition, and students from all bordering states qualify for in-state tuition. Additionally, VSU students can qualify for the Hope scholarship, as well as merit, academic, and Honors College scholarships.
  • GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS: VSU prioritizes sending students into the world with as much experience as possible. Graduate flute students pursuing the Master of Music in Performance have the opportunity to gain valuable teaching and working experience while covering the cost of their degree and earning a small stipend. 
  • MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING: Graduate students in Music Education receive a master’s degree with only one extra year of study after completing the Bachelor of Arts in music degree, graduating with more experience and the qualifications to be paid at the master’s level in many states across the nation.  This typically equates to about a $5,000 increase in annual salary. 
  • VALDOSTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: Through a partnership with the award winning Valdosta Symphony Orchestra, principal positions are played by VSU professors, and students have the opportunity to audition to play alongside their mentors and other professional musicians.      
Contact Dr. Sherer to set up a free demo lesson.

private lessons

Dr. Sherer is available for a limited number of private lessons for motivated pre-college students in the Valdosta, GA area or online. For more than 15 years, her students have consistently earned competition prizes, positions in all of the major Atlanta area youth orchestras and GMEA All-State Ensembles (with regular first chair placements), college scholarships, and leadership positions in their school ensembles. They have attended prestigious summer programs, including Interlochen Center for the Arts, Eastern Music Festival, Sewanee Summer Music Festival, Georgia Governor's Honors Program, Atlanta Chamber Music Festival, and have traveled to Italy to perform at the Orfeo Music Festival. They have pursued additional study at the Oberlin Conservatory, Florida State University, Tennessee Tech University, and more, and several have gone on to pursue successful careers in music. Contact Dr. Sherer for more info or to schedule a free trial lesson.

orfeo music festival

Come and study flute in the beautiful Italian Alps! Each year, the picturesque town of Vipiteno hosts a wealth of musicians from all over the world. Students will attend countless solo chamber music performances by renowned professional musicians, while studying and performing themselves. On weekends, students can participate in day trips to some of the most influential musical cities in the area, including Venice, Florence, and Salzburg. Join us for this transformative experience. Visit the Orfeo website for more info.

GMEA ALL-STATE COACHINGS

Dr. Sherer has coached students to successful All-State auditions for more than ten years. Her students have routinely earned positions in all of the GMEA All-State ensembles, including multiple first chair placements. Dr. Sherer is available to coach middle school or high school flute sections, and is offering a free 20-minute private coaching session to any student preparing for the All-State audition. Click below to view videos and annotated copies of the etudes or to sign up for a coaching session.
© Jessica Sherer, 2020. Photography courtesy of Alice Park.