Central Coast Conservatorium flute teacher Rosalie Bourne credits her first music teacher – and listening to her grandmother play classical pieces on the piano – with igniting her passion for music
“I began to play the flute when I was seven and my wonderful teacher, Nicola Snekker, developed my musicality as well as my skill as a flute player,” says Rosalie, who plays many instruments but says her ‘first love’ is the flute
“She encouraged and challenged me and was instrumental in my decision to further my studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
No wonder then that now, as a highly-respected flute player and teacher, Rosalie enjoys nurturing and developing her own students
“Whether they are beginners picking up their flute for the very first time or much more experienced players, it is the students that make me want to come to work each day.
While there have been many highlights during her music career Rosalie says “the most rewarding have been the achievements of my students and sharing in their and their families’ happiness as they celebrate”
Rosalie brings broad-ranging skills and experience to the classroom, with years also spent working in the corporate sector as an HR consultant for companies including IBM, Ilco Unican and NSW Department of Commerce.
She has also owned and operated her own flute studio and performed with a number of orchestras and played for several audio productions. Recent recordings include Random Earth Band’s album Ocean Song and Christoper Sainsbury’s 2016 Scar Tree for Primal Dance Company.
Rosalie has worked as both a classroom music teacher and flute tutor teacher in public and private primary and high schools across Sydney and the Central Coast. Now in a senior teaching role at the Central Coast Conservatorium, Rosalie gives private lessons as well as teaching with the Conservatorium’s Schools Program and developing flute ensemble
She says her primary aim at the Conservatorium is to help students develop and achieve their own goals as flute players. “For those who choose to do so, I know I can assist them gain outstanding results in their grade exams,” says Rosalie, adding that past students have achieved top results in trial and HSC music performances (Music 1, Music 2 and Extension).
“They have also been successful in gaining entry into tertiary music courses, have been selected for student development opportunities with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Staatskapelle Berlin (the resident orchestra of the Berlin State Opera).
About Rosali
An active and committed member of the Australian flute community Rosalie completed both her undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and has studied with Suzie Miller, Michael Scott, James Kortum and Janet Webb, as well as participating in masterclasses with many international artists
Rosalie has written several technique publications including Grow Your Technique for all band instruments – a NSW Department of Education cross-curricular technique extension for Stages 2-3 Band Program students
She also founded the Central Coast Summer Flutation Event (2015-2018) and has helped manage the Australian Flute Festival (2013, 2015). Rosalie has also been invited to be an adjudicator at the NSW Flute Society Eisteddfod and guest teacher and masterclass presenter at Sydney Flute School.
