Dr. Kaylyn Kinney is a professor teaching flute, piano, and a variety of music theory, music history, and aural skills classes for a conservatory, college, and several state universities in New York and Colorado. Recently Dr. Kinney completed her Doctor of Musical Arts in Music Education at Boston University. Her previous degrees include a Bachelor’s degree in Flute Performance from Oberlin College, and a Masters degree in Flute Performance from Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Kinney also holds Professional Certificates in Arts Management and Nonprofit Management, and worked for the Colorado College Summer Music Festival and the Aspen Music Festival.

From personal thank you notes I know that my former students appreciate my ability to be compassionate and down to earth, while inspiring them to learn by encouraging excellence. In my own words, as a teacher I am the same way as I am person. Some music teachers can be insensitive and mean, taking the joy out of making music. My teaching uses a positive approach until the finished product includes interpretive musical details and assurance in performance. Using a positivity and detailed technique makes both sides of the experience- teaching and learning music- an enjoyable process. My teaching style has enabled me to successfully build students’ self-confidence, knowledge, and skills.

Learning should not subscribe to only one quintessential view or condone a superior method or style; it should motivate continual curiosity and learning. This needs to be personal, as each student can have individual musical experiences, and I do make adjustments for each person. My students are included in both deciding how to achieve their goals and interpret their music- I am not a dictator. As I steer and guide them, my aim is to create an atmosphere that encourages openness, where they are comfortable bringing up topics and asking questions. My answers usually include a discussion of options to make them well-rounded musicians, explaining what makes for the best musical choices.